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...]
Co-Parenting During the COVID-19 Crisis
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...]
What is Co-Parenting?
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...]
Child Custody: How Do You Manage Summer With The Kids?
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...]
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...]
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...]
Father’s Rights in Child Custody
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...]
Mother’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...]
Children’s Rights in a Divorce
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...]
FAQ’s About Child Support in Texas
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...]