Paula Lock Smyth

Dallas Family Law & Divorce Attorney

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You are here: Home / Archives for Texas

What is a No-Fault Divorce and Why is it Important?

June 26, 2023 By Paula Lock Smyth

No-Fault Divorce

A no-fault divorce refers to the Texas Family Code grounds for divorce.  In a no-fault divorce, a court can grant the dissolution of a marriage without blaming either party for the failure of the marriage.  No-fault divorce acknowledges that the marriage is insupportable (i.e. irretrievably broken down) and that there is no chance of reconciliation. The importance of no-fault divorce is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Collaborative Divorce Tagged With: No-Fault Divorce, Texas

What Is a Standard Possession Schedule?

February 3, 2023 By Paula Lock 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

Over 50 and Considering Divorce? What Texans Need to Know

July 13, 2022 By Paula Lock Smyth

Over 50 and Divorce

Couples over 50 who are divorcing generally have different issues than younger couples. For the most part, they are couples who have been married for many years. Perhaps they have been waiting for the children to become adults and leave home. Now that that has happened, they are ready to go forward with their divorce plans. Issues Specific to Older Couples Some issues that are specific to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Collaborative Divorce, Divorce Tagged With: divorce in Texas, end of a marriage, factors, Over 50, Texas

How Fast Can Someone Get a Divorce in Texas?

October 20, 2021 By Paula Lock Smyth

Fast Divorce in Texas

According to Texas law, you must wait a minimum of 60 days after the divorce petition is filed before the divorce can be finalized. The likely purpose of the waiting period is to give the parties time to reflect and see if there is any possibility of reconciliation. A problem that arises is that sometimes, the parties think something magical happens on Day 61 and that the divorce is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Divorce Tagged With: divorce in Texas, factors, Texas, Time Frame

Two Approaches To Divorce In Texas

August 18, 2017 By Staff - S.R.

two approaches to divorce

In most cases, a divorce in Texas actually consists of two family law issues that are consolidated into a single case. Assuming that there are children and property, the first and most important issue that’s addressed involves the best interests of the children of the parties to the divorce. Don’t Delay After Service In nearly all cases, the petitioner must serve the respondent with a … [Read more...]

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

Ways to establish paternity in Texas

April 5, 2017 By Crouch Group

The most basic aspects of the law can sometimes be the most complicated and confusing.  Such is the case with the establishment of paternity in Texas.  It is important to establish paternity for a multitude of reasons, not the least of which the best interests of the child, and the parents knowing who the biological father is.  It is also important for providing support to the child … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fathers' Rights Tagged With: Paternity, Texas

Residency restriction issues can affect Texas parents

March 22, 2017 By Crouch Group

When two parents in Texas split up, it raises a whole host of legal issues surrounding the care of their child. Naturally both parents want to maintain a nurturing relationship with their child, and to that end, in child custody cases, Texas courts aim to see that a child is given the opportunity to spend frequent and regular time with both of his or her parents. This means that sometimes the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Child Custody Tagged With: factors, legal issues, relocation, Texas

Rights of a parent with regard to child custody in Texas

March 9, 2017 By Crouch Group

Many people in Texas are parents. While the parents are together, co-parenting and raising a child can be a little simpler. However, when parents divorce or split up, the parenting dynamics change drastically. The children obviously cannot be in two places at one time. In many situations, the children will end up splitting time between both parents' abodes. The parents will also still have to make … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Child Custody Tagged With: Children, custody, Parents, Rights, Texas

Can I adopt my stepchild in Texas?

November 18, 2016 By Crouch Group

One of the main reasons families decide to adopt a child in Texas is because it gives them the opportunity to complete their family and give a child a loving, nurturing environment for them to grow up in.  One type of adoption is a stepparent adoption, in which the spouse of a parent requests the adoption court for legal parental rights of the children of their spouse.  The only … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Adoption Tagged With: Children, stepparent adoption, Texas

How can paternity be established in Texas?

October 21, 2016 By Crouch Group

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...]

Filed Under: Fathers' Rights Tagged With: Paternity, Texas

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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

Standard Possession Schedule

What Is a Standard Possession Schedule?

In Texas, when parents divorce, one parent is commonly the one who provides the children with their … [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?
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