Though efforts have been made in recent months to eliminate the no-fault option for divorce in Texas, you can still seek to dissolve your marriage without stating specific grounds. However, there can be benefits to assessing fault in a divorce, particularly when it comes to custody, visitation and spousal support. Here are the causes that may legally be stated for the dissolution of a marriage in … [Read more...]
Determining the Best Interests of the Child
July 12, 2017 by
In Texas, when you have filed for a divorce and there are minor children in the home, decisions will have be made regarding managing conservatorship (formerly custody) and access (formerly visitation). Under state law, the standard used to make those decisions is the "best interests of the child," an approach that promotes the mental, physical and emotional needs of the minor. Though the courts … [Read more...]
Texas Child Support Factors
March 12, 2015 by
How Child Support is Calculated in Texas In Texas, the court typically orders child support to be paid to the parent who has been granted primary physical custody, what is now known as managing conservatorship. The court may require periodic payments or lump-sum payments, or both. Texas state law identifies the factors to be considered when determining the need for and amount of child support. … [Read more...]
Flight Diverted Due to Child Custody Issue
February 10, 2015 by
Officials Divert Flight Due to Child Custody Issue In September, a flight from Dulles International Airport to Beijing was diverted back to its point of departure when FBI officials determined that a child kidnapper was apparently on board, with the child. According to reports, a United Airlines flight containing 180 passengers made it to Canadian airspace before FBI officials issued an order … [Read more...]
Child Custody in Texas
January 20, 2015 by
Texas Child Custody Factors—An Overview When your marriage has ended and you have minor children, one of the most difficult decisions involves where your children will live and how much time they will spend with each parent. In Texas, child custody (now referred to as “managing conservatorship”) agreements or orders must consider the best interests of the minor child. The courts typically … [Read more...]
Making Your Divorce Less Difficult for Your Children
December 23, 2014 by
Steps You Can Take to Minimize the Impact of a Divorce on Your Children Divorce is hard on kids, no matter what you do. Their sense of stability and security can be greatly reduced. While you wouldn’t do things to intentionally cause them additional suffering, there are some basic things you can do to make life easier for them during and after the transition. Avoid Potential Conflict Whenever … [Read more...]
Getting Temporary Support before Your Divorce is Final
November 19, 2014 by
Getting Child Support while Your Divorce is Pending Divorce proceedings, like any other type of legal action, can take months or years to make it through the process. If you are a custodial parent, you can’t wait that long for a judge to order your ex to pay child support. Fortunately, in Texas, as in other states, you can petition the court for an order of temporary support while custody, … [Read more...]
Protecting Your Grandchild from Your Addicted Adult Child
July 21, 2014 by
Every day, grandparents throughout this country are dealing with heartbreaking situations involving their drug-addicted adult sons and daughters and the innocent grandchildren who are suffering as a result. How can you protect a grandchild or grandchildren who are in this difficult situation? No matter what you do, there’s going to be significant upheaval and stress around the actions you are … [Read more...]
When Your Daughter Is Arrested and You Want to Protect Your Grandchild
July 8, 2014 by
If your daughter has been arrested, the fallout can be all the more excruciating and impactful if she herself has a child. What happens to the child? How can you protect the child? How can you help the child overcome the trauma of watching a parent being taken away if the child was present at the time of the arrest? If your daughter is a single parent, then her child will likely be taken into … [Read more...]
Negotiating Foster Care as a Grandparent
June 16, 2014 by
A recent study has shown that as many as 7.7 million children in the United States, about one in 10 kids, live in the same household as a grandparent. And in most of these cases, that means living in the home of the grandparent. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand this phenomenon. With single parenting skyrocketing, an increasing number of grandparents are stepping in to help … [Read more...]
