Blog

In a divorce, property division can be complex. When a family business is involved, it can be especially complicated. Here’s what you should know.

Do I need a lawyer for my Texas divorce? It’s a common question. Sometimes, to save money, people will see what they can do to go through a divorce without a lawyer. There are resources available to help you do it, and there is no law that requires people to have a divorce attorney.

According to a 2019 research study, only about 60% of kids in the United States live with their married, biological parents. The rest live in many different situations—commonly residing with one biological parent with visitation from the second biological parent after a divorce. With this happening so frequently, it’s no wonder that many parents wonder how they can continue being good parents to their children, even when they can’t always be with them. Here are some tips.

In the past, we’ve written about how child development is affected when Texas couples divorce. A study, which included 8,000 people, found that divorce can have a substantial impact on a child’s ability to form relationships later in life. But, how does divorce affect children during childhood? And what can parents do to minimize the impact?

Paternity is a legal term used to talk about the identity of a child’s father. When paternity is established, a child’s genetic father becomes the child’s legal father as well. The father then has all the legal rights and responsibilities that come with fatherhood.

Birthdays and holidays can be challenging enough when parents live together. When they live separately and co-parent, however, child custody can become especially complicated. 

To Whom It May Concern:

Ideally, a divorce will reach a resolution as quickly as possible. But that’s not always the case. Because divorces can take some time and life goes on, Texas courts often issue temporary orders that stay in place through the duration of the divorce. The temporary orders can protect your interests during the divorce process. Those orders are issued after a temporary orders hearing; here’s what to expect from them and the process.

Every family is different. Parents must learn to co-parent together outside of marriage when their child is still very young. In those cases, it’s a good idea to talk with your lawyer about what’s best for your family. Babies and toddlers have needs and abilities different from those of an older child. 

Texas courts want both parents to have a fulfilling relationship with their children, whether married or divorced. But there are some times when protecting parental visitation rights can be difficult—like when allegations of emotional or physical abuse are present, when a parent struggles with mental health or substance use issues, or when there is a likelihood of child abduction by a parent.

Marriage can be hard. And, when things get hard, some spouses walk away. When a spouse leaves the relationship, it can be confusing for the remaining spouse to know what to do. Texas law offers guidance, and the lawyers at the Schneider Law Firm, P.C., can help protect your interests.

 “Grounds for divorce” is a phrase that comes up a great deal when a person is thinking of ending a marriage. You might have heard it on TV or in conversations with your friends. But, what does it mean? And how do Texas courts view grounds for divorce?

Sometimes dissolution of marriage continues much longer and is more stressful than anticipated because one spouse refuses to follow the rules. In cases where an ex refuses to follow court-ordered property division, there are things you can do to help make sure the order gets enforced.

“How many years do you need to be married before courts will order alimony in a divorce?” 

At the Schneider Law Firm, P.C., in Fort Worth, we often hear from people who waited years before they divorced. They knew that the marriage wasn’t working a long time ago, but they tried to make it work. Sometimes, it was for the kids. Other times, it was due to financial insecurity or fear of what their families or friends might think.

In any legal matter that affects your child—whether it’s a divorce, a paternity proceeding or the modification of an existing court order—your child has the right to be a child, free from the fighting that can overwhelm adults’ lives.

Going to family court in Texas can be stressful. It’s hard to know exactly what to expect. Here are some tips from our experienced family law attorneys to help you prepare yourself for your day in court.

Divorce can be one of the most challenging things that anyone experiences. And for a child, the impact can be life-changing. At Schneider Law Firm, P.C., parents often ask us how to help their kids cope with divorce. We work hard to help them resolve issues while minimizing the impact and making things easier for their children.

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Texas since the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling on a case called Obergefell v. Hodges. In this case, a group of same-sex couples sued their state agencies. They claimed that the state's refusal to recognize same-sex marriage violated their rights under the Constitution.

Relationships are complicated. Sometimes, an interest in a potential new partner becomes the impetus for a divorce. Other times, a divorce takes so long that life continues for months or even years. Spouses become eager to make a connection with someone and to feel desirable again. No matter what the reason, many people find themselves wondering whether it’s okay to start dating before the divorce is finalized.

“Should I sign a prenup?” It’s a question that we sometimes hear from clients on the verge of getting married. In some cases, prenups can bring peace of mind. But, they can also be a great source of stress. Here’s what you need to know.

Divorcing spouses often worry how they will make ends meet. They know the income that once supported one household must now be divided to support two, and they’re unsure what impact that will have on their finances. 

Sometimes, spouses are not completely ready to experience the finality of divorce. Yet, they feel their marriage is on the rocks and they need some time apart to decompress and consider how to move forward. If this sounds like you, know that there is an alternative to divorce in Texas: informal separation.

Approximately 40-50% of marriages within the United States end in divorce. Some of these divorces involve special needs children and children dealing with disabilities of all forms: physical, learning, emotional and behavioral. The divorce process can become extremely complex if there are children with special needs involved.

In law, there are generally two types of divorces: contested and uncontested. If you’re considering a divorce, you must understand the differences between the two, so you can move forward in the best way for you and your family.

When you hear the word “estate,” you may think it doesn’t apply to you. After all, estates are often thought to only include large assets such as mansions and financial wealth. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Let’s assume a typical family unit: husband, wife, two kids, and a dog. The family lives in a nice, middle-class neighborhood in Arlington and Mansfield, Texas, with a home, two cars, and a few 401(k) retirement accounts from various career roles over the years. 

Panic. Stuck. Frozen. These words might spring to mind if you’re facing a family-related crisis. Perhaps your spouse announced that he is leaving. Or you yourself want to leave—need to leave in cases of domestic abuse—but you’re afraid to take action because you simply don’t know what to do.

We’ve all heard of marriage as a partnership. Similar in kind to small business partnerships, the spouses share responsibility (to one degree or another) over household chores, finances, children, and so on. The spouses also share the benefits that come from their partnership, such as the shared home, family vacations, a degree of financial security, emotional support, etc.

The psychological literature is clear: Divorce can be extremely stressful—for everyone involved, from the parents to the children. Psychology Today cites our unique ability to make up stories (as human beings) as a major factor in how we deal with stress. For many people, a difficult marriage headed toward divorce is a “story” about disappointment and failure. That story can cause significant stress—but it’s just that: a story.