Paula Lock Smyth

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You are here: Home / Archives for Blog / Collaborative Divorce

Can You Divorce with Dignity and Respect?

March 7, 2025 By Paula Locke Smyth

Yes, you can divorce with dignity and respect. The key is avoiding a courtroom battle and choosing a process that fosters cooperation. Collaborative Divorce allows you and your spouse to work together instead of against each other, reducing conflict and helping both of you move forward in a healthier way. The Downside of Litigation Divorces that play out in court often become hostile. Each … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Collaborative Divorce Tagged With: Dignity, Respect

What Are the Different Types of Divorce Lawyers?

February 21, 2025 By Paula Locke Smyth

When you're going through a divorce, choosing the right attorney is one of the most important decisions you'll make. Not all divorce lawyers are the same. They have different backgrounds, levels of experience, and approaches to handling cases. Here is a simple guide to understanding the different types of divorce lawyers. General Practice Attorneys Some lawyers dabble in divorce cases even … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Collaborative Divorce Tagged With: Divorce, Types of Lawyers

What Makes a Gray Divorce Different from Other Divorces?

January 14, 2025 By Paula Locke Smyth

Gray divorce refers to older couples who have decided to end their marriage. These divorces are unique because they often involve a long-term marriage and the need to divide substantial assets. If you are considering divorce later in life, it is important to understand how it may differ from divorcing at a younger age. Long-Term Marriages and Dividing Assets Many gray divorces involve … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Collaborative Divorce Tagged With: Gray Divorce

Stupid Things People Fight Over During a Divorce

September 23, 2024 By Paula Locke Smyth

When going through a divorce, it's easy to lose perspective and start arguing over things that really don’t matter. What might seem important in the moment can often feel trivial later. People end up squabbling over the smallest details adding unnecessary stress to an already challenging situation. These disputes don’t just create tension—they can also increase the cost of your divorce, as every … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Collaborative Divorce Tagged With: Children, Collaborative divorce

The Dangers of a DIY Divorce

May 2, 2024 By Paula Locke Smyth

Are you thinking about handling your divorce on your own? It might appear to be a good idea, especially if your situation seems uncomplicated; however, before you go down that road, it is important to understand that a DIY divorce could cause more problems than it solves and cost you more in the end.   Do It Yourself Divorce is Not Always a Good Fit A DIY divorce may work for a select … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Collaborative Divorce Tagged With: Collaborative divorce, DIY Divorces

Managing a High Conflict Divorce

August 16, 2023 By Paula Locke Smyth

Divorce and Conflict

Divorce is rarely an easy process, but when one of the parties involved has a high conflict personality, it can become an emotional rollercoaster.  High conflict personalities can create a hostile environment, leading to increased disputes and challenges during the divorce process. Understanding the High Conflict Personality Type A high conflict personality is someone who possesses a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Collaborative Divorce Tagged With: divorce in Texas, High Conflict

Things to Avoid While Going Through a Divorce

August 4, 2023 By Paula Locke Smyth

divorce

Going through a divorce can be emotionally challenging, but it's crucial to approach the process with caution. By avoiding certain behaviors, individuals can help mitigate additional complications and work towards a smoother transition. There are several important things to avoid while going through a divorce. Steer Clear of the Courtroom: It's advisable to explore alternatives to the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Collaborative Divorce Tagged With: collaborative law, divorce in Texas

What is a Contested Divorce?

July 5, 2023 By Paula Locke Smyth

uncontested divorce

When couples find themselves unable to agree on essential matters related to their divorce, it becomes a contested divorce.  In this blog post, we delve into the concept of a contested divorce, exploring disagreements that can lead to such a situation and the different methods available to resolve them, including mediation and collaborative divorce. Understanding a Contested Divorce: A … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Collaborative Divorce Tagged With: Divorce, Uncontested

What is a No-Fault Divorce and Why is it Important?

June 26, 2023 By Paula Locke Smyth

No-Fault Divorce

A no-fault divorce refers to the Texas Family Code grounds for divorce.  In a no-fault divorce, a court can grant the dissolution of a marriage without blaming either party for the failure of the marriage.  No-fault divorce acknowledges that the marriage is insupportable (i.e. irretrievably broken down) and that there is no chance of reconciliation. The importance of no-fault divorce is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Collaborative Divorce Tagged With: No-Fault Divorce, Texas

Managing Emotions During a Divorce

June 14, 2023 By Paula Locke Smyth

Managing Emotions and Divorce

Managing your emotions during your divorce can be an extremely challenging task. Divorce is an emotional time and can cause intense feelings of sadness, anger, frustration, and fear.  It is crucial to manage and control these emotions during the divorce process because unmanaged emotions can lead to poor decision-making and possibly impede the divorce process. Here are my top divorce tips … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Collaborative Divorce Tagged With: Managing Emotions

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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

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Divorce Mistakes: Texting and Social Media

Texting while divorcing, or posting on FB, Twitter or other social media platform, are all things … [Read More...]

Paula Lock Smyth Law Offices
2911 Turtle Creek Blvd. Ste. 300
Dallas, Texas 75219

Phone: 214-420-1800
Fax: 214-420-1801

Disclaimer
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