Taxes are complicated enough without the added confusion of figuring out who can legally claim the children on their taxes after divorce. Your filing status and ability to claim dependents can significantly reduce your tax liability and as a result, some parents find this to be a “hot button” issue with their ex, especially if there are no written agreements already in place. The good news is that the IRS has strict rules around who gets to claim the children after divorce as well as how you are allowed to file (single or head of household). First, some basics. After divorce, you will likely ..read more

If you and/or your family member(s) are victims of domestic violence in Texas, we know that making the internal decision to leave your abuser can often be the ‘easiest’ part; the terrifying and often complicated part is actually leaving them, and pursuing legal action. There are domestic violence laws in Texas which are specifically created to provide you protection from your abuser. If you are in an abusive situation and need help, please contact the ,National Domestic Abuse Hotline (online chat available on website) or by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or texting “START” to 88788. Types of Do ..read more

Divorce in Texas will typically be categorized as either contested (with or without children) or uncontested (with or without children). As the name suggests, an uncontested divorce means the spouses agree to the terms of the divorce, have likely discussed and agreed to a parenting plan (if there are children involved), and have agreed to the basic terms of a settlement agreement. A contested divorce means that the spouses do not agree to some or all the terms of the divorce which can result in a highly complex legal divorce process. This article will cover (generally) what a contested divorce ..read more

Taxes are complicated enough without the added confusion of figuring out who can legally claim the children on their taxes after divorce. Your filing status and ability to claim dependents can significantly reduce your tax liability and as a result, some parents find this to be a “hot button” issue with their ex, especially if there are no written agreements already in place. The good news is that the IRS has strict rules around who gets to claim the children after divorce as well as how you are allowed to file (single or head of household). First, some basics. After divorce, you will likely ..read more

We get this question a lot, and not just from fathers. As a biological or adoptive parent, you are required to provide for your children until they reach the 'age of majority'. In Texas, the 'age of majority' is 18. In some cases involving special needs children, the duration for child support can be indefinite. The amount of time each parent spends with the child will most always be the determining factor for who is to make the child support payments. In most Texas child support cases, it is the “non custodial parent”, the parent who spends the least amount of time with the child, who will be ..read more

If you and/or your family member(s) are victims of domestic violence in Texas, we know that making the internal decision to leave your abuser can often be the ‘easiest’ part; the terrifying and often complicated part is actually leaving them, and pursuing legal action. There are domestic violence laws in Texas which are specifically created to provide you protection from your abuser. If you are in an abusive situation and need help, please contact the ,National Domestic Abuse Hotline (online chat available on website) or by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or texting “START” to 88788. Types of Do ..read more

What is a Texas SAPCR? SAPCR is an acronym which stands for ‘suit affecting the parent-child relationship’. If you are going through a divorce with children in Texas, a SAPCR is an essential part of that process as the overall objective of a Texas SAPCR is to create the best possible environment for the child(ren). It is meant to establish the best environment possible for the child or children who are directly impacted by the divorce proceedings. When is a Texas SAPCR filed? As soon as a petition for divorce in Texas is filed and there are minor children involved, a SAPCR is automatically ini ..read more

In court cases involving parents who disagree on issues involving their children, the court (or a government agency or guardian) have the option of requesting to have a neutral attorney involved to help determine what resolutions will be in the child’s best interest. This is when a Texas attorney ad litem or amicus attorney become involved in the case. What is the difference between an amicus attorney and an attorney ad litem in Texas? While they perform very similar duties, their roles are different. The job of an attorney ad litem is to represent the child while the amicus attorney (appointe ..read more

Divorce in Texas will typically be categorized as either contested (with or without children) or uncontested (with or without children). As the name suggests, an uncontested divorce means the spouses agree to the terms of the divorce, have likely discussed and agreed to a parenting plan (if there are children involved), and have agreed to the basic terms of a settlement agreement. A contested divorce means that the spouses do not agree to some or all the terms of the divorce which can result in a highly complex legal divorce process. This article will cover (generally) what a contested divorce ..read more

When step-parent adoption is being considered, it is almost always a favorable situation for both the child(ren) and adults. It is a beautiful thing when there is a step-parent who is so deeply involved in a family (and devoted to the child and spouse) that they would like to become the legal parent of the child. While the process of step-parent adoption in Texas is similar to that of adoption, the process requires multiple steps and deadlines and consulting an attorney who specializes in Texas step-parent adoption process and law is strongly encouraged. ,Who can file a step-parent adoption ca ..read more