Aimee Pingenot Key

"I am compassionate, straightforward, and focused with my clients to help them solve problems wisely and realistically to achieve their most important goals."


Call Aimee Pingenot Key: 214-373-7676 Dallas | Plano | Midland

Schedule a consultation with Aimee Pingenot Key

Aimee Pingenot Key, Board Certified Family Law Attorney at Goranson Bain Ausley (Dallas, Plano, and Midland)

About Aimee Pingenot Key

Conscientious parents and spouses navigating some of life’s most difficult family circumstances turn to Aimee Pingenot Key. Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, she brings a unique background in social work and psychology to her practice. Aimee guides clients through divorce and child custody matters, including cases involving mental health, addiction, and high conflict, where the emotional stakes are often as significant as the legal ones.

Her clinical training shapes how she approaches every case. She recognizes when a co-parent’s behavior may indicate a mental health or substance-use issue, when a child’s stability is at risk, and how to build parenting plans and court orders that hold up under pressure. Aimee works to protect both her clients and their children, helping them make decisions that are financially sound and emotionally manageable. She also advises clients on the financial issues that often accompany divorce, including property division, family businesses, prenuptial agreements, spousal maintenance, and other support matters.  Aimee begins each case by understanding what matters most to the family in front of her, then develops a strategy tailored to those priorities. Master-credentialled in Collaborative Divorce, she resolves many matters out of court and works to minimize conflict whenever possible. When litigation is necessary, she is a skilled advocate who protects her clients’ interests while keeping the focus on their children’s long-term well-being. 

Featured Video

What Sets Her Apart

  • A Social Work and Psychology Background. Before law school, Aimee earned a Master of Science in Social Work and a degree in psychology and served as program director of a child-visitation agency. That experience gives her a deeper understanding of the emotional and family dynamics behind divorce and custody disputes.
  • Board Certified in Family Law. Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2012. The distinction reflects substantial experience, demonstrated competence, and peer-recognized expertise in family law.
  • Recognized in Three Family Law Practice Areas. Named in The Best Lawyers in America for Family Law, Family Law Mediation, and Collaborative Law.
  • Experienced in Collaborative Divorce. Aimee is a Credentialed Collaborative Professional with Collaborative Divorce Texas. She helps many clients resolve disputes without going to court.
  • More Than Two Decades in Family Law. More than 20 years representing families through negotiated settlements, collaborative resolutions, and contested trials.
  • Experience With Complex Property and Finances. Aimee handles divorces involving closely held businesses, substantial assets, and disputed property. She has co-authored case-law updates on Texas property law.

Practice Focus

Aimee advises clients in family law matters that combine emotional complexity, contested parenting, and significant financial questions:

  • Prenuptial and Postnuptial agreements. Aimee represents clients in complex premarital and postmarital agreements, including matters involving multigenerational wealth and substantial assets. She is known for her modern, collaborative approach that helps couples reach durable agreements and provide a clear roadmap for dissolution with clarity and respect. 
  • Mental Health and Addiction in Divorce. Aimee represents clients divorcing a partner with addiction or mental illness. She recognizes the clinical signals that affect custody and safety.
  • High-Conflict Divorce. When a spouse is hostile, controlling, or has a personality disorder, Aimee works to de-escalate the conflict. She secures orders detailed enough to hold up later.
  • High Net Worth Divorce. In divorces with substantial assets, Aimee addresses business valuations, executive compensation, and contested property. She grounds each step in careful financial analysis.
  • Child Custody. Aimee approaches custody from the child’s perspective first. She builds conservatorship and parenting-schedule arrangements that work for both homes.
  • Family Partner Violence and Divorce. For clients leaving an abusive relationship, Aimee moves quickly on protective orders. She plans carefully around the client’s safety.
  • Collaborative Divorce. Aimee guides couples through the collaborative process toward a private, out-of-court resolution. It keeps control of the outcome in their hands.
  • Divorce Mediation. Aimee uses mediation to help couples reach durable agreements. It avoids the cost and strain of a contested trial.

Recognition and Credentials

Best Lawyers has recognized Aimee in family law since 2015. She was named Best Lawyers in Dallas: Family Law by D Magazine 5 times, including 2024, 2025, and 2026. Texas Super Lawyers has named her every year since 2006 — first as a Rising Star and, since 2014, as a Super Lawyer — including selections to its Top 50 Women and Top 100 Dallas/Fort Worth lists. She has appeared on LawDragon’s 500 Leading Family Lawyers since 2024, and she holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and a past President of the Collin County Bar Association’s Family Law Section (2017–2018). She is currently the chair of the Dallas Bar Association’s Family Law Section.

