Paula Lock Smyth

Dallas Family Law & Divorce Attorney

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Dallas Family Law Blog

Managing Emotions During a Divorce

June 14, 2023 By Paula Locke Smyth

Managing Emotions and Divorce

Managing your emotions during your divorce can be an extremely challenging task. Divorce is an emotional time and can cause intense feelings of sadness, anger, frustration, and fear.  It is crucial to manage and control these emotions during the divorce process because unmanaged emotions can lead to poor decision-making and possibly impede the divorce process. Here are my top divorce tips … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Collaborative Divorce Tagged With: Managing Emotions

What Do People Need to Know About Getting a Divorce in Dallas?  

May 12, 2023 By Paula Locke Smyth

Divorce in Texas

Every jurisdiction has its own rules for how the family law court system works. Dallas County is no different. It is a large county, which means there are many courts assigned to family law matters. There is some specific information relevant to Dallas County that you may find helpful. Dallas County has Specialized Family Law Courts Because of the size of the county, there are specialized … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Collaborative Divorce Tagged With: collaborative law, divorce in Texas

Divorce: Fear of Missing Out

April 6, 2023 By Paula Locke Smyth

Divorce and Emotions

Beginning the divorce process is often intimidating. Emotions run high even if both parties agree that a divorce is going to happen. Often, one spouse wants the divorce and the other one is uncertain or does not want the divorce. Decisions must be made about property division, where will the children live, how can each parent spend quality time with the children and how will a one-household … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Collaborative Divorce Tagged With: Divorce, emotions, Family Law, Fear

Can A Child Choose Who To Live With?

March 17, 2023 By Paula Locke Smyth

Child Choose Which Parent

Child custody and visitation, referred to in Texas as conservatorship and possession, are almost always sensitive subjects. Children may feel tossed about and as though they have no voice if their parents are arguing over their custody. According to the Texas Family Code, at age 12, a child is mature enough to express to the Judge their preference concerning which parent will have primary … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Child Custody Tagged With: Child Custody, Family Court, Visitation

What Happens When You Don’t Have a Standard Possession Schedule?  

March 1, 2023 By Paula Locke Smyth

Possession Schedule

When parents cannot agree on a parenting plan, the court will hear evidence from both sides, and establish a parenting plan which establishes child custody, visitation and child support. Although there is a presumption that the Standard Possession Order (“SPO”) should be in place for all children 3 years of age or older, there are exceptions schedule depending on the unique circumstances of each … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Child Custody Tagged With: Child Visitation, Family Law, Standard Possession Schedule

What Is a Standard Possession Schedule?

February 3, 2023 By Paula Locke Smyth

Standard Possession Schedule

In Texas, when parents divorce, one parent is commonly the one who provides the children with their primary residence. The other parent has a possession schedule. This schedule defines the time that the children will be with the parent who is not the one providing the primary residence. Amicable parents can agree on their own possession schedule for the court to approve. Many parents follow the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Child Custody Tagged With: Child Custody, Family Law, Standard Possession Schedule, Texas

Common Divorce Misconception: Fathers Never Get Custody of Their Children

January 6, 2023 By Paula Locke Smyth

Custody and Fathers

Many people still think that courts prefer to award primary custody of the children to the mother. Although that may have been true decades ago, that is not the reality today. Traditionally, at the time when mothers stayed at home and took care of the children while the man of the house advanced his career, that may have been a natural solution when the couple split up. Now, it may be a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Child Custody, Divorce Tagged With: Children, Common, custody, Fathers

Can I Modify My Divorce Settlement?

October 31, 2022 By Paula Locke Smyth

Divorce Settlement

Divorcing couples often ask if they will later be able to modify the terms of their settlement agreement. The answer is not an easy one and is both yes and no, depending on what portion or portions of the order the person wants to modify. Petition to Modify Only the court can issue an order modifying the terms of a divorce decree. If you need a modification, you must file a petition with the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Collaborative Divorce, Divorce Tagged With: collaborative law, Divorce Settlement, Modifications, property division

What Makes a Good Divorce Lawyer?

October 12, 2022 By Paula Locke Smyth

Better Divorce

Getting a divorce is a highly stressful life event. It helps to have an experienced divorce attorney by your side who you trust to help you make life-changing decisions involved in a divorce. Consider the following qualities as you consider your choice for a divorce attorney. What Makes a Good Divorce Attorney? Some specific qualities in a good divorce attorney are: Someone who really … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Divorce Tagged With: Attorney

The Impact of Parental Alienation on a Divorce Case

August 24, 2022 By Paula Locke Smyth

Parental Alienation in Divorce

Children need both parents involved in their lives. Parents who divorce and have an amicable co-parenting relationship can have a positive impact on their children. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. When one parent harbors anger at their former spouse and lets that anger show in front of the children, that anger can carry over and influence a child also to be angry at that parent. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Divorce Tagged With: Children, Impact

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Paula Lock Smyth Law Offices

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

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

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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.

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  • 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