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...]
Mistakes Parents Make During a Divorce
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...]