Aimee consistently contributes to the continuing legal education that trains other family lawyers. She has co-authored the State Bar of Texas’s Family Law at Your Fingertips series and presented on topics from drafting enforceable orders to the role of mental health in family law cases. She also writes for the firm’s Learning Center, including a recent post-divorce checklist for clients rebuilding after a divorce is final.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Types of Family Law Cases Does Aimee Pingenot Key Handle?

Aimee handles complex divorce, child custody, property division, post-divorce modifications, and pre- and postnuptial agreements. She concentrates on cases involving mental health, addiction, family violence, and high conflict. She represents clients through Collaborative Divorce, mediation, and litigation, and has been Board Certified in Family Law since 2012.

Does Aimee Handle Divorces Involving a Spouse’s Mental Illness or Substance Abuse?

Yes. These cases are a core part of her practice. Her clinical training helps her recognize how a partner’s mental illness or substance use affects custody, safety, and settlement. She focuses on keeping clients and children safe while steering the case toward workable outcomes.

When Does Aimee Recommend a Collaborative Divorce?

Aimee is Master Credentialed in Collaborative Divorce through Collaborative Divorce Texas. She recommends this process when both spouses want to maintain greater control over decisions, explore creative options, settle privately, and maintain a working relationship, especially when children are involved. She is candid when a case instead calls for Collaborative Divorce or the courtroom.

Can Aimee Help With High-Conflict Custody Cases?

Yes. Aimee regularly represents parents in contested, high-conflict custody matters. These often involve a co-parent’s personality disorder, addiction, or controlling behavior. She keeps the child’s needs and stability at the center, and works to keep the case from escalating.

What Does It Cost to Work With Aimee?

Goranson Bain Ausley works on a retainer and hourly billing model. Because every family law matter is different, retainer amounts vary with the complexity of the issues and the scope of representation — and cases involving mental health, addiction, or high conflict can vary widely. During an initial consultation, clients learn about the firm’s fee structure and what to expect.

