Dealing with divorce issues involving your kids can make you feel like you need to learn a whole new language – legalese.   Unfortunately, misunderstanding legal jargon can have potentially severe consequences for you and your children. You may end up failing to get the custody arrangement you hoped for. To empower yourself, here's a breakdown of critical child custody terms Texas courts use. Understanding conservatorship of the child As you know, many states still use the term child custody, but Texas employs different terminology. Courts here use conservatorship, but it does not ad ..read more

Receiving threats from your co-parent (or anyone) involving the termination of parental rights is one of the most stressful things a parent can face. Sometimes, threats are just scare tactics, but it is critical to understand how the law in these matters works.  Here is what you need to know if your co-parent continues threatening your parental (and fathers') rights or tries to take them away. They need a demonstrable reason Legally ending a parent-child relationship is a grave step that family courts do not take without justification. Your co-parent would need grounds to persuade a judge ..read more

Money and divorce often go hand-in-hand. In fact, according to one study, financial problems are second only to infidelity when looking at reasons for a divorce. In other words, if your spouse isn’t having an affair, then the reason that you get divorced is probably because of financial stress. What people often assume is that this means the couple is having conflicts about how to spend limited resources. Maybe one person thinks they should save for retirement while the other wants to spend their money much sooner. Or maybe one person lost their job, so the couple is no longer able to pay thei ..read more

You got married 10 years ago. Five years after that, your parents passed away and they left you an inheritance. It’s a substantial amount of money, and your plan is to use it for your retirement. Since you were already married, your spouse also had the same plan. But now your spouse has filed for a divorce. They want to split up the inheritance, claiming that it is a marital asset since you received it after you got married. They believe they deserve half of that inheritance for themselves, and they still want to use it to retire. But do you actually have to split it with them, or is it still ..read more

During divorce, the courts aim to achieve a fair resolution for all parties involved. In cases where children are involved, their well-being is prioritized above all else. Supervised visitation is a type of arrangement ordered by the court during divorce or separation proceedings, where a neutral third party supervises visits between a parent and their child. There are several reasons why you may want to pursue a supervised visitation arrangement. There is an unmanaged mental illness of the parent If the other parent has an unmanaged mental illness that could potentially endanger the child's s ..read more

Prenuptial agreements, often referred to as prenups, are legal documents that couples sign before getting married. These agreements outline the division of assets and debts in the event of a divorce. While the topic of prenups can sometimes be sensitive, they can actually bring significant benefits to a relationship. Clarity and protection One of the main benefits of a prenuptial agreement is the clarity it brings to a couple's financial situation. By clearly outlining how assets and debts will become divided in case of a divorce, a prenup can help both parties understand each other's financia ..read more

The potential benefits of a child bonding with their father are numerous. It can enhance their emotional well-being, provide them with a strong sense of security and facilitate their social and cognitive development. However, unmarried fathers may have to establish paternity before they can fully access these benefits and legally claim their rights and responsibilities as parents. If you are an unmarried father, it is important to understand the reasons why you should establish paternity. In Texas, you may ultimately choose to seek to establish paternity for the following reasons. The child is ..read more

As a parent, you may be focused more on child custody matters than anything else when divorcing. Child custody is divided into two parts: legal and physical custody. Legal custody is a parent’s right to decide how their child is raised. This can include where a child goes to school or if they will undergo medical procedures for an illness. Physical custody is a parent’s obligation to maintain a child’s daily routine and provide basic necessities, such as food, shelter and clothing. Typically, parents can discuss their parenting options, but a court may also make a choice for parents. Here are ..read more

Mediation is a process in which a neutral third party helps divorcing couples reach agreements on various aspects of their divorce. For example, child custody, property division and financial support. If you are considering ending your marriage, look into all options on the table. Depending on your circumstances, this could include mediation. The advantages Mediation offers several benefits, including cost-effectiveness and confidentiality. This strategy provides a collaborative approach to resolving disputes. During mediation, couples work together to find mutually acceptable solutions. In so ..read more

Making the decision to end a marriage is never easy. Before you decide to file for divorce, there are some steps you may wish to take. Preparing for the process can help you to sidestep common problems that people often encounter once they file. Gather financial documents You should gather all relevant financial documents, such as bank statements, tax returns and retirement account statements. These documents will be invaluable as you embark on determining the division of assets and debts during the divorce. They will also allow you to ensure you have the complete financial picture, which can ..read more