Posted on April 07, 2021 in Divorce

Take a second to think about the moment in which you and your spouse first got engaged. It was likely a time full of joy, and perhaps one of the happiest moments of your life. At this time, you probably envisioned your relationship in the future to be a story of “happily ever after,” and it’s possible that you could never have even entertained the possibility of ever falling out of love with them.

This is a treasured memory that many married couples have, but it’s often the case that this love and elation fades over time. While some couples manage to successfully transition from the honeymoon period to happy married life in the long term, others do face hurdles. If you are at a point in your marriage in which you are struggling to understand how the two of you fell in love in the first place, you may be committed to trying to make the marriage work even though you are not sure how. The following is an overview of some tips for improving an unhappy marriage.

Make an effort to spend quality time together

One of the biggest reasons why couples have problems in their marriage is because they simply don’t have time to invest in each other. If work, the children, and other commitments come before your relationship with your spouse, it’s likely that you will encounter problems at some point or another. Try tospend one hour of quality timetogether each week at least.

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 Posted on March 16, 2021 in Divorce

Divorce is a common experience, but that doesn’t mean that the average person really understands what a Texas divorce involves. In fact, divorce’s commonness has led to a proliferation of urban legends and myths surrounding the divorce process.

Some of what you hear may be accurate in another state. Other times, it may have been true years ago but has changed due to changes in the law. Some claims simply have no basis in reality whatsoever. When you understand the truth of the five myths listed below, you may feel less nervous about moving forward with a divorce.

Myth #1: You have to blame everything on your spouse

While fault-based divorces do exist, Texas does not require them. You can simply divorce because of insupportability and never level accusations against your ex, even if you have a reason like adultery to file for divorce.

Myth #2: If you leave the house, you lose the house

It is surprising how frequently people will tell others not to move out of the marital home because that means they abandon the house and won’t get it in the divorce. Even if you don’t regain possession or the right to live in the house, you will still receive your fair share of its value in the divorce proceedings.

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 Posted on March 11, 2021 in Child Custody

When you get a child support ruling during your divorce, it dictates how much you have to pay or what you should receive, depending on which side of the equation you’re on. This is usually set until the child becomes an adult and is no longer being cared for by the parents. But can you have the total modified or changed prior to that point? Or do you have to use the exact court ruling the entire time — potentially, for the next 18 years?

Child support can be modified if there is a solid reason to do so

While it is important to follow the child support guidelines that are given, that does not mean change isn’t possible. The amount of support being paid can be modified. The court just needs to see a valid reason to make that alteration.

One example is when there is a significant change to the income of the parent paying support. For instance, maybe the initial ruling was made when you had a salary of $200,000 per year. If you lose your job entirely, it’s not likely that you can make the same support payments for long. You can ask for a modification based on your lack of income or a reduction in income if you take a new job that pays less.

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 Posted on March 02, 2021 in Divorce

Being the parent with primary custody means that you have responsibility for all of your children’s basic needs. The child support you receive helps you keep a roof over the children’s heads. It helps pay for the groceries and cover the costs of your utilities so that everyone is safe and comfortable at your home.

Realistically, child support probably doesn’t cover the full cost of those basic needs, let alone the additional expenses that come with having kids like replacement backpacks after someone throws up in one or unexpected orthodontia.

The child support that you do receive will likely play a crucial role in your ability to balance your budget every month as the custodial parent. It can be difficult to be financially dependent on someone else. If your ex loses or quits their job, can they just stop paying child support to you?

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 Posted on January 13, 2021 in Divorce

Personality disorders are deeply rooted patterns of behavior that somehow diverged from how the average person behaves. Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a relatively common condition.

Those with NPD may use others to get what they want. They also probably have a massively inflated sense of self-importance. They generally feel like they can do no wrong and that the world owes them something.

Narcissists are often very manipulative and good at controlling what they show to others. It may have taken many years of marriage before you started to see the signs of your spouse’s NPD. Whether they have a formal diagnosis or a vicarious diagnosis through your therapist or similar professional, their condition will impact what your divorce will be like for you.

