The Benefits of Mediation Before Filing for Divorce Divorce can be an emotionally draining and financially taxing process. Mediation offers a more amicable and cost-effective alternative to traditional litigation. By engaging in mediation before filing for divorce, couples can often reach a mutually agreeable resolution without going to court. Some benefits of this approach include: Reduced legal fees Confidentiality Flexibility in decision-making Preservation of relationships If you are considering...

Facing a divorce can be overwhelming, but arming yourself with the right knowledge and tools can make all the difference. Our ultimate Texas divorce checklist, which was created by our team of experienced Fort Worth divorce attorneys, will help you stay organized and informed throughout the process. After all, knowledge is power. Your Divorce Action Plan If you are headed for divorce, it’s important to have a game plan. You want to have all of your ducks in a row so the process can go as smoothly...

Understanding Initial Disclosures in Texas Family Law Cases Going through a Texas family court case can be an extremely stressful time – and also a seemingly invasive process. Under Texas law, the parties involved in a divorce or other family law case are required to exchange certain documents or information – which are called “initial disclosures” and are often personal. Initial disclosures in Texas family law cases are part of the discovery process and play a crucial role...

Who Pays for Private School Expenses After Divorce in Texas? Thousands of parents send their children to expensive private schools in North Texas, but what happens when they get a divorce? Who foots the bill for private education? While the Texas Family Code has guidelines in place to help divorced parents navigate the child support process, it doesn’t explicitly mandate coverage for private school tuition. Child support is generally intended to cover basic necessities such as food, clothing,...

Do Gifts Count Toward Child Support Payments in Texas? Many parents wonder if gifts count toward child support payments in Texas. The short answer is no. In Texas, child support payments are based on a formula that considers the non-custodial parent’s income and the number of children they have. Gifts are not considered part of this calculation, as they are not regular, ongoing expenses. Child support is meant to cover the day-to-day expenses of raising a child, such as food, housing, clothing...

What Does it Mean to Voluntarily Terminate Parental Rights? Terminating parental rights is a legal process that permanently severs the legal relationship between a parent and their child. This means the parent no longer has any rights or responsibilities towards the child, including the right to make decisions about their upbringing, education, or medical care. Additionally, the parent will no longer have the right to visitation or custody. From time to time, we have cases where a parent wants to...

Understanding the Holley Factors in Texas Parental Termination Cases In Texas, a parent can have their parental rights terminated, but this is a serious matter that judges take extremely seriously. To guide them in their decision, the court must consider the “best interests of the child.“ For guidance, they turn to the “Holley Factors” – a set of criteria established in the 1976 Texas Supreme Court case, Holley v. Adams, which are used to determine the best interests...