What Is a Guardian Ad Litem in a Texas Child Custody Case?

A guardian ad litem, sometimes called a GAL, is a person the court appoints to look out for your child's best interests. They do not represent you or the other parent. Their only job is to investigate what arrangement would be best for your child and report those findings to the judge.

Under Chapter 107 of the Texas Family Code, a guardian ad litem may investigate the child's circumstances, review records, talk to witnesses, and make recommendations to the court. While a GAL is not the same as your child's attorney, a judge may appoint one person to serve both roles in some cases.]]> Child Custody 2026-05-15 00:00:00 https://www.mwfamilylaw.com/blog/when-can-paternity-be-challenged-in-texas https://www.mwfamilylaw.com/blog/when-can-paternity-be-challenged-in-texas

Paternity questions do not always come with simple answers. Sometimes a man is listed as a child's father on a birth certificate when the child's biological father is someone else entirely. Other times, a man signs documents without fully understanding what they mean or what he is giving up. 

In Texas, the law offers ways to challenge a paternity determination if you act in time, but the rules are specific, and the deadlines are strict. If you have questions about your situation, a San Antonio, TX family law attorney who handles paternity matters can help you understand your options before it is too late.

How Does Texas Law Define a Presumed Father?

Under Texas Family Code Chapter 160, a man is legally presumed to be a child's father in several situations. He is presumed to be the father if he was married to the child's mother at the time of the child's birth. The same is true if the child was born before the 301st day after the marriage ended. If a couple married after the child was born and the husband was named on the birth certificate or agreed to support the child, paternity is also presumed. Finally, if a man lived in the same home as the child from birth through the child's first two years and acted as the father, the law presumes he is the legal father.]]> Family Law 2026-04-22 15:38:51 https://www.mwfamilylaw.com/blog/what-are-temporary-orders-in-a-texas-divorce https://www.mwfamilylaw.com/blog/what-are-temporary-orders-in-a-texas-divorce Filing for divorce sets off a legal process that can take months, sometimes longer, before a final decree is signed. In the meantime, life does not pause. Someone has to pay the mortgage. Someone has to live in the house. Children need a consistent schedule. All of this has to be sorted out before the judge signs a final order, and that is exactly what temporary orders are designed to do.

If you are filing for divorce in 2026 or have just been served, understanding temporary orders is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself and your children early on. A San Antonio, TX divorce attorney can help you fight for terms that work in your favor from day one.

What Do Temporary Orders Cover in a Texas Divorce?

Temporary orders are court instructions that govern how spouses must act toward each other and manage shared responsibilities while the divorce is pending. They are issued early in the case and stay in effect until the judge signs a final divorce decree or the parties reach a settlement.]]> Divorce 2026-04-09 00:00:00 https://www.mwfamilylaw.com/blog/what-happens-with-child-custody-and-support-when-you-were-never-married-in-texas https://www.mwfamilylaw.com/blog/what-happens-with-child-custody-and-support-when-you-were-never-married-in-texas If you and your child’s other parent were never married, you may wonder whether the same rules about custody and child support apply to you. The short answer is yes. Texas law treats these issues the same for all parents, married or not. What is different is how you get legal protections in place.

In 2026, this matters more than ever, since according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 40 percent of births in the United States are to unmarried mothers. Unmarried parents in San Antonio and throughout Bexar County still need formal court orders. A San Antonio, TX family law attorney can help you take the right steps from the start.

Do Texas Custody Laws Apply if You Were Never Married?

Texas Family Code Chapter 153 covers conservatorship, which is just the legal word Texas uses for custody. It applies to all parents, no matter their marital status. In every custody case, courts ask one question: what is best for the child? That does not change based on whether the parents were ever married.]]> Child Custody 2026-03-20 00:00:00 https://www.mwfamilylaw.com/blog/how-is-alimony-calculated-in-san-antonio-tx https://www.mwfamilylaw.com/blog/how-is-alimony-calculated-in-san-antonio-tx If you are going through a divorce, you may be wondering whether you or your spouse will have to pay financial support after the marriage ends. In Texas, this is called spousal maintenance, although it is commonly referred to as alimony.

 The rules around who qualifies and how much can be paid are specific and often strict. A San Antonio family law attorney can walk you through those rules and help you figure out where you stand before your case moves forward.

What Is Spousal Maintenance Under Texas Law?

