The short answer is yes. In the state of Texas, marijuana is still an illegal drug. That means the law handles it the same as any other illegal substance. Pot being illegal isn't the only reason using it will impact your divorce. As more states join the movement of legalizing marijuana, it may leave you wondering if smoking pot will have an impact on your divorce. If you’re headed for divorce or … [Read more...]
When is it Too Late to Save a Marriage?
Nearly half of all American couples give up on their marriage. According to the American Psychological Association, 90 percent of people marry by age 50. Out of those marriages, 40 to 50 percent end in divorce.* One question is when is it too late to salvage a marriage if one or both of the spouses wanted to do so? Attorney Paula Lock Smyth has advised clients on what steps to take to make that … [Read more...]
This Post-Divorce Checklist is Guaranteed to Help You After Court
Are you fresh out of a divorce and glad to be done with the lengthy process? Don’t exhale just yet. The work may not be completely over. Before you get adjusted to your clean slate, there are a few things you need to do. Use this post-divorce checklist with recommendations from Paula Lock Smyth Law Offices to take care of business. Changes to Property Arrangements Whether it’s multiple … [Read more...]
Why I Believe in the Collaborative Divorce Process
Divorce ends an old and begins a new chapter of life. It is often a challenging transition that should be handled with care. Working with attorneys and professionals, clients can resolve divorce matters in a civil manner and with concern for sensitive and difficult life situations. That’s what we at Paula Lock Smyth Law Offices seek to do in the collaborative divorce process. What is the … [Read more...]
How to Prevent Violence While Going Through a Divorce
No one plans for their marriage to end in divorce. It's a tough time for everyone and emotions can run high. It is often difficult to keep those emotions in check. Sadly, sometimes this results in violence. To be sensitive throughout the process for the good of everyone involved is easier said than done. Here are some actions that you can take to prevent violence in divorce. Be careful about your … [Read more...]
The Pros and Cons of Each Type of Divorce
In a divorce, the issues of child custody, visitation and the division of assets and debts are resolved by one of 3 processes: an agreement of the parties, the collaborative divorce method or through adversarial litigation. There are pros and cons to each type of divorce. Agreement of the Parties – The Kitchen Table Model Most people don't want their personal life aired out and on display in a … [Read more...]
Two Approaches To Divorce In Texas
In most cases, a divorce in Texas actually consists of two family law issues that are consolidated into a single case. Assuming that there are children and property, the first and most important issue that's addressed involves the best interests of the children of the parties to the divorce. Don't Delay After Service In nearly all cases, the petitioner must serve the respondent with a … [Read more...]
The right lawyer for a collaborative law approach
A previous post on this blog talked about how a person who wants to participate in the collaborative law approach to resolve a family law issue can still have his or her own attorney and is in fact encouraged to do so. Even though the approach in collaborative law cases is different-going to court is, during the process, is off the table-- an attorney still plays an important role and has an … [Read more...]
May I still have an attorney in a collaborative law case?
One hesitation a Dallas resident might have about using "collaborative law" to settle either a child custody or other family law matter is that they may think no one will be on their side of the negotiation table since everyone is, theoretically, working together to talk through issues. While this may sound really nice in theory, a Texan may worry that, in practice, it could mean his or her own … [Read more...]
How does the collaborative divorce process work?
The collaborative law divorce process is a beneficial process for divorcing couples to consider. Rather than sorting out divorce-related disputes through litigation and contentious exchanges between the spouses, the collaborative law divorce process is one that allows the couple to work together to reach a divorce agreement that saves time, money and bad feelings. Couples will need to resolve … [Read more...]