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

Dallas Family Law Blog

Understanding property division principles and process helps

May 15, 2015 By Crouch Group

When a couple is divorcing, their assets are divided according to equitable property division rules. The complexity of the process can vary by the number and nature of the assets involved in the divorce process. Understanding the property division process and how it works can lend itself to a smoother divorce process which can save time, money and acrimony for the parties involved. In addition … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Divorce Tagged With: property division, Texas

What is a lump sum alimony payment?

April 30, 2015 By Crouch Group

Payments made from one spouse to another after a divorce is finalized are known as alimony, or spousal support or maintenance. These payments are made from one spouse to another and the aim is to provide support to the dependent spouse and allow them the opportunity to continue living their life in a standard similar to what they were doing before the divorce. Dallas residents may only be … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Adoption Tagged With: factors

File your taxes under the right filing status

April 17, 2015 By Crouch Group

While another tax season has come and gone, another tax deadline will be upon us before we know it. During the time in-between, events may occur that will further complicate the process of filing, one being divorce. There are many questions that pop into one’s mind, including how does one decide which status to file under-married filing jointly or single and who claims the children as exceptions? … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Divorce Tagged With: alimony

How long does divorce take?

April 3, 2015 By Crouch Group

It is often not easy to decide to put an end to one’s marriage, but once Texas residents make the decision they may want the whole process to be over as soon as possible so they can begin to move on.  Therefore, their first question may be about the estimated time it will take for their divorce to become final. Unfortunately, there is no clear-cut answer to this question.  A number of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Child Custody, Divorce Tagged With: divorce in Texas, legal issues, property division, Texas, Time Frame

Let our experience guide you through stepparent adoption

March 19, 2015 By Crouch Group

All Texas families with children want the best for them and many choose a second spouse accordingly, hoping that their new spouse will love their child the same way they do and provide them with the security and stability their child needs and craves. As discussed previously on the Dallas Family Law Blog, one of the ways stepparents can provide this security is by adopting their stepchild. Lawyers … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Adoption Tagged With: biological parent, stepparent adoption, Texas

How can a stepparent adopt his or her spouse’s child?

March 6, 2015 By Crouch Group

Raising a child alone is difficult and one of the reasons that Texas single parents may decide to marry, with the added benefit of providing their children with more security. One of the ways that a newly married Texas resident can give the child of a new spouse security is by adopting that child. Stepparent adoption can be a way to complete the family and share in the duties and obligations owed … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Adoption Tagged With: biological parent, Children, stepparent adoption

Consent in adoption proceedings

February 19, 2015 By Crouch Group

Some parents may not be able to provide for their children the way they would have dreamed of, and, in order to ensure their children get the very best they possibly can, they make the difficult decision to put their children up for adoption.  Last time on the Dallas Family Law Blog, readers were given a brief overview of who can adopt a child.  But it is equally important to know who … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Adoption Tagged With: adoptive parent, Court, custody

Who can adopt?

February 6, 2015 By Crouch Group

One way in which Texas couples can complete their families is to adopt a child. Adopting a child means becoming the formal guardian of another person and taking over the rights and responsibilities that come along with it. In addition to the legal relationship that this process creates, it provides parents an amazing opportunity to care for and nurture a child and give the child all the support … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Adoption Tagged With: adoptive parent, best interests of the child, factors

An effective parenting plan is possible with the right assistance

January 24, 2015 By Crouch Group

Last week, this blog noted the importance of keeping a parenting plan centered on the needs of the child. However, in some child custody situations, parents may wonder if it is possible to create a secure and agreeable parenting plan. A parenting plan is one way parents going through a divorce can ensure their children will have the best care and treatment from both parents regardless of the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Child Custody, Divorce Tagged With: best interests of the child, child custody dispute, emotions, Parenting Plan

Keeping parenting plans about the child’s needs

January 9, 2015 By Crouch Group

Divorce is often a stressful, emotional and unexpected event, but parents in Texas and elsewhere need to be aware how the process impacts their children. While it is clear that the divorce process will significantly change the lives of both parents, the decisions they make during dissolution shape the upbringing a child will be faced with. More importantly, a parenting plan should be about the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Child Custody, Divorce Tagged With: best interests of the child, Children, Parenting Plan

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 15
  • 16
  • 17
  • 18
  • 19
  • …
  • 21
  • 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

Wife ends up paying for disparaging comments against ex-husband

When a couple first marries, they pledge to love one another and fight together through the good and … [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