In the latest issue of PaperCity Magazine, family law board-certified attorney Elisa Reiter describes the realities of divorcing a spouse with the bullying, self-centered tendencies of a narcissist. The feature article includes a number of practical techniques to help clients come out ahead in the process. Difficulties to Overcome Regardless of whether there is a diagnosis of a personality disorder, when one spouse displays the traits of a narcissistic personality, it often creates serious challenges for the other spouse, as well as both attorneys. Traits that can cause problems and potentiall ..read more

Elisa Reiter Summer Custody and Visitation in Texas:  Navigating the Challenges July finds us in the midst of languorous 100+ degree days. Divorced and/or blended families in Texas face unique challenges during the summer months regarding custody and visitation agreements.  This year was unprecedented, with dads having the right to have possession three weekends in a row if they operated by the Standard Possession Order (first weekend, second weekend for Father’s day, and third weekend). Understanding the legal framework and potential obstacles can help parents navigate this complex ..read more

A bill of review in Texas is an equitable proceeding that seeks to set aside a judgment that is no longer appealable or subject to a motion for new trial. The Bill of Review allows a party to seek review of a final judgment or decree when there are allegations of fraud, mistake, or other factors that prevented a fair and just judgment in the original case. In Texas, the key elements to a Bill of Review are: A meritorious defense to the cause of action alleged Which the petitioner was prevented from making by fraud, accident or wrongful act of the opposing party, or by official mistake Unmixed ..read more

By Elisa Reiter I’ve practiced law in Texas for more than 35 years and have witnessed the evolving landscape of LGBTQ+ divorce and other family law matters in our state. The journey towards equality has been a long and arduous one. Recent legal developments have paved the way for a more inclusive and equitable approach to same-sex divorces and other family law matters, such as adoption. The Legal Framework The landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, setting the stage for a new era of legal recognition and standing for LGBTQ+ couples ..read more

In their most recent edition, Dallas Modern Luxury Magazine featured Partners Carla M. Calabrese and Lee Budner as “Power Players.” This descriptive term seems obviously suited for Lee, who leverages tactics from high-stakes litigation to gain strategic advantages in divorce. The fit of the term is less obvious but no less accurate for Carla.  While she offers clients the benefit of more than 30 years of experience in family law and is widely recognized for her expertise, she holds a Master Credential in Collaborative Divorce and invented the concepts of Emotionally Intelligent Divorce® a ..read more

By Elisa Reiter I had the privilege of attending training on  Litigation and Evaluation Involving Abuse Allegations in Family Court Cases (LEFCC) in Irving, Texas recently. Respected experts in the field were among the presenters, including Prof. Joan Meier, Joyanna Silberg, Ph.D., and Bob Geffner, Ph.D. The term parental alienation was coined by Dr. Richard Gardner in 1985. As an advocate, I have lodged and defended against accusations that a parent has engaged in alienating behaviors for four decades. Kayden’s Law is one of many reasons why attorneys, mental health professionals and jud ..read more

For the 17th year, attorneys in the Dallas area have voted Carla Calabrese onto D Magazine’s Best Lawyers list for her unparalleled counsel in the field of family law. Carla is grateful for the consistent recognition from her peers and the sign of deep respect that the award represents. With her 30+ years of family law experience, and a Master Credential in Collaborative Divorce, Carla is considered the go-to lawyer for for high net worth clients, often handling those cases through Collaborative Divorce. In addition to the Best Lawyers award, D Magazine features Carla as an expert on Collabora ..read more

Elisa Reiter At Calabrese Budner, LLP, we help our clients deal with all aspects of divorce. Often our clients have ownership stakes in businesses – ranging from someone who is a C-suite executive, to the owner of a “mom and pop” business, to a humble but prized assumed name entity. Other considerations include the nature of the business and the nature of your ownership stake.  Is your interest in a partnership? Is your interest in a corporation? You need to be aware of a variety of factors, including whether the business was formed during the marriage, and/or may have been formed prior t ..read more

Controlling attorney fees in a divorce in Texas is crucial for conserving money and ensuring that the spending remains reasonable and under control. Calabrese Budner, family law attorneys, emphasize the importance of managing attorney fees effectively and making informed decisions to maximize the value of the community estate. Highlights Attorney fees should be kept reasonable and under control in order to conserve money during a divorce. Clients should work with their attorneys to perform a cost benefit analysis to determine the best approach for their case. Being conscious of spending and m ..read more

In the discussion, Carla Calabrese and Lee Budner from Calabrese Budner address the common concern of whether one’s attorney is effectively advocating for them in a divorce case. They emphasize the importance of distinguishing between aggressive advocacy and mere bluster, highlighting the need for attorneys to effectively channel aggression and tenacity to be truly effective advocates for their clients. Highlights Finding an attorney who is an advocate and understands when to be aggressive and tenacious is crucial in a divorce case. Effective advocacy doesn’t always appear as overt fighting ..read more