Going through a contentious divorce is not easy. And if the situation involves substantial assets, the process becomes even more complicated.  Texas is a community property state, which means assets are split 50/50. However, some people don’t want to abide by the law and would prefer that their spouse receive less than their fair share. Fortunately, forensic accountants can prevent that unethical practice from occurring. Safeguarding your financial future Divorce involves the division of assets, liabilities, and financial resources, and when substantial assets are involved, the situation ..read more

Divorce can sometimes bring out the very worst behavior in couples. The pain and anger they feel can cause them to lash out at their soon-to-be exes — and one of the easiest outlets for this release is social media. But while that reaction may be understandable, it is also counterproductive for a good outcome from your Texas divorce. Read on to learn why using restraint with social media is always the better course of action during a divorce. It paints an unrealistic picture of your life It’s natural to post the best photos of yourself online. No one wants to post pictures of themselves wearin ..read more

Co-parenting requires both adults to work as a team to raise the children. This isn’t always possible, such as in situations involving abuse or neglect. For those who are able to co-parent, being able to compromise is important. One of the most important things to do is to remember to put your child’s interests first. Being able to do what’s best for the children isn’t always the easiest option, but it’s usually for the best. Consider these tips for compromising as co-parents: Communicate openly and respectfully Open and respectful communication is critical when trying to compromise with a co ..read more

Divorce can be tough, particularly when children are involved. There will likely be numerous significant changes, including who the child lives with. Generally, the court prefers both parents to be involved in the upbringing of their children. Both parents will likely retain some custody rights.  However, there are occasions when the court may insist that visitation with a parent is supervised. When might this happen? Potential risks for the child  The court may insist that supervised visitation takes place if there are any security risks for the child. For example, if the court beli ..read more

Spousal support, or alimony, is a payment made by one spouse to the other during or after divorce. Its purpose is (usually) to help the lower-earning spouse meet their reasonable expenses and maintain a similar standard of living they were used to during the marriage. If you are going through a divorce in Texas, you may wonder if you are entitled to receive spousal support. The answer to that depends on various aspects of your situation, as spousal support is not automatic for every divorcing couple in Texas. You must fulfill certain conditions If you cannot agree with your spouse on the amoun ..read more

Working with your ex-spouse after divorcing can be challenging. However, if you have worked to build a business, doing so is likely best for everyone. Here are some tips to help you maintain a professional working relationship with your ex-spouse after divorce. Keep personal and professional life separate It’s essential to draw a clear line between your personal and professional life. Keep your divorce-related emotions and issues out of the workplace. Maintain a professional demeanor and focus on your job responsibilities during working hours. Communicate effectively Clear and respectful commu ..read more

Credit card debt has a way of creating disagreements during Texas divorces. Spouses may argue over which debts are part of the marital estate. For example, one spouse may want to exclude credit card balances related to an extramarital affair when negotiating a community property settlement. Additionally, spouses may disagree vehemently about the reasonable or fair way to divide those debts. Sometimes, one spouse takes responsibility for a significant amount of the debt because they retain more marital assets or have a higher income. Other times, each spouse accepts responsibility for certain d ..read more

In Texas, understanding the concept of community property is important when navigating the complexities of divorce. Community property laws dictate how assets and debts accumulated during a marriage are divided upon divorce.  This system is based on the principle that both spouses contribute equally to the marriage, regardless of their individual income levels or the source of assets. Learn more about community property here.  Defining community property Community property includes nearly all assets and debts either spouse acquired during the marriage. This encompasses real estate, b ..read more

Married couples enjoy a higher standard of living because they pool their resources. They also both contribute to the maintenance and upkeep of the home where they live. Spouses in Texas often commit a sizable portion of their monthly budget toward their residences. Mortgage payments can often consume up to 30% of someone’s standard monthly income. Beyond that, people may also have a second mortgage or home equity line of credit. They may save up for repairs, expansions or remodeling projects. The more years that they live together in the home, the more equity they accrue. How can divorcing sp ..read more

If you’re going through a divorce and have children, then you and your soon-to-be-ex-spouse may need to have a child custody agreement. Child custody agreements determine each parent’s physical and legal custody.  Physical custody establishes each parent’s role in maintaining a routine with their children, such as where they live on a day-to-day basis. Legal custody determines each parent’s right to direct their children’s upbringing, such as where they go to school, their medical needs and dietary restrictions.  There are a few options you may have as you discuss child custody with ..read more