Posted on September 08, 2017 in Divorce

Getting a divorce when you or your spouse serves in the armed forces can be complex. However, you can simplify the process by learning the laws surrounding a military divorce. This equips you to enter into the divorce prepared to face and overcome any obstacles that might otherwise block your path.

One of the best pieces of advice for service members and their spouses who are considering divorce is to acquire good legal representation. Doing so will remove many of the hardships typically associated with getting a divorce in the armed forces. With that said, the section below contains several additional key points of a military divorce in the state of Texas.

Jurisdiction: A common misconception shared by service members is the belief that they can divorce anywhere in the nation. Instead, a divorce must often take place in the state where the service member has legal residency. There are exceptions to this rule as described below.

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 Posted on September 02, 2017 in Blog

Sometimes you do not get as much visitation or custody as you want. In certain cases, you get supervised visitation. You know these visits can be difficult regardless of how excited you are to connect with your child. With a third party observing everything, you might feel awkward or inhibited. These visitations may also take place in unnatural settings.

However, you do not need to dread each visit. You can do some simple things to make these interactions easier and more fun for everyone involved.

1. Get creative

You do not need to just sit around and have a dull conversation with your child. Why not bring a board game to play next time? You could also bring some crafts to make. There is nothing better than food, so you could also make a fun snack with your child. These activities are simple but can provide plenty of laughter and enjoyment for you and your child.

2. Follow the schedule

If you only have supervised visitation, you need to make every second count. Adhere to your visitation schedule as best as you can. Do not cancel your visits unless there is an emergency, and try your best to be punctual every time. Show up on time or even a few minutes early to show you care.

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 Posted on August 31, 2017 in Family Law

For those who think that family law courts do not punish those who refuse to pay child support, a recent Texas case may give you hope. Earlier this month, a judge with the 347th District Court ordered that a Texas father be taken into custody because he has not paid child support.

A separate news source indicates that the man owes approximately $130,000. This amount includes $87,000 in back child support payments, $45,000 from an earlier ruling and additional funds to cover medical expenses. Even though the man agreed to pay the owed support, the judge still ordered that he be taken into custody.

In addition to ordering the father’s arrest, the judge spoke to him at length about his parental responsibilities. Her remarks were harsh and to the point, including statements about how court orders are “not suggestions” and that she would make him “financially responsible” for his son. She also asserted how the man’s child had the right to be supported financially “by the person that brought him into this world.”

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 Posted on August 21, 2017 in Family Law

“Everybody needs to pay child support and take care of their children. That’s the job, no matter who you are,” said the attorney who has been representing A.B. Quintanilla’s ex in a child support case against the musician.

Quintanilla, 53, is the brother of the late Tejano singing phenomenon Selena Quintanilla. He is a former member of her group, Selena y Los Dinos, and a founder of Los Kumbia Kings and Elektro Kumbia. Until last Wednesday, he was also a member of the Nueces County Sheriff’s Office’s Top 10 most wanted for nonpayment of child support and contempt of court, according to KSAT 12 San Antonio.

He is no longer on that Top 10 list. At a hearing on Aug. 16, he agreed to pay $87,000 in child support arrears, $45,000 for a previous order, and medical expenses for his son — for a total of $130,000, according to MySanAntonio.com.

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 Posted on August 16, 2017 in Child Custody

During the course of a family breakdown, it is likely that there will be disagreements. However, while there may be hard feelings and an occasional heated discussion, the majority of child custody disputes will not escalate into threats or intimidation. Whenever San Antonio families find that they are unable to resolve an issue, they may wish to seek the input of a neutral third party.

Recently, one father resorted to contacting the police in regards to an alleged threat he received from another man. According to his account, he arrived at the home of his child’s mother in order to return their child to her care. Though the details of what transpired are not clear, another male in the home at the time purportedly threatened the father. The father claimed that the other male displayed a handgun and proceeded to point it at him.

The victim claimed that the intimidation tactic was related to an ongoing custody issue he had with the child’s mother. After the man displayed the weapon, the father quickly exited the residence and then notified the police after leaving the area. Officials responded to the address, but the man was no longer at the home. Authorities have yet to locate the man and have warned the public that he should be considered a threat.

