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Paula Lock Smyth

Dallas Family Law & Divorce Attorney

  • 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?
    • Do’s and Don’ts of Custody / Visitation
    • Child Support FAQs
    • How Long Does It Take To Get A Divorce?
    • Is There Such a Thing as Legal Separation?
  • Blog
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You are here: Home / Archives for Blog / Child Custody

How Does Child Custody Really Work?

July 8, 2020 By Paula Lock Smyth

Litigation and Child Support

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...]

Filed Under: Blog, Child Custody

Co-Parenting During the COVID-19 Crisis

May 27, 2020 By Paula Lock Smyth

two parents one child

Some parents may have worked out their difficulties and found co-parenting working for them before COVID-19.  With the pressure of keeping children safe from infection, parents may find that they have very different approaches.  One parent may strictly follow established rules of social distancing, not allowing group activities, requiring their children to wear masks, and follow other … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Child Custody Tagged With: Co-Parenting, COVID-19

What is Co-Parenting?

May 13, 2020 By Paula Lock Smyth

couple and kids

Divorcing parents are concerned about child custody and visitation. They worry about how their relationship with their child or children will be affected. The couple may fight with each other about what they each think is in the best interest of the child. Courts encourage the parents to work together in co-parenting their children and to come up with a parenting plan that will work for them … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Child Custody, Divorce Tagged With: Co-Parenting

Child Custody: How Do You Manage Summer With The Kids?

June 25, 2019 By Paula Lock Smyth

Dad with three children - summer child custody

  School is out and divorced parents are working out their plans for summer child custody. The Texas Standard Possession order provides for the non-primary parent to spend 30 days during the summer with the children if the parent lives within 100 miles of the children’s primary residence. For parents who missed the April 1 deadline for submitting a request to the court to have their … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Child Custody Tagged With: summer child custody, summer custody

The Do’s and Don’ts of Summer Child Custody

July 25, 2018 By Staff - P.S.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Summer Child Custody

The 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 DO’s and DON’Ts of summer child custody. DO…Plan specific … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Child Custody Tagged With: summer child custody, summer custody

How Does Child Custody Work During the Summer?

July 17, 2018 By Staff - P.S.

How Does Child Custody Work During the Summer?

Child 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 has a few tips for how summer child custody works. How is Summer Child … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Child Custody Tagged With: joint custody, summer child custody, summer custody

Father’s Rights in Child Custody

April 20, 2018 By Staff - P.S.

father’s rights

There 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 on the bench have contributed to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Child Custody, Fathers' Rights

Mother’s Rights in Child Custody

April 5, 2018 By Staff - P.S.

mother’s rights vs father’s rights in child custody

Do 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 law has evolved to allow parents equal rights in custody cases; … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Child Custody, Divorce Tagged With: mother's rights

Children’s Rights in a Divorce

March 30, 2018 By Staff - P.S.

children’s rights

Adults 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 cases, following are my insights into children’s … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Child Custody Tagged With: best interests of the child, children's rights

FAQ’s About Child Support in Texas

July 28, 2017 By Staff - S.R.

child support

Child support in Texas is pretty much what it sounds like – financial assistance to support your child following a divorce. It is court-ordered money payable from one parent or conservator to the other, normally paid on a monthly basis. All child support in Texas must be paid through the Attorney General’s clearinghouse in San Antonio, called the Child Support Disbursement Unit. There is no option … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Child Custody Tagged With: child support, child support in Texas, Paula Lock Smyth, Plano and Dallas Family Law Attorney

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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

Paula Lock Smyth in the Rich-Tones

Paula Lock Smyth’s Passion for Singing Leads Her to The Rich-Tones

I grew up in a musical home. My early memories are of mom playing the organ and singing the latest … [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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