Category Archives: Divorce
How Can I Protect Myself During a Divorce?
Making the decision to get a divorce or having it suddenly sprung on you by your spouse can be devastating. But even though it is a traumatic time, it is important not to completely succumb to your emotions. Be sure to protect yourself throughout the divorce process so that you are not taken advantage of… Read More »
Mistakes to Avoid During a Houston Divorce
So you’re going through a divorce and not sure what to expect. You’ve heard all sorts of nightmare stories about the difficulties, legal complexities, and outright ugly proceedings in some divorces. Listed below are a few common mistakes to avoid during your divorce: Having unreasonable expectations. Many important issues will be decided in your divorce,… Read More »
Will Joint Physical Custody Work for You?
I work daily with clients to manage, arrange or enforce child custody arrangements in Texas, especially in the southeastern corner of Texas in and near Houston. If you have a family and are divorced, chances are good you will deal with a conservatorship issue somewhere along the line. Along with property issues, disagreement over child… Read More »
Tips for Using Social Media During Divorce
Social media is ubiquitous. Facebook, Twitter, MySpace…where once people chatted in person, now they chat online — a lot. As a Texas divorce and child custody attorney, I witness the pain of clients who discover online, or through text, that a spouse is cheating. I see photographs unwittingly revealed online that sabotage a divorce or… Read More »
Does Texas Recognize Common Law Marriages?
Because many couples today cohabit and have children together without formally marrying, it is good to understand whether Texas recognizes their relationship as a legal marriage. Sixteen states recognize common law marriages. However, some states only provide recognition for marriages that occurred before a certain date. Texas recognizes informal marriages. There is no date that… Read More »
Ambiguity, the Nemesis of a Settlement Agreement
The importance of making clear agreements, not subject to other interpretation cannot be emphasized enough. Any apparent ambiguity can open the door to dispute. And then, sometimes even judges disagree on the intended interpretation. So, while agreements between parties to lawsuits is encouraged, it is necessary to ensure that such agreements are drafted in a… Read More »
The Difference between Binding and Non-Binding Mediated Settlements
Mediation has certain merits and many couples successfully resolve their disputed issues through mediation. When signing a mediation settlement agreement (MSA), couples have two options. An MSA can be either binding or non-binding. This fact bears significant importance and is worth explaining. How a non-binding mediation agreement works Under the Texas Family Code, either spouse… Read More »
Parents’ Rights vs. Grandparents’ Rights
Grandparents can be an integral part of some children’s lives. However, if conflicts arise between parents and grandparents, how do parents’ rights legally stack up against grandparents’ rights? Individual states have their own laws, and for the most part, courts at the state level decide family issues. Even so, some cases have risen to the federal… Read More »
Arbitration for Divorce and Custody Issues
If you are having trouble resolving custody issues, arbitration is another available resolution option. As with mediation, sometimes the courts order couples to arbitration to resolve their differences. How is arbitration different from mediation? Unlike mediation, where the mediator acts as a neutral third party and is not allowed to give opinions, the arbitrator’s job… Read More »
Resolving Custody Conflicts Through Mediation
You can wind up in mediation to work out your disagreements with your spouse about child custody. The court can order you to mediation or you can choose it as an alternative to litigation. In fact, you can resolve divorce and all of its issues through mediation, if appropriate. The mediator’s role The mediator cannot… Read More »
