Paula Lock Smyth

Dallas Family Law & Divorce Attorney

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You are here: Home / Archives for Blog / Child Custody

Dealing with child custody during the holidays

November 14, 2014 By Crouch Group

father and daughter at Christmas

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...]

Filed Under: Blog, Child Custody, Divorce Tagged With: Children, custody, Holidays

Divorced couples may want to consider a ‘pet parenting plan’

October 3, 2014 By Crouch Group

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...]

Filed Under: Child Custody, Divorce Tagged With: alimony, property division, visitation plans

How does the best interests of the child impact child custody?

September 3, 2014 By Crouch Group

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...]

Filed Under: Child Custody Tagged With: best interests of the child, child custody dispute, Children, custody, factors, Impact

Factors affecting a child’s best interests in a divorce

August 8, 2014 By Crouch Group

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...]

Filed Under: Child Custody, Divorce Tagged With: best interests of the child, Children, custody, factors

Joint custody on the rise in the country

May 28, 2014 By Crouch Group

When a couple in Dallas divorces one another, they intend to end their relationship with one another without affecting their relationship with their children. Nonetheless, traditionally, throughout the country mothers were given sole custody of the children because it was believed to be in their best interest. This usually meant that fathers did not get to spend an equal amount of time with their … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Child Custody, Divorce Tagged With: custody, joint custody, sole custody

Organize finances carefully during divorce

May 16, 2014 By Crouch Group

When Dallas couples consider divorcing one another, there are a lot of things they usually have to consider, such as child custody, alimony and property division. Many times, one spouse is in charge of the financial matters and when that spouse gives the other one financial information, he or she believes it at face value and does not personally check into matters. However, as the case of one … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Child Custody, Divorce Tagged With: alimony, emotions, property division

Wife ends up paying for disparaging comments against ex-husband

April 18, 2014 By Crouch Group

When a couple first marries, they pledge to love one another and fight together through the good and bad. In the U.S., roughly 50 percent of these couples won’t make it and, for some couples, the decision to divorce brings out the worse in both former spouses. Many Dallas residents likely know a former couple or have read about a former couple whose divorce was extremely contentious. Any … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Child Custody, Collaborative Divorce Tagged With: Communication, conflict, end of a marriage

The benefits of taking a break prior to filing for divorce

April 3, 2014 By Crouch Group

Every marriage goes through its ups and downs.  In cases where a marriage is dominated by conflict and unhappiness, some couples choose to take a break and physically separate for a time.  Time spent apart often provides clarity related to why a marriage isn’t working and can help spouses make decisions that will ultimately benefit both moving forward. While it may seem contrary, in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Child Custody, Collaborative Divorce Tagged With: conflict, filing for divorce, spousal support

Hope for couples seeking a peaceful end to their marriage

March 7, 2014 By Crouch Group

The divorce process can be difficult, emotionally and financially draining and combative. Even in cases where spouses both agreed divorce was the best option and the split was relatively amicable, things can quickly sour when the courts get involved. Suddenly, the individual with whom an individual previously shared everything is unwilling to share anything. When the divorce process becomes … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Child Custody, Collaborative Divorce Tagged With: collaborative law, end of a marriage

New love interest reignites Frankel’s child custody battle

January 8, 2014 By Crouch Group

Marriage can be a difficult path to navigate and some spouses are ultimately better off going their separate ways. When a couple decides to divorce there are number of matters that must be sorted out. For couples with minor-aged children, matters related to child custody often trigger strong emotions and can quickly turn contentious. A parent who files for sole custody of a child often does so … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Child Custody, Divorce Tagged With: Children, custody, emotions, joint custody, sole custody

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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

Former congressman and wife may be close to divorce settlement

No two divorce proceedings are alike.  Just as every person is unique, and every couple is … [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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  • 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?
    • Child Support FAQs
    • How Long Does It Take To Get A Divorce?
    • Is There Such a Thing as Legal Separation?
  • Blog
  • Contact Us