Divorce is never easy, but it can be especially difficult when children are involved. After a divorce, both parents may want to move on with their lives and start fresh somewhere else. But what happens when one parent wants to move out of the area with the children? Review Your Custody Agreement If you have a custody agreement in place, you will need to review it carefully to determine what it says about moving out of the area. If you are the custodial parent and you want to move with the children, you may need to get permission from the court or from the other parent. If you are the … [Read more...]
Divorce, Children and Summer
Divorce can be a difficult and emotional experience for both parents and children, and it can become even more complicated during the summer months when kids are out of school and routines may be disrupted. Below are valuable tips and strategies for navigating divorce and co-parenting during the summer with a focus on the well-being of the children. Communication is Key One of the most important things you can do as co-parents during the summer is to maintain open lines of communication. Make sure you are both aware of any changes in schedules, upcoming events or activities, and any … [Read more...]
Divorce: What Happens To Our Belongings
Texas is a community property state. This means that all property acquired during the marriage belongs equally to each spouse. This includes not only your real estate, retirement accounts, automobiles etc., but also includes your belongings, such as your furniture. How to Divide Belongings The first step in dividing your belongings is to make a list of all the items you own together. This includes individual items such as a piano, paintings, bedroom set, living room furniture, etc. You need to put a monetary value on these items. Identify separate property. You each need to make … [Read more...]
Roadblocks in a Divorce Settlement
Almost everyone agrees that going through a divorce is stressful. For some, the process is more stressful than for others. Some spouses respond to the divorce by making the process difficult. They are uncooperative and make it almost impossible to work together to come up with their own settlement agreement. Some of the main issues that create roadblocks to settlement are fighting over the custody of minor children, wanting to be the “winner,” and having unreasonable expectations. Fighting Over Custody of Minor Children Generally, both parents are fit to have primary conservatorship … [Read more...]
Tips for Moms Going Through a Divorce
Going through a divorce is always an emotional time. Some women who stay home with minor children often find it particularly difficult. At Springer & Lyle, we recognize this and help you through the process so that you can emerge on the other side as a whole person ready to face the world. An organization that specifically provides coaching to women who are going through a divorce has come up with eight things they think divorcing mothers should know. Using that as a guide, we offer some tips for moms going through a divorce. Tips For Divorcing Moms Educate yourself. Talk with … [Read more...]
Divorce: Is It Better To Wait Until The Children Are Grown?
Couples who are considering a divorce and who have minor children often wonder if they should stay together “for the sake of the kids” and wait until the children are grown to divorce. There are pros and cons to both views. Pros of Waiting Until the Children Are Grown There are some advantages to waiting until the children are grown. The main ones are that you will avoid arguing about child custody and child support issues. You will not have to decide: If you and your spouse are compatible, and these issues are important to you, it may be in your best interest and the best … [Read more...]
Divorce: Do I Need a Lawyer?
It is possible to get a divorce in Texas without the assistance of an attorney. The law does not require you to have an attorney, and there are many websites that offer, for a small fee, to walk you through the process. A better question is “Should I get a divorce without the help of a lawyer?” There are some circumstances where a do-it-yourself divorce works, and you and your ex-spouse can walk into your future and not look back. There are also some cases where one or both parties look back with regret when they realize what they lost due to their divorce without legal … [Read more...]
Do I Need a New Will After My Divorce?
One important part of your divorce settlement agreement should be making changes to your will. There are unfortunate consequences if you fail to do this. Drafting a New Will After the Divorce If you have named your spouse in your will as the beneficiary of most of your assets when you die, that is who will inherit your assets if you do not change your will at the time of your divorce. It won’t matter how long you have been divorced. If your will remains unchanged, your named beneficiary, your ex-spouse, will inherit under the terms of your will even if you have been divorced for … [Read more...]
How Do I Know When It Is Time for a Divorce?
Marriage is sometimes difficult, but many couples stay together because it seems easier to live with problems than to make changes. There are some situations that make it impossible for you to continue living in your marriage. Each case is different, and you have to decide for yourself when it is time for you to consult an attorney and petition for divorce. Warning Signs Divorce May Be in Your Future Some warning signs indicate that you and your spouse may be headed for divorce. They do not necessarily mean that divorce is inevitable but should help you decide whether to try and get your … [Read more...]
How to Reduce the Cost of a Divorce
One major concern almost all people have when they decide to divorce is how much the divorce will cost. They know they will be dividing their assets and using the same income to support two households instead of one, and finances are always on their mind. At Springer & Lyle, we strive to help spouses keep the cost of divorce to a minimum. There are a few things you and your spouse can do that can reduce the cost of divorce. Educate yourself about the divorce process in Texas. Learn as much as possible about divorce laws, how the process works in general, and the different divorce … [Read more...]