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 Posted on November 10, 2020 in Child Custody

As you move through the divorce process, a large portion of your attention will turn toward child custody, visitation schedules, parenting agreements and related subject matter.

While your child custody arrangement may have worked at first, there’s no guarantee this will hold true until your children reach the age of 18.

Here are five situations that can lead to changes to your current child custody arrangement:

• Physical relocation: For example, if the custodial parent is moving out of state, the non-custodial parent may be able to request a child custody modification.
• Refusal to follow the terms and conditions of the arrangement: Both parents should have a clear idea of the details associated with the child custody arrangement. Refusal to follow these terms can result in a modification.

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 Posted on September 15, 2020 in Family Law

Divorce is typically about you and the relationship that you have with your spouse. You have hit a rough patch, have grown apart or have experienced some relationship-shattering trauma like infidelity.

It’s easy to get sucked into your personal narrative during a divorce and keep the focus entirely on you and your ex. Unfortunately, your kids will also struggle during a divorce, even though they aren’t the ones going through the end of a marriage. For children, parental divorce is very difficult.

If you can take steps to put your children first, you can reduce how hard it is for them to adjust to your new family situations. There are five practical ways for you to make your children your top priority in the divorce.

Make custody exchanges safe and amicable

Limiting how much you interact with your ex during the divorce can make things easier for everyone. Sharing custody isn’t easy, especially at first. In some cases, while tensions are high, you may want to have a neighbor, friend or family member manage the custody exchange for you.

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 Posted on August 17, 2020 in Firm News

Issues regarding money send up red flags in a marriage, and the financial problems couples struggle with can easily snowball over the years. Many married couples fail to compromise, especially when it comes to making financial decisions.

Here are five money-related conflicts that frequently result in divorce.

1. Different priorities

Major goals such as purchasing a home or enjoying a trip abroad take planning. Planning includes saving to meet the intended goal. One spouse may pinch pennies and the other may spend excessively, which can lead to marital problems.

2. Credit card debt

Piling up credit card debt is one of the biggest issues leading to arguments about marital finances. When one spouse uses the card and the other struggles to make the payment, heated disputesare almost inevitable.

3. Overextension of budget

Marriage usually means combining incomes, which may give couples the feeling they have more money to spend. As a result, they go overboard on the budget. For example, the couple may buy a home that is more than they can comfortably afford. They find they have little money left over for the enjoyment of everyday activities, and the financial stress puts a strain on their marriage.

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 Posted on August 14, 2020 in Child Custody

You love your child — and you hate to see them emotionally overwrought because of anything. That’s why it’s absolutely gut-wrenching when you have to peel their fingers off your shirt and pass them over, sobbing hysterically, to your ex-spouse for visitation.

What can you do? You know your ex-spouse isn’t a bad parent, but your child simply reacts badly to the changes that come along with the visitation schedule because of their age or stage of development right now. Here are some tips that may help your child cope:

1. Control your own anxiety

There’s a possibility that you’re actually sending your child nonverbal cues that signal your own anxiety. Maybe you just hate the thought of your child not being with you 100% of the time, or maybe you get worried that your ex-spouse won’t parent as effectively as you do. Either way, your child can pick up on your fears. That can amplify their own.

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 Posted on August 06, 2020 in Divorce

Stress can do a pretty big number on your immune system — and that’s bad news if you’re going through a divorce. Studies have shown that the more stressful a divorce ends up being, the more likely it is that the participants will end up sick.

Simply put, the human adrenal system is designed to cope with short bursts of stress — not the kind of daily grind that comes with a long, difficult divorce. That kind of stress gradually triggers problems with your cortisol levels and makes it harder to stay healthy. How do you cope? Here are some suggestions from the experts:

1. Eliminate as many unknowns as possible. You can cope better with your situation and your future when you know what to expect. Find out everything you can about the divorce process and your rights as early as possible.

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