The concept of a child-centered divorce is really quite simple. It is a divorce in which both parents put the needs of their children first and foremost. The execution of a child-centered divorce, however, can be challenging. The Goal of a Child-Centered Divorce The goal of a child-centered divorce is always to provide the best possible life for the children who … [Read more...] about What Does It Mean to Have a Child-Centered Divorce?
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Tips for Putting the Children First during a Divorce
It’s often the intention of the parents to put their children first. However, even good parents sometimes can use tips and tools to make sure they prioritize the needs of the children. If you’re reading this article, you’re already a step ahead. The most important thing to remember is that your children are half a part of you, and half a part of your spouse/other parent. Any negative … [Read more...] about Tips for Putting the Children First during a Divorce
The Importance of Budgeting
One tool in the financial neutral tool belt is Budgeting. Some view budgets as intimidating, but the process of budgeting can be incredibly cathartic. A collaborative divorce professional team is comprised of two attorneys, a mental health neutral and a financial neutral. It is the financial neutral’s role to collect the financial documents, build out a spreadsheet of the assets and … [Read more...] about The Importance of Budgeting
A Common Pitfall of the Adversarial Traditional Divorce
Inadvertently Pushing Your Child(ren) Away by Estrangement “My ex is poisoning my kids towards me. She is feeding them lies!” “He’s a narcissist, that is why I am divorcing him. Now he continues to try to control me through our children.” “I don’t want my son turning out like my ex. My ex and I can’t agree on anything!” These are some of the statements that therapists often hear from … [Read more...] about A Common Pitfall of the Adversarial Traditional Divorce
Tax Issues After Divorce
Many people wonder how they should file their tax return after divorce and what will change on it. Here’s a list of things to consider and plan for: 2 different issues to determine for tax purposes: Filing Status – HOH or Single (determined on last day of calendar year -- 12/31)Dependency exemption for each child “Custodial” and “noncustodial” parent -- definitions are … [Read more...] about Tax Issues After Divorce
Privacy and Collaborative Divorce
Privacy is one of the most important benefits of a collaborative divorce. Most people do not want their marital problems and finances made public. But that frequently happens in litigation. Litigation often includes court proceedings which are open to the public. Anyone who wishes can sit in the courtroom and hear all of the testimony. The parties can be required to produce financial and … [Read more...] about Privacy and Collaborative Divorce
How is a Collaborative Divorce Different?
A collaborative divorce is very different from a typical courthouse divorce because of the collaborative process. In a collaborative divorce the spouses agree at the beginning of the divorce that they will not go to court, but will work through the issues that must be resolved outside the courtroom. They and their lawyers sign a contract where they promise to try to settle all the issues of … [Read more...] about How is a Collaborative Divorce Different?
I’m Getting Divorced: How Do I Help My Kids?
You’re getting divorced and you are definitely not feeling “okay.” Emotionally your world feels turned upside down. You’re scared about your future, afraid, and feel like you’re on an emotional rollercoaster. STOP! Take a deep breath and don’t panic. This happens to almost everyone in this situation, particularly if the divorce is unexpected or unwanted. … [Read more...] about I’m Getting Divorced: How Do I Help My Kids?
How Do I Select an Attorney for My Divorce
Once you make the decision to file for divorce, the next difficult decision will be who you should hire to represent you in the divorce. In addition to making sure that the attorney you hire is competent, it is also important to make sure that you are comfortable disclosing very personal information to that attorney. Even the most skilled of attorneys can only help you if they know all of … [Read more...] about How Do I Select an Attorney for My Divorce
How Should I Prepare for My Divorce?
Important: This article assumes there is time to prepare--that you and your children are not in danger. If you are in danger, you must act first to protect yourself and your children. Leave, call the police or both. When you are safe, call a family law attorney. Most divorces are foreseeable months or even years before they occur. If you are considering a divorce, your spouse has … [Read more...] about How Should I Prepare for My Divorce?
Don’t Mess Up the Children
If you have children and you are going through a divorce, hopefully they will be both your and your spouse's primary concern. Divorce can be scary and overwhelming for the children. Remember it is not just you and your spouse who are involved in the divorce, the children's lives and future are also wrapped up in the divorce. Some things that you can do for your children when going … [Read more...] about Don’t Mess Up the Children
Sacrifice in Divorce
Definition of sacrifice: the surrender of something prized or desirable for the sake of something else, maybe something considered as having a higher or more pressing claim; something you give up, usually for the sake of a better cause. Divorce is like an onion. Peel back a layer and all you get is another layer, and one that will probably make you cry at some point. It’s not easy. As a legal … [Read more...] about Sacrifice in Divorce
Where is the voice of the child during divorce?
Most parents sincerely intend to do what is best for the children, especially during a divorce. Unfortunately for the children, all too often the parents do not agree between themselves what really is best for the kids. Such disagreements frequently lead to conflict. The conflict, in turn, causes stress, and the stress causes harm. That harm can manifest itself in any number of ways: Feelings … [Read more...] about Where is the voice of the child during divorce?