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 Posted on August 11, 2017 in Child Custody

If you are a newly divorced Texas resident with school-aged children, the upcoming school year might prove challenging, especially if you and your children are already feeling anxious about school. Remember, it is a new situation for everyone and adjusting to all the changes is not always an easy endeavor. Even with a well-planned child custody arrangement, it might take parents and their children time to adjust.

Fortunately, there are ways you can lessen the stress and anxiety for all with a little preparation. As long as you and your co-parent are willing to tackle the challenges cooperatively, it is possible to make the necessary transitions go a little smoother. Use the tips provided below to help your family survive and thrive in the new school year.

• Speak with teachers: Inform your child’s teachers about the family situation so that they can provide appropriate support for your child.
• Know your child’s schedule: You and your co-parent should be familiar with your child’s school schedule in order to avoid conflicts and keep things running smoothly.

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 Posted on August 09, 2017 in Divorce

There is no question that divorce can be tough. You are bringing an end to a major chapter in your life, and that can be emotional. The divorce process itself can be stressful, especially if you and your spouse are fighting over the outcome. The whole ordeal can take a toll.

So what better time to treat yourself to a vacation than when your divorce is finalized?

Celebrating The Start Of A New Life

In a Travel Weekly article, travel agents say they have seen an uptick in post-divorce vacations. Sometimes it is dads taking their children to domestic locales to bond. Sometimes it is women gathering up their friends and going on a girls’ getaway to a tropical resort.

These types of vacations are becoming so popular that some resorts even offer special packages for post-divorce travelers, such as one that offers a ceremony to smash the memories by smashing a pinata covered with photos of the ex-husband or ex-wife.

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 Posted on August 02, 2017 in Family Law

Imagine receiving an order from a family law court telling you that you must pay child support for a kid that someone else fathered. If you had helped to raise and nurture this child, it might not come as a shock. However, if you had only met this child one time and had no personal ties at all, you might feel betrayed, angry and confused.

A Texas man is experiencing his own set of bewildering emotions after a family law court ordered him to pay $65,000 in back child support for a child who is not his. Reportedly, the man, who has three children and two nephews currently under his care, was not aware of the child’s existence until he received court papers in 2016. The mother of the child in question repeatedly insisted that this man fathered her child, but a DNA test proved otherwise.

Unfortunately, the DNA test did not end the father’s ordeal. In Texas, the family code mandates that purported fathers still owe any child support that accrued before the results of a paternity test.

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 Posted on July 28, 2017 in Family Law

Each state has its own set of laws concerning child custody. In most cases, these laws are similar across the nation, which can be a comfort to divorcing parents. Despite the similarities, it is important for you to learn how the process works in whichever state you live in. This blog post contains a few important facts about child custody in the state of Texas.

Terminology: In this state, you may hear child custody and related issues referred to in unfamiliar terms. For example, you are probably accustomed to the phrase child custody, but in Texas the legal term for this is conservatorship. You should ask your family law attorney for an explanation of any unfamiliar terminology you hear or read.

Types of Conservatorship: Some states offer a confusing range of child custody options. In Texas, there are only two options, but they can be designed to meet the needs of the family just as effectively as the options available in other states. They are JMC (joint managing conservatorship), which is basically the same as joint custody, and SMC (sole managing conservatorship), which is another way of saying sole custody.

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 Posted on July 21, 2017 in Divorce

It is a given that if you are getting a divorce, then you want a good and effective attorney on your side. Unfortunately, it is all too easy to find negative articles across the internet focusing on the worst practices of a divorce attorney. This is unfortunate for those getting divorced as it can discourage them from making the right decisions during this difficult time. It is just as unfortunate for effective divorce lawyers who may suffer from these articles as well.

If you are wondering what makes one divorce lawyer better than another, we suggest that you research your options before you choose an attorney. Remember that just as in your other relationships you will want an attorney with whom you are compatible. This means paying attention to your comfort and communication levels during your initial consultations.

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