When parents divorce or separate in Texas, the change in their relationship has an immediate impact on the children in their household. There is an expectation in most cases that parents should share parental rights and responsibilities with one another in accordance with Texas statutes. The law outlines certain rights for parents and also imposes specific obligations on them. Unless the circumstances warrant a sole custody arrangement, both adults in the family have certain duties to the children and certain rights stemming from their parental relationship. There are three primary rights and ..read more

Effective communication between co-parents is pivotal for the well-being of their children. When parents collaborate and communicate effectively, it fosters a stable environment for the children and minimizes the stress and confusion that can accompany parental separation. Co-parents should consider implementing these strategies that may improve co-parenting communication. 1. Focus on the children The primary focus in any co-parenting relationship should be the children’s well-being. Conversations should center around the children’s needs, activities and emotions. By keeping the dialogue child ..read more

Every marriage is unique – and that means that each is uniquely vulnerable to different stressors and strains that can pull a couple apart. Could some marital discord be entirely predictable, however? Some of the things that, statistically speaking, indicate a couple could be doomed from the start are pretty strange – at least, at first look. They include the following. The bride had doubts before the wedding When a groom has pre-wedding doubts, it doesn’t seem to have any effect on the durability of a marriage. When the bride has doubts, however, the odds of a divorce actually doubles. That m ..read more

Co-parenting can be a challenging journey, but it’s one that many families navigate successfully. The key is to work together to create an environment where your child can grow and thrive. Implementing these practices requires effort from both parties involved. Yet, they can lead to a harmonious co-parenting relationship that benefits everyone. A well-thought-out parenting plan is often the cornerstone of successful co-parenting. It outlines each parent’s responsibilities, including the day-to-day schedule and the division of holidays and vacations. Having a solid plan in place may prevent mis ..read more

During a Texas divorce, an individual’s future can seem uncertain. They may not know where they will live or what assets they can count on to use to rebuild their life. Many people have heard urban legends about community property division and may worry that divorce will leave them in a very bad financial position. The common misconception that people have about community property is that Texas courts will always split a couple’s assets right in half, which is not accurate. While splitting community property in Texas can result in an even split of the value of a couple’s marital estate, the pr ..read more

Bankruptcy is a process that can allow people to eliminate their debt through a court-ordered process. There are two commonly used forms of bankruptcy: Chapter 7 bankruptcy: Also referred to as liquidation bankruptcy, a filer may have their non-exempt assets sold by a trustee to resolve debt with creditors. Liquidating non-exempt assets is rare for filers, however, as most Chapter 7 filers don’t earn enough income to own the kinds of assets that are subject to liquidation (such as luxury property). Chapter 13 bankruptcy: Many people struggle to pay off their debts but still have disposable inc ..read more

Whether your divorce was a long time coming or came on suddenly, closing one chapter so you can move forward can be a great reason to celebrate. You can celebrate your divorce whether you had a good marriage that became distant or if your marriage was stressful and the divorce a challenge. A divorce party is a time to gather your friends to celebrate your next step forward. Here’s what you should know about planning a party to celebrate your divorce. Choose an exciting theme Part of the fun of a divorce party is choosing a theme that will help your friends and family focus on the positive time ..read more

Texas law encourages divorcing parents to share child custody, which is officially called “joint managing conservatorship.” Exes who are both fit and able to parent generally negotiate an arrangement that is in the kids’ best interest and fits the parents’ schedules and needs as much as possible. This often means one of several common schedules, such as one parent having custody during the week and the other parent getting Friday through Sunday. Other parents share child custody 50-50 by alternating every week or two. But as long as the plan is in the child’s best interest and the parents agre ..read more