Divorce: Miserable or Different – You Choose
Even though many of us are fearful of it, we all know the one sure thing in life is change. No matter how unhappy they were in the marriage, the biggest fear of people going through a divorce is about how life is going to be different. Yes, many things do change with a divorce. But is that always such a bad thing? After divorce, people tend to have more time to … [Read more...] about Divorce: Miserable or Different – You Choose
What is Fair for Me in a Divorce?
The Concept of Fair in Collaborative Divorce What is FAIR? A state-wide event that comes to Dallas every OctoberIn the eye of the beholderA purely subjective term A four letter wordAn ineffective approach to divorceAccording to Webster : Fair is In accordance with rules or standards; Without cheating or trying to achieve unjust advantage In Collaborative Divorce, replaced with the word … [Read more...] about What is Fair for Me in a Divorce?
Am I Going to be Okay After Divorce?
After a divorce you may be thinking, "Can make it on my own?" The prospect of an upcoming divorce can be scary; overwhelming; disturbing and all other sorts of emotions. Your life is changing and it’s hard to know what your new life will look like. Will you be ok? Will your children be ok? Will you be able to afford your current lifestyle? Will I make it on my own? The short answer is YES, … [Read more...] about Am I Going to be Okay After Divorce?
How Long Will it Take for me to get Divorced?
As with any problem, to answer that question depends on how you choose to tackle the process. Where you begin often dictates where you end up. As you consider your divorce options, you might begin by asking yourself: 1) How emotionally entrenched are you or your spouse in your respective ‘positions’? 2) What factors are you willing to compromise on in order to divorce more quickly? 3) … [Read more...] about How Long Will it Take for me to get Divorced?
How to Talk to Your Children about Divorce
One of the most difficult tasks a family faces when confronting divorce is telling their children that a divorce is going to happen. Parents often ask what is the best way to convey this news to their children? While this information is never easy to present, there are ways to do it which can reduce the negative impact on your children and allow for a better adjustment for everyone. Timing … [Read more...] about How to Talk to Your Children about Divorce
What is a Gray Divorce?
The term Gray Divorce, relates to persons who were born between,1946 and 1971--the Baby Boomer Generation--those who are 50 or older and who are now considering divorce. A Gray Divorce is called that for obvious reasons—they are folks who are over 50 and who are literally or at least figuratively turning gray. The whole idea of a Gray Divorce market is a surprise to some. Many people are … [Read more...] about What is a Gray Divorce?
Social Media and Divorce
There have been many studies conducted in recent years discussing the negative impact of social media on relationships and marriages. The negative impact is even greater on relationships and divorces. Lawyers have seen an increase in the number of cases using social networking evidence in divorce actions. Social media and social networking can be a great tool for communicating about … [Read more...] about Social Media and Divorce
What’s Going to Happen to my Grandbabies?
A question frequently asked of family lawyers is “what are my rights as a grandparent”? Over the years the answer to this question has changed. Until 2000, the State of Texas frequently granted grandparent access when they could show that visitation was in the child’s best interest. In the year 2000, the United States Supreme Court issued an opinion affecting grandparent rights in Troxel vs … [Read more...] about What’s Going to Happen to my Grandbabies?
Three Texas-Sized Divorce e-Myths
There is quite a bit of misinformation on the internet today about divorce laws in Texas. In the post-information age in which we live, we can literally find an answer to any question within seconds at the touch of a button or a question to Alexa. However, finding accurate and relevant information can be much more challenging, especially when it comes to finding answers to … [Read more...] about Three Texas-Sized Divorce e-Myths
Collaborative Divorce is More than an Agreed Divorce
Most divorce and other family law cases are settled before going to trial. If you and your spouse have divorce issues to resolve, we believe collaborative divorce is the best process for resolving those issues. However, if you and your spouse have already agreed to all the issues in your case, collaborative divorce is not for you. All divorces have basic legal requirements so it is always … [Read more...] about Collaborative Divorce is More than an Agreed Divorce
3 Reasons to Go Collaborative
Cost Benefit Value of a Collaborative Divorce “How much will my divorce cost me?” is a loaded question. The cost of divorce is much more than dollars and cents. By choosing collaborative divorce you create value in the opportunity to gain knowledge and insight into both your family and the divorce process and how you and your family can work through divorce and come out stronger on the other … [Read more...] about 3 Reasons to Go Collaborative
Top Things You Need to Know When Getting Divorced
7 Things to Know about the Divorce Process All of these options will be carefully explored if you choose to divorce within the collaborative process. Your Finances It’s important to have an accurate idea of the value of your assets and debts. Gather as many recent financial account statements as possible. This includes bank statements, retirement statements, investment statements. … [Read more...] about Top Things You Need to Know When Getting Divorced