Navigating the complexities of family law can be challenging, especially when it comes to understanding your parental rights. In Texas, parental rights are designed to protect the relationship between a parent and their child, ensuring that both parties’ best interests are taken into account. As a parent going through a divorce, seeking custody, or facing other family law issues, learning about your rights can help you make informed decisions with your attorney about how to proceed in any given legal matter. Learn about parental rights in Texas below, and contact the Law Office of Maria Lowry ..read more

When couples are divorcing and one of the parties has recently received an inheritance, an important question often arises in the minds of both parties: Is the inheritance included in the property division? On the one hand, the inheritance occurred during the marriage, and property acquired during marriage is community property. On the other hand, the inheritance was bestowed only on one of the spouses by virtue of that person’s relationship to the deceased. Read on to learn how Texas law treats an inheritance when it comes to the division of marital property, and contact the Law Office of Mar ..read more

The right of parents to share custody of their children doesn’t arise because of marriage; it arises due to the fact that they had a child together. That said, custody decisions and disputes regarding unmarried parents are in many ways more complex to sort out than disputes among married couples who are going through a divorce. Different rules and laws may apply, although the primary interest of the courts in both cases is in doing what is best for the child. Read on for a discussion of Texas child custody laws and how they apply to co-parents who had a child together but were never married. F ..read more

Understanding Separate Property in Texas Divorces Obtaining a divorce involves several moving parts. Beyond dissolving the marriage itself, critical questions must be resolved such as spousal support, child custody and child support where applicable, and of course, the division of marital property. A crucial component of the property division is the determination of separate property as distinct from community (marital) property. Continue reading for a discussion of this vital issue, and contact the Law Office of Maria Lowry for guidance in the property division and other important aspects of ..read more

The rules have changed for family law litigation. For divorce, child support and alimony cases filed on or after September 1, 2023, the process for discovery will be simpler than it was before. Read on to learn about what “discovery” means in the context of a divorce or other family law matter, and how the newly adopted court rules should make it easier to get the information you need to pursue your case effectively. For help with divorce, child custody, and other family law matters in Houston, contact the Law Office of Maria Lowry to discuss your needs and goals. What Is Discovery? Discovery ..read more

HB 1547 is now in effect in the state of Texas. We first offered a simplified guide to Texas’ new marital reimbursement law in August, but now that the law is fully in effect, let’s take a deeper dive into this new rule that makes reimbursements simpler and fairer when it comes to property division in the context of divorce. If you are going through a divorce in Texas and dealing with complex property division issues such as a claim for reimbursement from the community estate, you’ll want expert legal guidance from a skilled and knowledgeable family law attorney. In Harris County, contact the ..read more

When it comes to divorce, one of the most complex and often contentious issues is the division of assets. In Texas, the concept of “community property” plays a significant role in this process. Understanding what community property is and how it impacts asset division can help you navigate the complexities of divorce more effectively. Read on to learn more about this often confusing and complex yet vital legal topic, and contact the Law Office of Maria Lowry for help with a divorce in Houston. What Is Community Property? Community property is a legal term used to describe assets acquired by ei ..read more

Even an amicable divorce can become a complex matter when it comes time to work out questions related to child custody and visitation, or conservatorship and possession as they are known in Texas. When the issue of adultery is present, the divorce process is more emotionally fraught, but is it more complicated from a legal standpoint? Whether marital misconduct plays a role when it comes to child custody is not cut-and-dried but depends on several factors. Read on to learn how Texas laws and Texas courts approach this sensitive topic, and contact the Law Office of Maria Lowry if you are dealin ..read more

Texas law is continuously evolving to reflect societal changes and meet the varying needs of its citizens. In that vein, the Texas legislature has recently passed a new law, House Bill 1547 (HB 1547), that significantly alters the way a spouse can claim reimbursement from the marital estate during a divorce. These changes involve a complex legal area, but it’s one that is vital to understand in a Texas divorce case. This blog post aims to break down the key components of this new law in a way that’s easily understandable, even if you aren’t a divorce lawyer. For help with divorce in Texas, inc ..read more

Texas courts decide child custody matters based on a holistic review of the best interests of the child. Under most circumstances, the court will find a way to maintain some custodial relationship between the child and both parents. Texas courts tend to believe that children benefit from continued contact with both of their parents. There are, however, circumstances under which a court will determine that a parent is unfit and that the child’s health and well-being are best served by severing the parent-child relationship. Read on for a discussion of the court’s analysis when deciding whether ..read more