Texas law does not use the word "alimony." The Texas Family Code Chapter 8 uses the term "spousal maintenance" to mean court-ordered financial support paid from one ex-spouse to another after a divorce. The goal is not to create a lifelong payment commitment but to give a lower-earning spouse temporary help while they work toward financial independence. ]]> Divorce 2026-03-05 00:40:17 https://www.mwfamilylaw.com/blog/how-to-prepare-to-divorce-a-narcissist https://www.mwfamilylaw.com/blog/how-to-prepare-to-divorce-a-narcissist Deciding to end your marriage is never easy. When your spouse shows signs of narcissistic behavior, it can be even harder. Narcissists are notorious for wanting control and manipulating situations to their own advantage. The thought of divorcing one may be exhausting or even frightening. If you’re wondering how you can prepare yourself, a San Antonio divorce attorney can help you move forward with confidence.

Why Does Narcissistic Behavior Make Divorce So Hard?

Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a recognized mental health condition. People with NPD often show a pattern of needing admiration, lacking empathy for others, and believing they are more important than everyone around them. The Mayo Clinic describes narcissism as a mental health condition in which people have an unreasonably high sense of their own importance.]]> Divorce 2026-02-19 00:13:27 https://www.mwfamilylaw.com/blog/will-marriage-counseling-help-you-prevent-a-divorce https://www.mwfamilylaw.com/blog/will-marriage-counseling-help-you-prevent-a-divorce It’s not a good feeling when you start to wonder if your marriage is broken beyond repair. Divorce rates are declining slightly as of 2026, but they remain around 30 percent for first marriages. Work stress, money problems, and daily demands can create distance between you and your spouse. Marriage counseling offers a solution for some of these stresses, but many people wonder if it will actually work.

If you are deciding whether or not your marriage is salvageable, a Bexar County family law attorney can help you understand what your options look like.

Does Marriage Counseling Actually Work?

Research shows marriage counseling can make a real difference. Despite some negative stereotypes, statistics tell a positive story.]]> Divorce 2026-02-09 00:00:00 https://www.mwfamilylaw.com/blog/is-your-spouse-spying-on-you https://www.mwfamilylaw.com/blog/is-your-spouse-spying-on-you Spouses spying on their partners before and during their divorce is fairly common. According to recent research by Norton Labs, nearly one in 10 adults has used an app to monitor a current or former romantic partner's device activity. For some people, this is shocking and surprising. For others, it seems like common sense ("What, you don’t?").

If you are divorcing a spouse you think is spying on you in 2026 – or if you are considering spying on your own spouse – it’s important to know how spying can affect divorce proceedings. Our San Antonio divorce lawyer can help you understand what is legal and how it affects your situation.

Why Do People Spy on Their Spouses During Divorce?

When a marriage is falling apart, many people want proof of any suspicions they have about their spouse. People who suspect an affair want concrete evidence for court (and for their own closure). Some worry their spouse is hiding money or assets. Parents sometimes spy because they fear for their children's safety. If someone has an abusive partner, they may hide recording equipment in the house to document the abuse.]]> Divorce 2026-01-24 22:53:42 https://www.mwfamilylaw.com/blog/adopting-your-stepchild-things-to-consider https://www.mwfamilylaw.com/blog/adopting-your-stepchild-things-to-consider Blending families after marriage can be joyful. It also raises important legal questions. If you are married to someone who has children from a previous relationship that you love, it’s very normal to want to adopt them. This can strengthen your family bonds and give you full legal parental rights and responsibilities.

Texas law recognizes stepparent adoption as a special type of adoption with its own rules and procedures. Understanding how this process works in 2026 can help you decide if it is right for your family. If you are considering adoption, our San Antonio stepparent adoption attorneys can guide you through each step.

What is Stepparent Adoption?

Stepparent adoption is when your spouse's child becomes your child legally, too. After the adoption is complete, you have the same rights and responsibilities as if the child were born to you. The child can inherit from you, and you can make decisions about their education and healthcare. This legal relationship continues even if you and your spouse later divorce.]]> Family Law 2026-01-12 00:00:00 https://www.mwfamilylaw.com/blog/is-my-spouse-really-going-to-get-half-of-everything-in-the-divorce-in-texas https://www.mwfamilylaw.com/blog/is-my-spouse-really-going-to-get-half-of-everything-in-the-divorce-in-texas You've probably heard that Texas is a community property state and assumed that means your spouse automatically gets half of everything if you get divorced. That’s not necessarily the case. While Texas follows community property rules, the law doesn't mandate a perfect 50/50 split in every divorce.

Courts aim for what's "just and right," which means they consider your specific circumstances, not just a calculator. Understanding how judges actually divide assets can save you from panic and help you make smarter decisions from day one. Our San Antonio divorce lawyers can walk you through what to expect based on your unique situation.

What Is Community Property Versus Separate Property in Texas?

Under Texas Family Code § 3.002, community property usually includes assets earned or bought during the marriage. This can include income, retirement savings, homes, and vehicles acquired while married. Separate property is treated differently. It often includes property you owned before marriage or received as a gift or inheritance. Separate property is not divided in a divorce.]]> Divorce 2025-12-23 00:00:00