Texas Divorce Process Timeline
The divorce process can seem overwhelming at first. There are so many steps to follow, and the amount of paperwork seems endless! Fortunately, hiring a lawyer can help as well as familiarizing yourself with the steps you need to take to get the process rolling. Today, we share a divorce timeline to help you get ready and know what to expect.
Divorce & Taxes: What You Need To Know
If you are one of the individuals who went through a divorce last year, you are probably wondering how you will file taxes this year. Chances are, you may even be filing your own tax return this year, which is something you have never done before. Today, we answer some commonly asked questions regarding taxes and divorce.
How To Start Dating Again After A Divorce
Dating after a divorce can feel like a journey into unchartered territory. You may have been out of the dating game for decades only to find yourself single, ready to mingle, and confused as to how it all works. And are you fully ready to move on and start dating in the first place? Today, we go over when and how to start dating again post-divorce.
Introducing Your Kids To Their New Home Post-Divorce
A sudden change in any child's life can feel devastating to them. Kids get attached to places and objects, especially their bedroom and home. When parents decide to get divorced, either one parent or the entire family unit must move to accommodate to their new situation. While this is just a part of the divorce process, kids can take this move hard. Today, we discuss ways to help your children feel comfortable in their second home post-divorce.
What Are The Differences Between A Trust & A Will?
Both trusts and wills are estate planning tools put into place to ensure your assets are protected and then inherited by your appointed heirs in the event of your death. Texans utilize trusts and wills to protect their loved ones for the future and make sure their final wishes are upheld. Today, we review the key differences between a trust and a will and the importance of estate planning.
The Importance Of Establishing A Power Of Attorneys
A power of attorney (POA) allows an individual to appoint another person to act on their behalf to administer their affairs in the event this individual becomes incapacitated. A power of attorney works when an individual is no longer mentally capable of taking care of their personal, legal, and financial affairs.
What Not To Post On Social Media During A Divorce
While it may seem like a posting about your divorce on social media will provide you with a cathartic release, it is best to avoid doing so. In fact, most family law attorneys recommend staying off social media entirely.Remember that anything and everything you say online can be used against you in divorce court. That said if you do decide to remain on social media during this time, here are some things you should avoid doing.
What Happens If My Spouse Refuses To Sign The Divorce Papers?
Divorces can be unpredictable with even the most amicable of divorces turning contentious at times. And if one spouse refuses to sign the divorce papers, or tries some other method to postpone your divorce, the process can turn downright frustrating. So, what do you do then if your spouse refuses to sign the divorce papers? What are your options? Today, we go over what steps you can take in the event your spouse refuses to sign the divorce decree.
Your Guide To Child Support In Texas
There are many factors, including what the state of Texas calls guidelines, that impact child support determinations. To learn more about the specifics surrounding Texas child support laws and guidelines, we have created a child support guideline for you to reference.
How To Get A Temporary Restraining Order
A Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) protects you in the event you feel unsafe due to some form of abuse. A TRO is an emergency court order that orders an individual to not take certain actions until a hearing can take place. It lasts around 14 days or until the temporary order hearing, whichever comes first.
What’s Mine Is Mine—What’s Yours Is Ours
Read our blog featured on the Austin Bar Association here.
What Happens To The Family Business In A Divorce?
If you and your spouse created a business together and are looking to dissolve your marriage, you may be wondering what will happen to the business. Texas courts view family businesses as assets, which are subject to division during a divorce. As Texas is a community property state, any business that was acquired or created during the marriage will need to be divided in the event of a divorce. Today, we discuss how a family business could be divided during the divorce process and what you need to know about how business assets are handled in a Texas divorce.
FAQs Regarding Same-Sex Couples & Divorce
In 2015, the United States Supreme Court made same-sex marriages legal in all 50 states. Prior to this ruling, same-sex marriage was not recognized in the state of Texas – and neither was same-sex divorce. While the same marital laws that apply to married heterosexual couples are now available to married same-sex couples, that does not mean getting a same-sex divorce in Texas is a walk in the park.
How To Get An Annulment In Texas
An annulment declares a marriage invalid. As such, this marriage will be found to have never legally existed. There are several grounds in Texas under which an individual can file for an annulment, including the concealment of a divorce. When you annul a marriage, your marriage is declared void meaning it is like you never had a marriage at all. Legally, you can say you were never married to your ex-spouse. So, how do you go about navigating the process of an annulment and what do you need to do to prove an annulment?
How to Determine If You Are Eligible For Spousal Support In Texas
Spousal support consists of payments one spouse makes to the other temporarily to support him/her after their divorce. Spousal support can help the receiving spouse pay for education or training so he/she can return to work, become financially self-sufficient and eventually be able to contribute to their child’s needs. Either spouse can request spousal support, or spousal maintenance as it is called in Texas, at any point during the divorce process.
Property Division: How Does The Court Determine What Is Fair?
When it comes to the division of marital property, or property acquired during marriage, Texas divides property in a manner that is considered just and right during a divorce. In other words, the courts in the state try to be as fair as possible when making property division determinations. As this is not always easy, the court must use their discretion to divide a marital estate, relying on several factors to help with their decision-making process.
What Are The Fault-Based Grounds For Divorce In Texas?
You can file for a fault-based or no-fault divorce in Texas. If you ask the court for a no-fault divorce, you do not have to include a reason as to why you are requesting a divorce. However, you can also point a finger at your spouse’s misconduct and use that as your reason for filing for divorce as well. The decision is entirely up to you, but you may want to familiarize yourself with the fault-based grounds for filing for divorce in Texas below first.
Can You Modify A Holiday Parenting Plan?
One of the important components of a divorce is generating a holiday parenting plan. Such a plan provides structure during the holiday season, making it easier on parents – especially ones new to co-parenting. However, what happens when circumstances change, and you want to modify a holiday parenting plan? How do you make a modification?
The Benefits Of Estate Planning
The main advantage of having a valid estate plan in place is to make sure your last wishes are executed upon your death. Without one, your estate is not protected from Texas’s intestate succession laws and the state will determine who will inherit your property and other assets. Not only does a valid estate plan ensure your loved ones will receive their proper inheritance, but it can also help your beneficiaries avoid certain taxes and other legal requirements when it comes to the distribution of property.
How Child Custody Is Determined In Texas
To understand how child custody is determined in Texas, it is important to bring up the different types of child custody first. Child custody consists of two types: physical custody and legal custody. Texas often refers to physical custody as possession and access and legal custody, or anything associated with legal custody rights, as conservatorship. There are two types of conservatorships: sole custody and joint custody.