There are certain legal rights and obligations that arise from having children that married couples in Texas take for granted, the most common being the existence of father’s rights over his child. However, it is not the same for unmarried couples -- fathers have to establish their paternity in Texas. Father’s rights can be established by either signing the Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP) or by … [Read more...]
Dallas Family Law Blog
Creating a viable custody and visitation schedule
Couples in Texas may go through many changes and turbulent times, facilitating the need for the end of the marriage. It is by no means an easy decision for most families, especially when there are children involved. Despite the end of their legal relationship with one another, parents will usually want to continue a bond with their offspring. The benefits of this to both parties, especially … [Read more...]
Shared parenting benefits children of divorce
Although a divorcing couple agrees to end the legal relationship with one another, when there are children involved the relationship never really comes to an end. In some divorces, where the split has not been amicable, ex-spouses may have no interest in speaking to one another but, according to the Attorney General of Texas, shared parenting can be very beneficial for children after a … [Read more...]
Can children choose who to live with in a divorce?
Many couples in Texas may be under the misconception that when a child reaches a certain age they can decide which parent they want to live with in the event of a divorce. However, this is not the case. There are certain provisions in the Texas Family Code regarding the right of children to express their wish of where they want to live, but there is no obligation for the judge to fulfill that … [Read more...]
Study shows that divorce filings peak post-summer
As summer vacations come to an end and couples in Texas get back their routines, some couples may begin to realize that the optimism they felt about spending the future with their spouse has dwindled and they are plagued by the same issues they had before summer began. According to a new report, this is known as a "broken promise theory" - couples spend a lot of time together in the summer and it … [Read more...]
The basics of spousal support in Texas
There are many important issues spouses may need to resolve during the divorce process and spousal support may be one of them. During the course of a marriage, trade-off decisions may be made that provide for one spouse to remain at home or not continue or pursue their education. If the couple decides to divorce, the spouse who remained at home or did not pursue a career or education may face … [Read more...]
Understanding different options for divorce
In the United States, sadly, 50 percent of marriages end in divorce. Because of the important life event the end of a marriage can be for many couples, it is useful for couples considering divorce to understand all the different options that may be available to them through the family law process. Options range from traditional divorce to mediation and collaborative law. One … [Read more...]
Communication breakdown does not rule out divorce mediation
There are a variety of reasons for why a couple may decide to end their marriage in Texas, and not all marriages end amicably. When a couple can no longer discuss issues with one another cordially, negotiating the major issues in a divorce agreement can seem out of the question. This is often why couples may turn to litigation rather than collaboration-people believe that since they can no longer … [Read more...]
Negotiate a divorce through collaborative law
Deciding to end a marriage is not easy, but when couples do make the decision, their aim is to work out a settlement agreement that suits their individual and mutual aims while dealing with one another respectfully. When there are children involved, it is even more important to be able to deal with one another amicably and create a settlement that will advance the children’s best interests as … [Read more...]
Drafting a premarital agreement to protect your future
When Texas residents get married, entering into a pre-marital agreement specifying property division in the event of a divorce is oftentimes the last thing they want to think about. This is why some couples opt to enter into a post-nuptial agreement, as mentioned in a previous post. As difficult as it is to envision a future without your current spouse, the reality is that changing circumstances … [Read more...]