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?
    • Child Support FAQs
    • How Long Does It Take To Get A Divorce?
    • Is There Such a Thing as Legal Separation?
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
You are here: Home / Archives for Blog / Divorce

How Do You Talk to Your Kids About Your Divorce?

February 8, 2021 By Paula Locke Smyth

Divorce and Telling Kids

Possibly the worst thing about getting a divorce is telling the children. There is no perfect time to tell them but of course they need to be told by the parents as soon as possible so they do not hear this emotionally upsetting news from someone else. Parents Should Tell the Children Together If possible, the parents should put their differences aside and meet together with the children to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Divorce Tagged With: Children, Communication, Telling Kids

What Is A Child-Centered Divorce?

February 3, 2021 By Paula Locke Smyth

Child Centered Divorce

A divorce can be so contentious that the parents, who are focused on themselves, lose sight of the needs of their kids. A child-centered divorce is one in which the children’s best interests are the primary concern of the parents. Putting the Children in the Middle When parents cannot agree on custody and the division of time each of them will spend with the children, the Judge will decide … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Divorce Tagged With: Child-Centered, Children

Most Common Reason People Get A Divorce

December 31, 2020 By Paula Locke Smyth

reasons for divorce

The divorce rate in the U.S. is shockingly high. There are many reasons that couples cannot maintain their relationship and decide to part ways. Texas law provides for both a no-fault divorce and a divorce based upon fault grounds. A No-Fault Divorce in Texas The Texas Family Code allows for a divorce without regard to fault “if the marriage has become insupportable because of discord or … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Divorce Tagged With: Common

Should I Hire an Attorney to Represent Me in My Divorce?

August 26, 2020 By Paula Locke Smyth

Hiring an attorney

If you and your spouse have no children and own no property together, you may be able to do your divorce yourselves.  “No property” means you literally own nothing as a couple, not even a car.  The “pro se” forms approved by the Texas Supreme Court are relatively easy to fill out in this type of divorce. Child Custody Issues There are many issues that need to be resolved between … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Divorce Tagged With: Attorney

Fear and Divorce

June 22, 2020 By Paula Locke Smyth

Fear and Divorce

Individuals going through a divorce often experience fear.  The uncertainty of their future can sometimes be so severe that the individual becomes immobilized and unable to make decisions.  They are going through a huge life change and their daily life as they knew it has ended. Some Specific Fears Divorcing People May Face Where to live.  The concept of home that they have … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Divorce Tagged With: Fears

What is Co-Parenting?

May 13, 2020 By Paula Locke Smyth

couple and kids

Divorcing parents are concerned about child custody and visitation. They worry about how their relationship with their child or children will be affected. The couple may fight with each other about what they each think is in the best interest of the child. Courts encourage the parents to work together in co-parenting their children and to come up with a parenting plan that will work for them … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Child Custody, Divorce Tagged With: Co-Parenting, Parenting Plan

How Much Does a Divorce Cost?

April 22, 2020 By Paula Locke Smyth

divorce costs over time

Many family lawyers offer free consultations or charge clients a reduced fee for their initial consultations. If you are looking to find out how much your divorce will cost, the answer you will usually get is “it depends.” This is not a dodge -- there are many factors that can impact the cost of a divorce, not the least of which is if your case is agreed or if it involves minor children. Try to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Divorce Tagged With: Divorce Costs, factors

Divorce Mistakes: Texting and Social Media

February 25, 2020 By Paula Locke Smyth

older woman with two phones

Texting while divorcing, or posting on FB, Twitter or other social media platform, are all things you should not do while in the middle of a divorce.  Airing your thoughts, frustrations, and misery on social platforms can come back to haunt you later.  Anything you put out there can and will be used against you in court. Texts and Social Media Posts are Easily Misinterpreted As for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Divorce Tagged With: Communication, Mistakes, social media

Why Is It Important to Have A Child-Centered Divorce?

February 19, 2020 By Paula Locke Smyth

child-centered

When people divorce, their children may hear their parents arguing and feel like it is somehow their fault.  They wonder what will happen to them.  At our law office, we help parents step back from their own emotional issues and work to have a child-centered divorce. Child-Centered Divorce Using the Collaborative Process A collaborative divorce is a way that a couple can part ways … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Divorce Tagged With: Child-Centered, Children, Importance

How to Tell Children About Divorce

December 17, 2019 By Paula Locke Smyth

child heart broken after divorce

Telling children that you are divorcing is one of the hardest parts of the divorce process.  In almost every case, the children think it is somehow their fault, or at least believe they are partially to blame.  One child may think, “If I had only made the team…” or “If I had only gotten better grades…” then my parents would have stayed together.  It is important to let the children … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Divorce Tagged With: Children, Communication, Telling Kids

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • …
  • 12
  • Next Page »

Paula Lock Smyth Law Offices

2911 Turtle Creek Blvd. Ste. 300
Dallas, Texas 75219

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

Find what you need…

Additional Videos

VIDEO Title 1 Placeholder Text
VIDEO Title 1 Placeholder Text
VIDEO Title 1 Placeholder Text
VIDEO Title 1 Placeholder Text
VIDEO Title 1 Placeholder Text
VIDEO Title 1 Placeholder Text

Contact Us

From the Blog

Pets and Divorce

If you and your spouse are getting divorced and have a pet, you already know how emotional the … [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.

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2025 · by Paula Lock Smyth Law Offices. All rights reserved.

· · ·

Website Design by The Crouch Group

Log in

  • 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