Posted on March 22, 2020 in Blog

Second Emergency Order Regarding the COVID-19 State of Disaster

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 Posted on March 20, 2020 in Child Custody

The COVID-19 virus has developed into a national emergency unlike anything the nation has experienced in generations, and it’s upending the normal way of life for almost everyone.

It’s also causing some unexpected problems for divorced parents — specifically, those whose children were away with their other parent during spring break. Now that spring break has been extended beyond the usual week-long duration and could go on indefinitely, some parents are unsure about what’s supposed to happen next. The parent with primary physical custody usually wants the child returned at the expected time — regardless of the extenuating circumstances related to the virus.

Not all of the parents who have custody of their children for spring break are willing to be compliant. Some may try to rely on the technicality that “spring break was extended” to extend their parenting time — either out of genuine desire to have more time with their kids or out of a desire to simply frustrate and upset the other parent.

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 Posted on March 13, 2020 in Family Law

You and your spouse are happy together and your marriage seems solid. So, why should you consider a prenuptial agreement essential just because you’ve decided to follow your entrepreneurial dreams or your spouse is starting their own business?

It all comes down to security — both the financial and emotional kind. When a married individual starts their own business, there are dangers to both spouses.

For example, imagine that your spouse has always wanted to follow their dreams and run a bar. A local watering hole comes up for sale, and your spouse wants to take the plunge. However, that means taking out a massive loan and other debts in order to buy out the current owners and do some renovations.

If your marriage does become strained down the line, you could end up saddled with a lot of debt. A postnup can assign those debts to your spouse and help you remain secure that you won’t be facing a mountain of bills after a divorce.

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 Posted on March 11, 2020 in Firm News

Many divorcing couples over the age of 50 face a financial future cobbled together from a retirement nest egg split in half.

However, those who sign a postnuptial agreement will likely enter the next chapter of their lives with less stress and more security.

The postnuptial agreement explained

The postnuptial agreement is similar in content to the prenuptial agreement, except that the couple signs it after the marriage takes place rather than before. Often, the reason for creating a postnup is that a sudden change in finances occurs for one spouse. For example, the wife may become a best-selling author, or the husband may put a new product on the market that becomes a must for every dog owner. Because income for the suddenly solvent spouse is likely to soar, creating a postnuptial agreement now may be prudent to limit greater financial exposure in the event of a future divorce.

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 Posted on March 06, 2020 in Child Custody

There’s a thin line between love and hate — and that’s never more obvious than when someone channels all of their anger, grief and disappointment at a failed marriage into demonizing the spouse they supposedly once loved. When they involve the children in that process, ultimately playing games with their affection and turning their ex-spouse into the enemy of all, that’s parental alienation.

Parental alienation doesn’t just hurt the victimized parent. It also damages the psyche of the children involved in permanent ways. It usually destroys or deeply damages their relationship with one of their parents for good and does not make for a loving, supportive childhood — which naturally affects their adult lives.

But parental alienation doesn’t occur in “normal” divorces. Psychologists say that it most often occurs when one spouse is either narcissistic or has borderline personality disorder. The narcissist tends to only focus on their needs and their desires and their perceptions of events. They cannot see things from other people’s points of view, so they expect everyone (even their children) to adopt their views. Since they see their ex-spouse as “evil” or “bad,” the children must, of course, see that parent the same way.

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 Posted on February 28, 2020 in Divorce

There are many reasons to seek a divorce, but if you have the misfortune to be married to a narcissist, you may expect the process to be even more problematic than it otherwise would be.

The reason for this is that most divorcing couples try very hard to avoid the contention and acrimony of a protracted court battle. But for the narcissist, this doesn’t matter nearly as much as winning — at all costs. Read on for some things to know when divorcing a narcissistic spouse.

They love to play games

Narcissists maintain power in their relationships by keeping their spouses off-balance. They will use their charm and wits to attempt to game the system. Filing frivolous motions, seeking delays and leveling false accusations all prolong the divorce and burn up your money.

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 Posted on February 20, 2020 in Divorce

People get divorced for all kinds of reasons — but at least one of those reasons has to serve as “grounds” for the divorce. In Texas, the grounds on which your divorce is based can have a significant effect on your actual divorce process, so it’s smart to understand your options.

No-fault divorce

Like most other states, Texas allows for a “no-fault” divorces. If you and your spouse have been living apart for at least three years, you can use this option. Even if you haven’t, you can still file a no-fault divorce on the basis that your “marriage is insupportable due to discord.” It isn’t necessary to spell out the specific problems that you and your spouse have with each other, which makes this one of the most compassionate and practical ways to end a marriage.

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 Posted on February 13, 2020 in Firm News

Facing life after divorce is often an intimidating prospect. For some, it can be downright frightening–but you can overcome your doubts and fears.

Here are three tips for making practical strides forward and managing life after divorce:

1. Find the inner you

The fact that you are no longer part of a couple, that you are now a single person, may seem like a daunting reality, but this is the perfect time to redefine yourself. What have you been missing? Explore new interests and new hobbies. Staying busy will help you right the ship and get on with your life. You have more time for yourself now, and that can be a revelation.

2. Build a support network

You do not have to navigate choppy post-divorce waters alone. Allow a good friend to help by accompanying you to lunch or a movie. Join a fitness club or a reading group. Volunteer at a hospital or museum. You may want to join a support group to meet others who are working their way through the aftermath of divorce. Expand your support network, and draw strength from others.

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 Posted on February 11, 2020 in Family Law

Your relationship didn’t last, but you and your ex-partner do have a child together. Does it really matter if you establish the child’s legal paternity?

It does. The consequences of not taking this step can affect your child even beyond your lifetime. Here’s what you should know.

How is paternity established?

When a child’s parents are unmarried, the two most common ways to establish paternity are through an Acknowledgement of Paternity (AOP) or a DNA test. Whether court-ordered or done voluntarily, many would-be fathers prefer to have a DNA test taken just to resolve any potential issues about a child’s biological heritage.

Why is legal paternity important?

Establishing a child’s paternity has both legal and emotional benefits. The main ones include:

• A sense of identity and belonging: It can make it easier for a child born to unwed parents to be accepted by extended family, especially on the father’s side.

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 Posted on February 06, 2020 in Divorce

Texas divorce courts are a little busy right now. That’s not particularly surprising, given that much of the nation experiences a surge in the number of newly filed divorce petitions around this time of year.

Why does it happen so regularly (and predictably) every year? Most attorneys say that it comes down to several different reasons, depending on the couple:

• Some couples have already agreed to divorce before the new year starts. However, they don’t want to break the news to their children, family or friends until the holidays are over because they know the situation will detract from the holiday celebrations.
• Some people quietly come to the realization that they’re unhappy and use the new year as a starting point for their “new selves.” Much like a commitment to get healthier, eat better or exercise more, deciding to finally leave an unhappy marriage is part of their New Year’s resolutions.

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