Paula Lock Smyth

Dallas Family Law & Divorce Attorney

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You are here: Home / Archives for 2023

Archives for 2023

Understanding Texas Divorce Residency Requirements

December 5, 2023 By Paula Locke Smyth

Texas Divorce Residency

Residency laws are pivotal in Texas divorce proceedings. They outline the prerequisites you must meet before beginning a divorce in Texas and determine which jurisdiction within the state is appropriate for filing. Understanding and adhering to these residency requirements is of utmost importance when considering divorce in Texas, as it can have a substantial impact on the legality and efficiency … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: divorce in Texas, Residency

Mediation in Texas: The Pros and Cons

September 11, 2023 By Paula Locke Smyth

Mediation and Divorce

As an experienced Dallas Family Law Attorney, I've had the privilege of witnessing the dynamics of mediation firsthand, both as a Mediator and as an attorney representing a party to the mediation. Mediation is a powerful tool in resolving legal disputes, offering both advantages and potential pitfalls. The Pros of Mediation The pros of mediation are abundant, and they play a pivotal role in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: divorce in Texas

Managing a High Conflict Divorce

August 16, 2023 By Paula Locke Smyth

Divorce and Conflict

Divorce is rarely an easy process, but when one of the parties involved has a high conflict personality, it can become an emotional rollercoaster.  High conflict personalities can create a hostile environment, leading to increased disputes and challenges during the divorce process. Understanding the High Conflict Personality Type A high conflict personality is someone who possesses a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Collaborative Divorce Tagged With: divorce in Texas, High Conflict

Things to Avoid While Going Through a Divorce

August 4, 2023 By Paula Locke Smyth

divorce

Going through a divorce can be emotionally challenging, but it's crucial to approach the process with caution. By avoiding certain behaviors, individuals can help mitigate additional complications and work towards a smoother transition. There are several important things to avoid while going through a divorce. Steer Clear of the Courtroom: It's advisable to explore alternatives to the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Collaborative Divorce Tagged With: collaborative law, divorce in Texas

What is a Contested Divorce?

July 5, 2023 By Paula Locke Smyth

uncontested divorce

When couples find themselves unable to agree on essential matters related to their divorce, it becomes a contested divorce.  In this blog post, we delve into the concept of a contested divorce, exploring disagreements that can lead to such a situation and the different methods available to resolve them, including mediation and collaborative divorce. Understanding a Contested Divorce: A … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Collaborative Divorce Tagged With: Divorce, Uncontested

What is a No-Fault Divorce and Why is it Important?

June 26, 2023 By Paula Locke Smyth

No-Fault Divorce

A no-fault divorce refers to the Texas Family Code grounds for divorce.  In a no-fault divorce, a court can grant the dissolution of a marriage without blaming either party for the failure of the marriage.  No-fault divorce acknowledges that the marriage is insupportable (i.e. irretrievably broken down) and that there is no chance of reconciliation. The importance of no-fault divorce is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Collaborative Divorce Tagged With: No-Fault Divorce, Texas

Why Is There a 60-Day Waiting Period To Get Divorced In Texas?

June 19, 2023 By Paula Locke Smyth

60 day wait in Texas divorce

As a family law attorney in Texas, I often am asked about the waiting period for divorce. Many clients are frustrated by the idea that they can't simply walk into a courtroom and have their divorce finalized on the spot. However, there are good reasons for the waiting period, which is mandated by Texas law. The waiting period for divorce in Texas is 60 days. This means that from the date that … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: 60-Day, divorce in Texas

Managing Emotions During a Divorce

June 14, 2023 By Paula Locke Smyth

Managing Emotions and Divorce

Managing your emotions during your divorce can be an extremely challenging task. Divorce is an emotional time and can cause intense feelings of sadness, anger, frustration, and fear.  It is crucial to manage and control these emotions during the divorce process because unmanaged emotions can lead to poor decision-making and possibly impede the divorce process. Here are my top divorce tips … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Collaborative Divorce Tagged With: Managing Emotions

What Do People Need to Know About Getting a Divorce in Dallas?  

May 12, 2023 By Paula Locke Smyth

Divorce in Texas

Every jurisdiction has its own rules for how the family law court system works. Dallas County is no different. It is a large county, which means there are many courts assigned to family law matters. There is some specific information relevant to Dallas County that you may find helpful. Dallas County has Specialized Family Law Courts Because of the size of the county, there are specialized … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Collaborative Divorce Tagged With: collaborative law, divorce in Texas

Divorce: Fear of Missing Out

April 6, 2023 By Paula Locke Smyth

Divorce and Emotions

Beginning the divorce process is often intimidating. Emotions run high even if both parties agree that a divorce is going to happen. Often, one spouse wants the divorce and the other one is uncertain or does not want the divorce. Decisions must be made about property division, where will the children live, how can each parent spend quality time with the children and how will a one-household … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Collaborative Divorce Tagged With: Divorce, emotions, Family Law, Fear

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Paula Lock Smyth Law Offices

2911 Turtle Creek Blvd. Ste. 300
Dallas, Texas 75219

Phone: 214-420-1800
Fax: 214-420-1801

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From the Blog

two parents one child

Co-Parenting During the COVID-19 Crisis

Some parents may have worked out their difficulties and found co-parenting working for them before … [Read More...]

Paula Lock Smyth Law Offices
2911 Turtle Creek Blvd. Ste. 300
Dallas, Texas 75219

Phone: 214-420-1800
Fax: 214-420-1801

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The contents of this website does not imply legal advise or counsel and does not establish an attorney/client relationship. Please contact us for information on our policies regarding any relationship with clients, potential clients, or non-clients of our firm.

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  • Home
  • Firm Overview
    ▼
    • My Practice
    • Professional History
    • Memberships, Activities, Recognition
  • Practice Areas
    ▼
    • Divorce
    • Collaborative Divorce
    • Mediation
    • Parenting Rights
    • Probate, Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning
  • FAQs
    ▼
    • Just Been Served Papers? Now What?
    • Child Support FAQs
    • How Long Does It Take To Get A Divorce?
    • Is There Such a Thing as Legal Separation?
  • Blog
  • Contact Us