Child custody disputes can be extremely emotional for everyone involved. It’s not uncommon for a child, especially a teenager, to express a desire to live with one parent over the other. In Texas, a child is not allowed to unilaterally make that decision. However, there is a mechanism in place in which they can make their wishes known to the judge. In this article, we will discuss how a child’s custody preference factors into custody proceedings and answer some frequently asked questions about this...

In Texas, there is something called the “Children’s Bill of Rights.” Unless you have been through a divorce or custody dispute, you probably haven’t even heard of this before. The Children’s Bill of Rights is basically a list of rules that parents and other adults are supposed to follow in an effort to protect children who are living under two roofs. It’s designed to keep children front and center during a difficult process. Here’s what you need to know about the Children’s Bill of Rights in...

For many people, divorce is a long, drawn-out battle that requires numerous court appearances and culminates in an emotionally draining trial. But it doesn’t have to be. In Texas, it’s possible to get a divorce without going to court – or by just appearing one time for a final “prove-up” hearing. To achieve this outcome, the divorce has to be uncontested, amicable, and both parties should be represented by attorneys. In this article, the attorneys at Varghese Summersett...

Cheating is a leading cause of divorce in Texas, but can adultery affect divorce proceedings? The short answer is, it depends. In Texas, there are two types of divorce: fault and no-fault. What type of divorce you pursue determines whether or not infidelity plays a role in the outcome or settlement of your divorce. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about adultery and divorce in Texas, but first please watch this video from family law attorney Turner Thornton. What is a no-fault...

Divorce can be emotional, exhausting and expensive. When clients come to us seeking dissolution of marriage, one of the first things they often ask is, “Who pays divorce attorneys fees?” Actually, to be more specific, they usually want to know if they have to pay for their spouse’s divorce attorney – or if there is any way that they can make their spouse pay their lawyer fees. As is with the case in most family law matters, the answer is, it depends. The decision about who pays divorce attorney...

What if you file for divorce and then change your mind? Can you dismiss a divorce case in Texas?  Absolutely, as long as both spouses agree and the divorce hasn’t been finalized. From time to time, couples have a change of heart during divorce proceedings. In this article, we’re going to discuss how to undo a divorce case in Texas. How can you dismiss a divorce case in Texas? If you are the one who filed for divorce and your spouse has not yet filed a response, or counter petition, then you alone...

In Texas, more than 170 victims of family violence seek help every day. If you or your child is among them, you may be contemplating how to get out of the abusive relationship once and for all. Divorcing an abusive spouse can be nerve-wracking and dangerous. Fortunately, there are laws in place to protect victims and speed up the process. It’s also not uncommon for family law judges to strip abusers of various rights pertaining to child custody, child visitation, and asset division. In this article,...