Carrie Kay Tapia

Carrie Tapia has practiced exclusively family law since 2015. Since joining The Draper Law Firm in 2022, Ms. Carrie K. Tapia has led the firm's Tarrant County operations, with a practice focused primarily on divorce and child custody litigation for clients in Tarrant, Denton, and Dallas counties. She also represents clients in child support cases, adoptions, and modifications, and is involved with Child Protective Services (CPS), from prevention and advice to appeals through Administrative Review of Investigative Findings (ARIF), the process by which a parent can challenge a CPS finding.

Carrie brings a powerful blend of compassion and courtroom skill to every family law case she handles. With a background in social work and firsthand experience as a conservatorship caseworker at CPS, Carrie has built her legal career on a deep understanding of the challenges families face—and how to help them move forward with confidence.

Carrie also works with the firm’s robust appellate practice. Notably, she was on the legal team representing the prevailing mother in a protective order case challenging the constitutionality of a lifetime protective order against a mother as to her children as a de facto termination of parental rights (Stary v. Ethridge, 712 S.W.3d 584 (Tex. 2025)) and was lead appellate counsel representing the prevailing mother in a mandamus proceeding regarding the lack of standing of a nonparent (In re A.G., 2025 WL 294159 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Jan. 24, 2025, orig. proceeding) (mem. op.)).

Before becoming a lawyer, Carrie earned her Bachelor's and Master of Science degrees in Social Work, then worked directly with families in crisis. That foundation continues to guide her approach today: empathetic, strategic, and always centered on the client's needs.
Clients appreciate Carrie's clear communication, steady guidance, and meticulous preparation. She takes time to explain all legal options, works collaboratively to set goals, and empowers her clients to make informed decisions about their future. Whether resolving disputes through negotiation or fighting for her clients in court, Carrie is a dedicated and fearless advocate.

Carrie is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization—an honor held by fewer than 900 attorneys in Texas. She has also been nominated by her peers as a Fort Worth Magazine Top Attorney (2018-2024, 2026) and a 360 West Magazine Top Attorney (2021-2024), in addition to being named a Rising Star in the Super Lawyers publication (2020-2025) and being named on the Best Lawyers in America list for the 2027 publication.

When you need an attorney who listens, understands, and fights for what matters most, Carrie Tapia is here to help.