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...]
Dallas Family Law Blog
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...]
Rise of post nuptial agreements
Many Texas residents may have heard of a prenuptial agreement-an agreement signed before two people get married that details the division of assets post divorce. However, another type of contractual agreement dictating property division is on the rise-a post nuptial agreement. Unlike their more commonly known partner, these documents are signed after the wedding and in some cases many years after … [Read more...]
Understanding adoption laws in Texas
Many people in Texas seek to adopt a child. It is a noble and positive step to take, but it is also important that the laws of the state are followed when moving forward with the process. If there are violations of the law when trying to complete an adoption, the process could be declared invalid. A case in which a couple had adopted a child, made him or her a part of the family and was later said … [Read more...]
How are location services used for Texas child custody cases?
In Texas, there are times when a parent must be located. For that, there is a program that the state will assist with in locating the parent. This is something that can be used for several reasons including the following: for the establishment of a court order regarding paternity, child support or medical support; to seek child support that has been ordered by the court or for the enforcement of a … [Read more...]
Get help asserting father’s rights in Texas
There is a presumption that a child born to a married couple in Texas must be the father’s biological child. However, if a child is born out of wedlock, it may be necessary for the father to prove he is the biological father either through formally and lawfully acknowledging paternity or undergoing a DNA test. This is important because it allows the father to seek visitation or custody of the … [Read more...]
What if there is mistaken paternity in Texas?
There are situations in Texas when parents might have been under the impression that one particular man was the biological father of the child when he was, in fact, not. A man who thinks he is not the biological father of a child when he was previously ordered to pay child support may seek to have the order rescinded if it is shown that he is not the child’s biological father. A … [Read more...]
Understanding how much must be paid in child support in Texas
When a Dallas couple chooses to part ways and there are children from the relationship, one of the issues that will frequently arise is how much child support must be paid. This is true when the couple was married or was simply in a relationship without marrying. Having an understanding as to how child support is determined, issues that might be in dispute and what circumstances are … [Read more...]
Examining conservatorship in Texas
Conservatorships are the rights and responsibilities of the parent toward the child. The parent who has custody of the child after a divorce is known as the conservator. As with other states, if divorcing parents can come to a decision about a parenting plan, courts enforce that. But if they cannot, then courts decide the terms of the conservatorship according to the best interests of the … [Read more...]
Getting through the holidays after a divorce can be tough
For Texas couples going through a divorce, holidays can be a difficult time. Not only does one have to adjust to spending the holidays alone instead of with one’s spouse, if there are children involved then the spouses have to contend with one another when picking up or dropping off children. This can be just as difficult as not seeing one’s former spouse, as it raises contentious … [Read more...]