Client Reviews

She is very bright and focused on the business at hand. She can be tough at times, but she can also be compassionate as she helped me get through some rough moments in my divorce process. I have nothing but praise for Aimee and her staff. Without hesitation, I would recommend her to anybody that needs a family law attorney. – Fred
I would highly recommend Aimee. She kept me sane, kept me up to date at all times and worked tirelessly to resolve my case in the least expensive manner as possible. She is worth her weight in gold. Her team is on target, up to date and was always there for me when I needed them. She is an amazing person as well as an excellent lawyer! – Lea
When you’re going through confusing and difficult times, you would always HOPE you would be able to find an attorney like Aimee Key. A perfect combination of knowledge, empathy, professionalism, efficiency, clarity, and communicativeness made her and her team utterly reliable and essential. She was firm when she needed to be firm, protective, and patient. In fact, I would go as far as saying that at one of the scariest times of my life, she was a rock and I really appreciated everything she did for me and my family. Can’t recommend highly enough. – Patrick
Aimee Key and Krystal Bell are phenomenal. Literally, could not have asked anything more of them! They were responsive, professional, and most importantly effective. You won’t find better counsel and best hope that they are on your side and not across the table. – Tavis
I’m forever thankful to Aimee, Caroline, and Linden. These three helped me navigate the world of divorce – a place I never thought I’d be. From the start, Aimee clearly laid out the timeline and what to expect during the process. They are a highly professional team – very similar to the experience I have working with lawyers in the corporate world in the past. What I liked most about this team is their approach. Unlike some lawyers, they are always looking to deescalate things and are thinking about the long term goal – setting both parties up for a successful co-parenting relationship in the future. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Thank you Aimee, Linden, and Caroline!! – Colin D.
I was very grateful to have the support of GBA and my attorney, Aimee Key, during this process. In addition to deep legal expertise, Aimee brings a sense of compassion when it’s needed most. I was extremely happy with the level of attention and responsiveness I received! – Matt D.
I was scared going into this process, but from the very beginning Aimee Key was honest about what to expect and how things would likely end. She was both incredibly professional and genuinely caring throughout a very difficult, year-long divorce. Aimee and her co-counsel were a class above opposing counsel, and in the end, she was right. She is truly the best—not just an outstanding attorney, but someone I now consider a friend. – Damian V.
Thank you to Aimee and her team! They were knowledgeable, and calm under pressure, which made a challenging process feel much more manageable. Their guidance was clear, strategic, and focused on reaching a fair and workable outcome. I appreciated their professionalism and strong advocacy throughout the process and would highly recommend them to anyone navigating a custody matter. – Kathryn N.
I recommend Goranson Bain Ausley for your family court needs. I have worked with Aimee Key and her assistant Caroline and they were fair and balanced in their approach, practical in their execution and knowledgeable in managing the court systems for family. Aimee was responsive and engaging and helped me make sense of what I was walking through – I’m sure she could do the same for you. They work as a team – so you are never without the right resource for support. You won’t be disappointed. Thank you for your help, Aimee and team! – Becky H.
I highly recommend Aimee Pingenot Key. She was professional, knowledgeable, and responsive when it mattered most. She clearly explained my options so I could make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary legal costs. Her background as a former social worker made a real difference in a contentious divorce. She understood not just the legal issues, but the emotional and interpersonal dynamics involved. Her strategic advice and ability to handle difficult situations with both skill and empathy were invaluable. If you want an attorney who combines legal expertise with practical judgment and compassion, I highly recommend her. – Valerie L.
Working with my attorney (Aimee) during my divorce was one of the few steady, reassuring parts of an otherwise incredibly difficult time in my life. While I was often coming from a place of hurt, she consistently brought clarity, perspective, and professionalism to every conversation. She had the foresight to guide me toward decisions that were not only fair, but truly in the best interest of my child and my long-term future. What stood out most was her balance of compassion and expertise. She never dismissed how I was feeling, but she also never lost sight of what would matter most down the road. That kind of guidance is invaluable in a process where emotions can easily take over. She was also extremely responsive and accessible, even going so far as to share her personal cell phone number for quick questions or concerns. That level of availability made a huge difference and helped me feel supported every step of the way. I’m incredibly grateful for her counsel and would highly recommend her to anyone navigating a divorce, especially those who need someone who can see the bigger picture when it’s hardest to do so yourself. – Sarah B.
Aimee is top notch! – David S.
I cannot say enough incredible things about Aimee. From the very beginning, she made what could have been an overwhelming and emotional process feel manageable, clear, and handled with the utmost care. Aimee is not only exceptionally knowledgeable and strategic, but also deeply compassionate and understanding every step of the way. I always felt heard, supported, and genuinely cared for—not just as a client, but as a person navigating a major life transition. What stood out most was how fiercely she advocated for me while still maintaining professionalism and integrity throughout the process. I truly felt like I had someone in my corner at all times, guiding me with confidence, clarity, and empathy. If you are looking for an attorney who combines expertise with heart, I could not recommend Aimee more highly. I am beyond grateful for her support and the outcome she helped me achieve. – Lana M.
I had a great experience with Goranson Bain Ausley Family Law. From the very beginning, their team was professional, responsive, and genuinely compassionate about my situation. They took the time to explain every step of the process clearly and made sure I felt informed and supported throughout. What really stood out was their attention to detail and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome. I always felt like my case was a priority, and their expertise gave me a lot of confidence during a very stressful time. I highly recommend Goranson Bain Ausley Family Law to anyone in need of knowledgeable and caring family law representation. Aimee is the BEST!!!! – Elizabeth R.
Going through a divorce is one of the hardest things a person can face, and I can’t say enough about how incredible Aimee and her team was throughout the entire process. From day one, they communicated clearly and consistently, always keeping me informed and never leaving me in the dark. When things got stressful or complicated, they handled everything with professionalism and calm that honestly put me at ease. I always felt supported , like I wasn’t just a case number, but a real person going through something difficult. The outcome exceeded my expectations, and I truly believe that’s a direct result of their hard work and dedication. If you’re looking for an attorney who will fight for you while treating you with compassion and respect, look no further. Highly recommend! – Victor H.
Thank you so much to Aimee Key and Caroline Rose for guiding me through divorce and such a difficult time in my life. At each step they turned overwhelm into smaller, doable tasks, answered questions with experience and compassion, and made recommendations that I continue to be thankful for today. As a non-confrontational person, I needed someone who would advocate for my best interests and ensure that I received a fair outcome. While the divorce was finalized almost two years ago, I recently reached back out to them for their expertise for a modification. I know they care about me and my family and I am so grateful to have them just an email or phone call away should I need assistance in the future. – Michaela H.

Beyond the Practice

Before law school, Aimee taught in California through Teach for America and later led Kid’s Exchange, a supervised-visitation program for families in crisis — early work with families under stress that still shapes how she practices today. She is a member of the Junior League of Dallas and a past board member of the Legacy Family Court Foundation.

Contact Our Team

ic-mail

Send Us An Email

Facing divorce or family law issues? Don’t navigate alone. Email us to schedule a consultation.

ic-call

Give Us A Call

When you need to speak to a top divorce lawyer, call us to schedule a consultation.