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How To Talk To Your Spouse About Divorce
By Paula Lock Smyth• October 8, 2018Talking to your spouse about divorce can be difficult. This is true even when both of you have been struggling with your marriage and may have concerns over whether or not it will last. When the time comes to actually tell your spouse that you want a divorce, how you handle it depends on quite…
Is It Worthwhile to Apologize in the Middle of Divorce?
By Paula Lock Smyth• September 11, 2018Most people think of an apology as a way of working out problems prior to divorce. Is it really necessary or effective to apologize in the middle of a divorce? The answer could depend on whether it’s wise to admit fault, the reason for the apology, and the type of process in which your divorce…
How Do You Manage Anger In The Divorce Process?
By Paula Lock Smyth• August 24, 2018Being able to manage anger during a divorce could make a world of difference in how the parties handle their divorce. Divorce is almost always an emotional process. A divorce means changing to a new way of living–maybe even getting a new address. Separating from your spouse also possibly means less frequent involvement with your…
The Do’s and Don’ts of Summer Child Custody
By Paula Lock Smyth• July 25, 2018The summertime is a great opportunity for parents who are separated or divorced to spend some quality time with their children. This is especially important for those parents who don’t have equal or substantial parenting time with their children during the school year. To take full advantage of this time, you should follow these quick…
How Does Child Custody Work During the Summer?
By Paula Lock Smyth• July 17, 2018Child custody is the most important area to work out during a divorce. It defines the time and shapes the new relationship you’ll form with your children. If you’re not the primary caregiver, you may be wondering where that leaves you concerning spending time with the kids during the summer. Paula Lock Smyth Law Offices…Paula Lock Smyth’s Passion for Singing Leads Her to The Rich-Tones
By Paula Lock Smyth• June 14, 2018I grew up in a musical home. My early memories are of mom playing the organ and singing the latest hits, while I tried to harmonize. As a child, I was a member of The Singing Angels, a non-profit in Cleveland, Ohio dedicated to youth development through artistic achievement in the performing arts. Growing up,…
Will Smoking Pot Have An Impact On My Divorce?
By Paula Lock Smyth• May 31, 2018The short answer is yes. In the state of Texas, marijuana is still an illegal drug. That means the law handles it the same as any other illegal substance. Pot being illegal isn’t the only reason using it will impact your divorce. As more states join the movement of legalizing marijuana, it may leave you…
When is it Too Late to Save a Marriage?
By Paula Lock Smyth• May 17, 2018Nearly half of all American couples give up on their marriage. According to the American Psychological Association, 90 percent of people marry by age 50. Out of those marriages, 40 to 50 percent end in divorce.* One question is when is it too late to salvage a marriage if one or both of the spouses…
Father’s Rights in Child Custody
By Paula Lock Smyth• April 20, 2018There was a time when father’s rights and custody were almost unheard of. The legal system showed favoritism toward mothers unless there was abuse involved or the mother was “unfit.” After practicing for several decades, I’ve seen decisions shift to favor co-parenting arrangements. A combination of family code revisions, cultural changes and more open-minded judges…
Mother’s Rights in Child Custody
By Paula Lock Smyth• April 5, 2018Do Mother’s Rights Differ from Father’s in Child Custody Cases? Most people assume mother’s rights hold more weight in child custody cases. This is partly true because the courts did favor mothers in the past. There’s also an assumption that mothers are better parents because of their role as nurturer. The reality is that the…
Children’s Rights in a Divorce
By Paula Lock Smyth• March 30, 2018Adults dealing with their own issues can overlook how divorce affects the children. Actions meant to protect themselves from (or retaliate against) their former partner could damage the child. That’s why there’s a such thing as children’s rights in a divorce. From my experience at Paula Lock Smyth Law Offices with divorce and child custody…
How Long Does It Take to Get a Divorce?
By Paula Lock Smyth• February 2, 2018Going through a divorce can be an emotional time. Although it may be something you didn’t plan, you do want closure if the marriage has ended. It’s not easy to move forward while you’re still going through the process, but it helps to know when the divorce will be final. Hopefully, I can help you…











