Though the term alimony is thrown about in discussions regarding the end of a marriage in Texas, the proper term for the concept in Texas is known as spousal maintenance. Unlike in most other states, it is of limited duration and is only ordered for as long as it takes the receiving spouse to acquire either education or employment that would allow the spouse to become independent. If a marriage … [Read more...]
Dallas Family Law Blog
Residency requirements for divorce in Texas
Deciding to end a marriage is never an easy decision and it may take months of deliberation to decide whether this is the right step. Once the decision has been made, however, many people want to quickly get through the process so they can begin moving on-similar to pulling off a band aid quickly to avoid elongating pain. However, there is one thing many people overlook yet it is, perhaps, the … [Read more...]
Is a prenup always enforceable?
Most couples go into marriage with the hope that it will be an everlasting union, but they are also aware of the reality that it is possible their marriage may not last. One of the ways they may try to prepare and protect themselves in case this happens, especially if they anticipate a high asset divorce, is to create a prenuptial agreement. In their prenuptial agreement, they can agree on … [Read more...]
Assisting grandparents exercise their rights
There is no doubt that the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren is unique, but in child custody cases, the rights of grandparents are not always clear. Sometimes, it is necessary to turn to an experienced attorney to guide grandparents through the legal maze. Even though certain cases in Texas have prioritized parental rights over those grandparents may exercise, the window on … [Read more...]
What rights do grandparents have after parents divorce?
When a couple ends their marriage with one another, perhaps their feelings and their children’s wellbeing is their focus at that emotional time, so family members such as grandparents might end up in the dark. Many grandparents in Texas have strong and healthy bonds with their grandchildren, and after a divorce, they are suddenly left with few options with regard to visiting their grandchildren or … [Read more...]
Basics of the stepparent adoption process
There is not one single blueprint for a family. There are many different way a family makeup can differ from the next, but none of these devaluate the affection and love a family unit can possess. When two people enter into marriage with children already in the mix, there can be some question of how exactly a stepparent can legally adopt their spouse’s children. While stepparent … [Read more...]
Role of mental health professionals in collaborative law divorce
One of the advantages of opting for a collaborative law divorce in Texas is the divorce team available to the couple that has decided to end their marriage. Neutral experts who are trained in collaborative law join the process to assist in making important decisions regarding financial and custodial settlements. Mental health professionals are part of these teams from the onset, and meet with the … [Read more...]
Collaborative law divorce more effective than traditional
Every family is unique; income levels, personal situations and the reasons that they decide to put an end to a marriage, are different for every couple in Texas. However, when these couples end up in court during the divorce process because they were unable to agree on property division or child custody on their own, they may find that the orders do not suit their individual circumstances; they … [Read more...]
Does a collaborative law approach differ from a traditional one?
It is generally not easy for couples in Texas to decide that they want to put an end to their marriages and when they think about the amount of time they might have to spend in courts in pursuit of their divorces, it seems like an additional headache. In addition to this, it is possible that an amicable relationship between the divorcing couple is affected by the bitterness that sometimes … [Read more...]
Importance of establishing paternity to enforce fathers’ rights
When a child is born to a married couple in Texas, the couple is legally considered the parents of the child – the husband is legally considered the father of the child unless a court has determined he is not the father. But what happens when the couple is not married, as is the case more and more frequently, or a mother is unsure of who the father is? In these cases, paternity has to … [Read more...]