Being the parent of a special needs child can be daunting and lonely. It may often feel like nobody quite understands exactly what struggles you’re going through — nor do they understand your fears for your child’s future. After all, children with special needs eventually become adults with special needs.

In Texas, it’s important to understand that child support does not necessarily end once a special-needs child turns 18 years of age. In fact, the obligation your ex-spouse has to pay child support may continue for as long as your child is alive.

When deciding whether or not child support should continue past a dependent’s 18th birthday, the court may consider whatever evidence it thinks is relevant. You may be able to show that your child needs things like:

The best time to talk about a prenuptial agreement is, quite frankly, when you have no intention of needing one. It can be difficult, however, to see the point of a prenup when you’re young, broke and running mostly on dreams.

It’s those dreams you need to protect.

While prenups used to be exclusively the domain of the ultra-wealthy seeking to protect their trust funds and family money and older people on their second marriages, that’s changed. Prenups today are the most important things that entrepreneurs (especially those in high-yield fields, like the tech industry) can have if they should end up unhappily wed.

Are you nervously anticipating your first mediation session over your child custody issues? You aren’t alone. Most parents who are going through a divorce feel the same anxiety when they’re trying to settle such an important issue.

Well, take heart: You’re already on the right path to a peaceful compromise with your soon-to-be ex-spouse over the kids because you’ve chosen to try mediation. While mediation isn’t always successful, the willingness to negotiate is always a positive sign.

In order to make the best use of mediation over a custody issue, here’s what you should remember:

However it happened, you’ve come to suspect that the child you’re financially supporting through court-ordered payments isn’t biologically related to you. Is it possible to end your support payments — or are you simply stuck?

Texas does sometimes allow a man to petition the court to terminate the parent-child relationship if their biological tie is questionable. It’s important to understand, however, that mistaken paternity claims are not always simple cases — even if you turn out not to be the child’s biological father.

What are some of the rules regarding termination of paternity?

Texas is what is known as a “community property state.” In short, that means that most assets that you acquire following your marriage belong equally to you and your spouse. Assets you acquired prior to the marriage is usually considered separate property and not subject to division in divorce.

Of course, there are always exceptions and that rule may not be as simple as it seems. For example, consider this situation:

You own a home before you even met your spouse. You marry but never put your spouse’s name on the property. Over the years, you naturally upgrade some items, do some repairs, enhance the property a little in small ways. It’s value grows over time.