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...]
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...]
Texas considering custody law for shared parenting
In an ideal world, once a couple is married they remain together for the rest of their lives and raise their children together, supporting one another emotionally and financially. However, Dallas families are well aware that the reality is much different. Oftentimes, marriages come to an end for various reasons and couples with children have to come up with a way to raise their … [Read more...]
Am I eligible to receive spousal maintenance after my divorce?
Alimony, or spousal maintenance as it is called in Texas, is a periodic payment made from one spouse to the other and generally comes from the paying spouse’s income. Texas residents may be aware that when a marriage comes to an end a spouse may be eligible to receive alimony from their soon to be ex-spouse. This is particularly true if the receiving spouse does not have enough property at the … [Read more...]
Understanding property division principles and process helps
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...]
How long does divorce take?
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...]
Let our experience guide you through stepparent adoption
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...]
Property division rules in Texas
There are lots of difficult decisions that must be made when a couple decides to end their marriage. After child custody matters, perhaps the most important is deciding how to divide property amongst the divorcing couple. However, the couple’s choice is not the only deciding factor-where a couple decides to divorce is also important. Some states follow the equitable distribution rules whereas some … [Read more...]
How can a collaborative law divorce benefit Texans?
When Dallas couples think of divorce, their minds may flash to acrimonious courtroom scenes that leave emotions and wallets in tatters. However, a divorce does not always have to leave parties feeling bitter and resentful towards each other. A collaborative law divorce provides an alternative by helping the parties involved reach a settlement that helps ensure everyone is able to live the best … [Read more...]
TX property division: alimony issue in heated billionaire divorce
Although many couples initially wish to end their marriage amicably, that does not mean that disagreements will not come up. Sometimes, these disagreements can become so heated that they lead to a particularly contentious divorce. Texas residents may be interested to hear that the divorce between billionaire and hedge-fund manager Ken Griffin and his wife has turned bitter. Griffin’s wife … [Read more...]