How to handle child custody and support are often the most contentious issues that must be decided during the divorce process. Some parents are able to work together to put together their own parenting agreement. When they cannot do this, the court will order a parenting plan for them to follow. When a parent is disputing custody of their child, in most courts, the Judge will appoint … [Read more...]
What Is A Parenting Plan?
A parenting plan is just what it sounds like: A plan put together by the parents or the court about how the parents of minor children will interact with each other in a way that will be in the best interest of the children. It includes terms for conservatorship, access to the children, child support and healthcare. Elements of a Co-Parenting Plan A co-parenting plan includes terms … [Read more...]
Divorce: How Much Will It Cost?
One of the most common questions I get is, “How much will my divorce cost?” For anything except the most simple case, there is no way to predict the cost of a divorce. It depends on the type of divorce process the couple chooses to pursue, if the opponent has an attorney or is representing themselves, the methods used by the opposing attorney, the court that the case is filed in, the … [Read more...]
When Parents Do Not Agree on Vaccinating their Children
The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is currently available for those ages 16 and up. Trials are being conducted and one source predicts that in the next few months, a vaccine will be available for those ages 3 to 17. This raises a serious question about what to do when parents disagree about whether their child should be vaccinated. The First Step: Look at the Court Order If your child is the … [Read more...]
How Do You Talk to Your Kids About Your Divorce?
Possibly the worst thing about getting a divorce is telling the children. There is no perfect time to tell them but of course they need to be told by the parents as soon as possible so they do not hear this emotionally upsetting news from someone else. Parents Should Tell the Children Together If possible, the parents should put their differences aside and meet together with the children to … [Read more...]
What Is A Child-Centered Divorce?
A divorce can be so contentious that the parents, who are focused on themselves, lose sight of the needs of their kids. A child-centered divorce is one in which the children’s best interests are the primary concern of the parents. Putting the Children in the Middle When parents cannot agree on custody and the division of time each of them will spend with the children, the Judge will decide … [Read more...]
Most Common Reason People Get A Divorce
The divorce rate in the U.S. is shockingly high. There are many reasons that couples cannot maintain their relationship and decide to part ways. Texas law provides for both a no-fault divorce and a divorce based upon fault grounds. A No-Fault Divorce in Texas The Texas Family Code allows for a divorce without regard to fault “if the marriage has become insupportable because of discord or … [Read more...]
Should I Hire an Attorney to Represent Me in My Divorce?
If you and your spouse have no children and own no property together, you may be able to do your divorce yourselves. “No property” means you literally own nothing as a couple, not even a car. The “pro se” forms approved by the Texas Supreme Court are relatively easy to fill out in this type of divorce. Child Custody Issues There are many issues that need to be resolved between … [Read more...]
Post-Divorce Checklist
If you and your spouse have no children and own no property together, you may be able to do your divorce yourselves. “No property” means you literally own nothing as a couple, not even a car. The “pro se” forms approved by the Texas Supreme Court are relatively easy to fill out in this type of divorce. Child Custody Issues There are many issues that need to be resolved between … [Read more...]
How Does Child Custody Really Work?
Child custody is one of the most contentious issues that needs to be resolved during the divorce process. Two people who are unable to get along, and who have decided it is so unpleasant to live together they simply cannot do it any longer, are expected to work together to make decisions that are in the best interest of their children. If the parents can’t set aside their differences to … [Read more...]