Divorce is undoubtedly a challenging experience for families. Its consequences can extend beyond emotional upheaval. A divorce can affect many aspects of a child’s life, particularly their education. As a parent going through a divorce, it’s crucial to understand and address the potential impact on your child’s education. Financial Planning for Educational Expenses After a divorce, one of the first things to consider is financial planning. This is especially true for your child’s education. Except in certain situations, Texas law ends the obligation to pay current child or medical support at ..read more

Congratulations on your engagement! As you embark on this journey towards marriage, it’s important to begin to understand the financial aspects of your union, including the often overlooked but highly recommended prenuptial and post marital agreements. Let’s explore why these agreements are essential for safeguarding your assets and securing your future together. Who Needs a Prenup? Anyone with assets or obligations from previous relationships should seriously consider a prenuptial agreement. This includes if you or your fiancé own property, have retirement savings, or have any financial comp ..read more

So, you find yourself at a crossroads, believing that your marriage has run its course. It’s a tough situation to be in, but understanding your next steps is crucial. Let’s walk through what you need to consider, especially if there are minor children or complex finances involved. For Those with Children If there are minor children in the picture, it is recommended that you and your spouse sit down together, if possible, and have a conversation with the children about the breakup. Avoid talking to them separately and please do not try to sway them to your side. Divorce can be traumatic for ki ..read more

Residency laws are pivotal in Texas divorce proceedings. They outline the prerequisites you must meet before beginning a divorce in Texas and determine which jurisdiction within the state is appropriate for filing. Understanding and adhering to these residency requirements is of utmost importance when considering divorce in Texas, as it can have a substantial impact on the legality and efficiency of the entire process. Residency Requirements To get a divorce in the state of Texas, you must meet specific residency criteria: State Residency: You or your spouse must have lived in the state of T ..read more

As an experienced Dallas Family Law Attorney, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the dynamics of mediation firsthand, both as a Mediator and as an attorney representing a party to the mediation. Mediation is a powerful tool in resolving legal disputes, offering both advantages and potential pitfalls. The Pros of Mediation The pros of mediation are abundant, and they play a pivotal role in shaping successful resolutions. High Success Rates: Mediation is remarkably successful in settling cases, especially when attorney mediators are involved. Whether it’s a two-party dispute or a complex mul ..read more

Divorce is rarely an easy process, but when one of the parties involved has a high conflict personality, it can become an emotional rollercoaster.  High conflict personalities can create a hostile environment, leading to increased disputes and challenges during the divorce process. Understanding the High Conflict Personality Type A high conflict personality is someone who possesses a strong need to be right and often exhibits control issues. The term “narcissistic personality” has also become a buzz word to describe such individuals. They tend to see the world in black and white, where t ..read more

Going through a divorce can be emotionally challenging, but it’s crucial to approach the process with caution. By avoiding certain behaviors, individuals can help mitigate additional complications and work towards a smoother transition. There are several important things to avoid while going through a divorce. Steer Clear of the Courtroom: It’s advisable to explore alternatives to the courtroom whenever possible. Engaging in mediation allows both parties to work through their differences while maintaining privacy. By opting for mediation, even if the spouses can no longer be in the same room ..read more

When couples find themselves unable to agree on essential matters related to their divorce, it becomes a contested divorce.  In this blog post, we delve into the concept of a contested divorce, exploring disagreements that can lead to such a situation and the different methods available to resolve them, including mediation and collaborative divorce. Understanding a Contested Divorce: A contested divorce occurs when the spouses are unable to reach an agreement on critical matters such as child custody, property division, or even the grounds for divorce itself. These issues become points of ..read more

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 that it streamlines the legal process, minimizes conflict and hostility, and provides individuals with the opportunity to move forward with their lives. In fault-based divorces, individuals try to pro ..read more

As a family law attorney in Texas, I often am asked about the waiting period for divorce. Many clients are frustrated by the idea that they can’t simply walk into a courtroom and have their divorce finalized on the spot. However, there are good reasons for the waiting period, which is mandated by Texas law. The waiting period for divorce in Texas is 60 days. This means that from the date that your divorce petition is filed with the District Clerk, you must wait at least 60 days before your divorce can be finalized. There are two exceptions to this waiting period, but both involve cases of dom ..read more