Many couples in Texas may be under the misconception that when a child reaches a certain age they can decide which parent they want to live with in the event of a divorce. However, this is not the case. There are certain provisions in the Texas Family Code regarding the right of children to express their wish of where they want to live, but there is no obligation for the judge to fulfill that … [Read more...]
Study shows that divorce filings peak post-summer
As summer vacations come to an end and couples in Texas get back their routines, some couples may begin to realize that the optimism they felt about spending the future with their spouse has dwindled and they are plagued by the same issues they had before summer began. According to a new report, this is known as a "broken promise theory" - couples spend a lot of time together in the summer and it … [Read more...]
The basics of spousal support in Texas
There are many important issues spouses may need to resolve during the divorce process and spousal support may be one of them. During the course of a marriage, trade-off decisions may be made that provide for one spouse to remain at home or not continue or pursue their education. If the couple decides to divorce, the spouse who remained at home or did not pursue a career or education may face … [Read more...]
Understanding different options for divorce
In the United States, sadly, 50 percent of marriages end in divorce. Because of the important life event the end of a marriage can be for many couples, it is useful for couples considering divorce to understand all the different options that may be available to them through the family law process. Options range from traditional divorce to mediation and collaborative law. One … [Read more...]
Communication breakdown does not rule out divorce mediation
There are a variety of reasons for why a couple may decide to end their marriage in Texas, and not all marriages end amicably. When a couple can no longer discuss issues with one another cordially, negotiating the major issues in a divorce agreement can seem out of the question. This is often why couples may turn to litigation rather than collaboration-people believe that since they can no longer … [Read more...]
Negotiate a divorce through collaborative law
Deciding to end a marriage is not easy, but when couples do make the decision, their aim is to work out a settlement agreement that suits their individual and mutual aims while dealing with one another respectfully. When there are children involved, it is even more important to be able to deal with one another amicably and create a settlement that will advance the children’s best interests as … [Read more...]
Drafting a premarital agreement to protect your future
When Texas residents get married, entering into a pre-marital agreement specifying property division in the event of a divorce is oftentimes the last thing they want to think about. This is why some couples opt to enter into a post-nuptial agreement, as mentioned in a previous post. As difficult as it is to envision a future without your current spouse, the reality is that changing circumstances … [Read more...]
Rise of post nuptial agreements
Many Texas residents may have heard of a prenuptial agreement-an agreement signed before two people get married that details the division of assets post divorce. However, another type of contractual agreement dictating property division is on the rise-a post nuptial agreement. Unlike their more commonly known partner, these documents are signed after the wedding and in some cases many years after … [Read more...]
Understanding adoption laws in Texas
Many people in Texas seek to adopt a child. It is a noble and positive step to take, but it is also important that the laws of the state are followed when moving forward with the process. If there are violations of the law when trying to complete an adoption, the process could be declared invalid. A case in which a couple had adopted a child, made him or her a part of the family and was later said … [Read more...]
How are location services used for Texas child custody cases?
In Texas, there are times when a parent must be located. For that, there is a program that the state will assist with in locating the parent. This is something that can be used for several reasons including the following: for the establishment of a court order regarding paternity, child support or medical support; to seek child support that has been ordered by the court or for the enforcement of a … [Read more...]