When Dallas couples get married, they often begin a new chapter of their lives by promising to stay together for the rest of their lives. You might have children and aspire to raise them to the best of your ability and provide the best for them. However, people, situations and lives change, potentially leaving you at odds with your spouse. This could cause you to face off in an amicable or hotly … [Read more...]
How long does divorce take?
It is often not easy to decide to put an end to one’s marriage, but once Texas residents make the decision they may want the whole process to be over as soon as possible so they can begin to move on. Therefore, their first question may be about the estimated time it will take for their divorce to become final. Unfortunately, there is no clear-cut answer to this question. A number of … [Read more...]
An effective parenting plan is possible with the right assistance
Last week, this blog noted the importance of keeping a parenting plan centered on the needs of the child. However, in some child custody situations, parents may wonder if it is possible to create a secure and agreeable parenting plan. A parenting plan is one way parents going through a divorce can ensure their children will have the best care and treatment from both parents regardless of the … [Read more...]
Keeping parenting plans about the child’s needs
Divorce is often a stressful, emotional and unexpected event, but parents in Texas and elsewhere need to be aware how the process impacts their children. While it is clear that the divorce process will significantly change the lives of both parents, the decisions they make during dissolution shape the upbringing a child will be faced with. More importantly, a parenting plan should be about the … [Read more...]
Property division rules in Texas
There are lots of difficult decisions that must be made when a couple decides to end their marriage. After child custody matters, perhaps the most important is deciding how to divide property amongst the divorcing couple. However, the couple’s choice is not the only deciding factor-where a couple decides to divorce is also important. Some states follow the equitable distribution rules whereas some … [Read more...]
We can help with your child custody issues
As mentioned in the previous post on our Dallas family law blog, dealing with child custody issues is a difficult matter regardless of the time of year. Even though parenting is often seen as a fundamental human right, various circumstances lead to couples ending their relationship with each other and jeopardizing their right to parent. However, with the right counsel, it is possible to protect … [Read more...]
Dealing with child custody during the holidays
Divorcing couples have a lot of decisions to make and these decisions are often tougher if there are children involved. From deciding who makes the day-to-day decisions to determining whom the child will spend weekends and holidays with, child custody arrangements can be difficult to create and come to terms with. With the holiday season coming up, one or the other parent will have custody of the … [Read more...]
Divorced couples may want to consider a ‘pet parenting plan’
Many Texas couples going through a divorce will have to sort out things like child custody matters, property division and alimony payments. But, what happens when both spouses are unwilling to part with the family pet? Couples who own a pet may want to consider a "pet parenting plan" after divorce. Legally, pets are considered property, and the court cannot determine a "custody" ruling for … [Read more...]
How does the best interests of the child impact child custody?
Child custody issues impact many families, but many parents may not understand how Texas courts make child custody decisions. Courts may evaluate each parent’s capacity to care for the child under the circumstances, but the focus of their decision isn’t on the parents so much as on the child. In general, child custody decisions are based on a legal standard known as “the best interests … [Read more...]
Factors affecting a child’s best interests in a divorce
The decision to end a marriage is not one most Dallas couples take lightly. It comes with many ramifications, such as dividing up property and assets, changing names and finding new accommodation. However, the most important impact divorce can have is on the lives of any children involved. It means going from a two parent house to a single parent house post divorce, which can be … [Read more...]