Psychiatrists and psychologists concluded quite a few years ago that going through a divorce is the second most stressful life event. This is true even if both parties agree that a divorce is the right thing for them. Unfortunately, parents can get so focused on the financial and emotional aspects of how the divorce process is affecting them that they don’t pay enough attention to what is happening with the children. It is easy for them to make mistakes during the divorce that continue even after the divorce is final. Some Common Mistakes Parents Make During the Divorce Parents do not … [Read more...]
How Does the Current Economy Affect My Divorce?
One of the top reasons couples give for getting a divorce, even in a good economy, is arguing and disagreements over financial issues. During a downturn in the economy, when people are losing their jobs and prices for everything from paper towels to real estate are skyrocketing, financial issues become even more stressful. At Springer & Lyle, we have some suggestions for couples who are on the edge of divorce or are already in the process of dissolving their marriage. Assess Your Financial Situation You and your spouse must conduct a thorough and honest assessment of your current … [Read more...]
Issues to Resolve in a Divorce Without Children
When a couple who has no children together decides to get a divorce, in many aspects, the divorce is easier. But there are still issues that need to be resolved. Division of Assets and Liabilities Texas is a community property state. This means that all assets and debts acquired by you and your spouse during your marriage belong equally to you both. This includes retirement plans and income earned from your jobs. Property that either of you owned separately prior to the marriage, and that was never commingled with community property, belongs solely to that spouse as their separate … [Read more...]
Most Common Reasons People Get a Divorce
No couple gets married with the expectation of getting divorced. Things change over the weeks, months, and years that they are together. In the U.S., more than 50 percent of first marriages end in divorce. More than 60 percent of second marriages end in divorce, and 73 percent of third marriages end up in divorce court. Texas Allows for a No-Fault Divorce Texas ranks 15th among the 50 states for divorces. Texas provides for a no-fault divorce. This means that when one spouse files for divorce, the reason for the divorce is generally “insupportability.” That means the spouse does not … [Read more...]
The Disadvantages of a High Conflict Divorce
A high conflict divorce can leave you exhausted both financially and emotionally. It begins with one party doing everything legally possible to come out “the winner.” There are many disadvantages to divorcing this way, but there are times when it cannot be avoided. Some Signs That the Divorce Will be High Conflict There is a personality type that almost assures the divorce will be high conflict. Some signs are that one party: Is always blaming the other one.Is controlling and manipulative, both consciously and unconsciously.Has emotional outbursts of yelling and screaming and is … [Read more...]
Divorce: How to Manage the Holidays
The holidays are coming. Before you know it, you will be making decisions for your family about how to manage the holiday schedule. If this is your first holiday season after your divorce, you may find it difficult to juggle activities, to determine which parent the children will be with at which times, and to carve out a holiday routine that is as close to normal as possible. At Springer & Lyle, we want to help parents co-parent their children during the holiday season in ways that alleviate stress. You can combine your standard traditions with new ways of celebrating so the season is … [Read more...]
Common Divorce Fears
Psychiatrists and psychologists consider divorce the second most stressful life event, coming in slightly behind the stress of losing a spouse to death. Part of the stress is attributed to fears spouses have of the unknown. Life is changing. For some, the change is so dramatic they are overwhelmed with sadness. Our family law attorneys at Springer & Lyle find they can be more helpful to their divorcing clients if they can alleviate some of the client’s fears and refer them to professionals when it seems appropriate. Fear of the Unknown The initial fear seems to be … [Read more...]
Can I Date While Going Through a Divorce?
Although it may seem unfair, you should not date while going through a divorce in Texas. There are legal and personal reasons why you should wait until the divorce is final before dating. Do Not Turn Your No-Fault Divorce Into one with Fault Allegations Texas law allows a no-fault divorce. This means couples may get divorced without alleging that one of them was at fault for the divorce. The law also allows one party to allege the other one’s actions caused the break-up of the marriage. The most common fault allegation is that one party committed adultery. If your spouse … [Read more...]
Can I Kick My Spouse Out of the House?
The easy answer to the question about whether you can kick your spouse out of the house is, “No.” You cannot arbitrarily kick your spouse out of the house. You need a court order to evict a spouse who, in Texas, a community property state, generally has as much legal right to stay in the home as you do. You Must Legally Evict Your Spouse Some spouses have changed the locks on the home, thinking they have the right to do so and to keep the other spouse out. If the locked-out spouse calls the police, the police will tell you that you are the one in the wrong, and you must allow your … [Read more...]
What Is a Gray Divorce?
A gray divorce is one that involves couples over the age of 50. Although some gray divorces are short-term, the majority involve couples who have been married for many years. There are issues unique to this type of divorce that are not faced by younger couples. For example: There are no minor children, so custody and support are not issues.Often, one spouse has been out of the workforce for many years, so spousal support is more of an issue.They have a retirement plan that must be divided.The spouses have accumulated more assets than younger couples, so property division is the … [Read more...]
