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Paula Lock Smyth

Dallas Family Law & Divorce Attorney

  • 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?
    • Do’s and Don’ts of Custody / Visitation
    • Child Support FAQs
    • How Long Does It Take To Get A Divorce?
    • Is There Such a Thing as Legal Separation?
  • Blog
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You are here: Home / Archives for Blog / Collaborative Divorce

Advantage of Neutral Experts in a Collaborative Divorce   

April 20, 2022 By Paula Lock Smyth

Advantage Neutral Expert

There are many advantages to including neutral experts in the Collaborative Divorce process. Collaborative Divorce is not an adversarial process and one of its stated purposes is to keep the spouses out of court. With the help of their attorneys and neutral professionals who assist in educating and guiding them, the couple can move forward in their new life as single people without hostility and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Collaborative Divorce Tagged With: Child Specialist, Collaborative Divorce, Financial Experts

How to Reduce the Cost of Divorce  

February 16, 2022 By Paula Lock Smyth

Reduce Cost of Divorce

When a couple decides to pursue a divorce, they always want to know how much it is going to cost. There is no definitive answer since each case is unique. It is generally not even possible to quote a “ballpark figure” since the costs depend on how much conflict there is and how many issues can be settled out of court. The more conflicts there are, and the more times one party insists on a court … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Collaborative Divorce, Divorce Tagged With: Collaborative Divorce, Divorce Costs, Reducing Cost

What Do Kids Want from Their Parents During a Divorce?

January 19, 2022 By Paula Lock Smyth

Kids and Parents Divorce

Children of all ages are generally upset when they find out their parents are getting a divorce. This is true even when they have heard their parents arguing and there is tension in the home. They do not want to experience the disruption of their family life as they know it. A few exceptions may be if there have been issues of a parent’s addiction or domestic violence. In those cases, children … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Collaborative Divorce Tagged With: Kids, Parents

What Is A Parenting Plan?

May 11, 2021 By Paula Lock Smyth

Parenting Plan

A parenting plan is just what it sounds like: A plan put together by the parents or the court about how the parents of minor children will interact with each other in a way that will be in the best interest of the children. It includes terms for conservatorship, access to the children, child support and healthcare. Elements of a Co-Parenting Plan A co-parenting plan includes terms … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Collaborative Divorce Tagged With: Parenting Plan

How Do You Explain to Clients About Mediation, Litigation and Collaborative?

November 18, 2019 By Paula Lock Smyth

lawyer explaining to clients

When a marriage breaks down, the parties know is they want a divorce, but they are unaware of the different methods available to them to make that happen.  At Paula Lock Smyth Law Offices, we begin our representation by explaining to our clients what their options are and how mediation, litigation, and the collaborative divorce process work. Litigation Litigation is the traditional … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Collaborative Divorce Tagged With: Collaborative, Litigation, Mediation

Divorce and the Holidays

October 17, 2019 By Paula Lock Smyth

The Holidays and Divorce

Holidays, like Thanksgiving and Christmas, are meant to be joyous and happy.  But for those parents going through a divorce, these holidays present a special challenge.  It is best for the children if the parents can communicate with each other and, as much as possible, maintain family traditions for the children.  If parents cannot come to an agreement, they must comply with the … [Read more...]

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

The #1 Way to Save Money in a Divorce

October 10, 2019 By Paula Lock Smyth

piggy bank and gavel

There are inevitably some expenses associated with getting a divorce, but there are ways to save money.  The #1 way to save money during the divorce is to be absolutely straightforward and honest with your attorney. Why it Matters to Be Scrupulously Honest with Your Attorney You may sincerely believe that it is not necessary to give certain information to your attorney.  The truth … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Collaborative Divorce, Divorce Tagged With: Attorney Client Relationship

Can Someone Be Too Angry For A Collaborative Divorce?

July 31, 2019 By Paula Lock Smyth

collaborative divorce with angry couple

A collaborative divorce is a process where the parties to the divorce work as a team with their attorneys and various professionals, such as a tax consultant, a child psychologist, a mental health professional, and others, to resolve their issues without court intervention. It is particularly beneficial to couples with children and helps them make parenting plans agreed to by both parents. One … [Read more...]

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

Your Spouse Just Told You They Want a Divorce. Now What?

May 2, 2019 By Paula Lock Smyth

spouse wants divorce

No matter how upsetting it may be to have your spouse tell you he or she wants a divorce, the best advice is for you to remain as calm as possible. Anything you say may haunt you later if your divorce becomes contentious and your spouse tries to use it against you. The first few days after you hear the news, consider doing the following. Keep your emotions in check. See a counselor, trusted … [Read more...]

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

How Does the Court Decide Who Gets to Make Decisions Regarding the Children?

April 10, 2019 By Staff - S.R.

children in divorce

The most important decision for parents going through a divorce is what happens to the children. Parents often will be appointed joint managing conservators, which means they will share in the decision about where the children live, where they go to school, how they spend their time during school holidays, and jointly agree to invasive medical or dental procedures. Less frequently, courts may … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Collaborative Divorce, Divorce Tagged With: children in divorce, Paula Lock Smyth

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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

New love interest reignites Frankel’s child custody battle

Marriage can be a difficult path to navigate and some spouses are ultimately better off going their … [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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