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In this article, you will discover: The step-by-step process for private adoption in Texas. How courts assess the suitability of a home in a private adoption. Red flags that can indicate weaknesses in your private adoption case. What Is The Step-By-Step Legal Process For Private Adoption In Texas? Selecting Jurisdiction And Venue The first step in preparing for a court to render a final decree in a private adoption case is selecting the proper jurisdiction and venue. Selecting proper jurisdiction means ensuring the necessary parties are subject to the jurisdiction of a court in the State of Texas. Selecting the proper venue ensures you're in the appropriate county and that you've chosen the correct court to file your lawsuit. Under the Family Code, a petition for adoption can be filed…Read More

In this article, you will discover: Whether only fathers can be ordered to pay child support The exception to the rule that child support in Texas stops when the child turns 18 Whether a Texas parent can cease child support payments when their ex-spouse remarries Myth #1: Only Fathers Have To Pay Child Support In Texas Any parent, mother or father, can be ordered to pay child support. Myth #2: Child Support In Texas Automatically Stops When A Child Turns 18 There are exceptions to this rule. A child support order can allow for child support to go through high school graduation, college, or even adulthood for a disabled child. Myth #3: A Texas Parent Can Stop Paying Child Support If Their Ex-Spouse Remarries Or Has A New Partner This…Read More

In this article, you will discover: Why it’s inappropriate to bad-mouth your co-parent to the children Why keeping detailed documentation is crucial to your Texas custody battle’s success Why representing yourself in a custody battle is not recommended Mistake #1: Bad-Mouthing The Other Parent In A Texas Custody Case It is never appropriate, nor is it in your child's best interest, to bad-mouth your co-parent. This bad habit can have significant impacts on children. Therefore, refrain from mentioning the other parent’s shortcomings or errors in your opinions. Always encourage your child to spend quality time with the other parent. If safety considerations cause you to believe your child isn’t safe with the other parent, take appropriate legal action and do not take matters into your own hands. Therefore, refrain from…Read More

In this article, you will discover: How to prepare emotionally and legally for custody mediation in Hunt County, TX. Documents to bring with you for custody mediation. Dos and Don’ts for parents participating in child custody mediation. How Do I Know If I’m Emotionally And Legally Ready For Custody Mediation? For custody mediation, being well-prepared with the right documents helps the process go more smoothly and supports your position. You may also want to conduct formal or informal discovery with the other parent to gather evidence and obtain responsive information that facilitates the negotiation process. Finally, remember that the mediator is a neutral party who has no particular knowledge of your case beyond what you, the other parent, and your attorneys shared. The mediator’s role is not to judge you…Read More

In this article, you will discover: How mediation works in Hunt County, Texas child custody cases. The benefits of the mediation process. What happens if one party doesn’t cooperate in mediation. How Is Child Custody Mediation Initiated In Texas? A court order is not generally required to appoint a mediator in Texas courts. However, if the parties cannot agree to mediation, one party can request that the court order the appointment to take place before a final hearing. Additionally, if an agreement cannot be reached, the court may need to appoint a particular mediator or allocate mediation costs between the parties. The most efficient course of action is for the parties’ attorneys to select a mediator and schedule a day and time that works for all counsel and the litigants.…Read More

In this article, you will discover: How violating a custody order will impact your parental rights How to enforce a custody order through careful documentation of violations How to correct an unwitting violation of a custody order How Do Legal Custody Agreement Violations Impact Parental Rights? Actions that violate the terms of the custody court order are heavily frowned upon by the courts and can have a significant impact on future possession, access and even conservatorship rights. If a court order spells out the time for an exchange between parents, failing to comply with that order is a violation. As a parent and litigant, you should be leery of violating the custody agreement without speaking to an attorney first. Can I Legally Withhold Visitation In Texas If My Ex-Spouse Violates…Read More

In this article, you will discover:  What occurs during a child custody evaluation Who performs child custody evaluations in Texas, and what their qualifications are What you should expect during a child custody evaluation What Is A Child Custody Evaluation, And How Can I Request One? A child custody evaluation is a formal assessment conducted by a mental health professional, such as a psychologist or social worker, to determine the best custody arrangement for your child in cases of divorce or separation. The evaluation includes recommendations about conservatorship, possession and access to your child. The goal of a custody evaluation is to: Assess your child’s needs Assess each parent’s ability to meet those needs Ensure the custody decision supports your child’s well-being and best interests A motion and hearing to…Read More

In this article, you will discover: The importance of flexibility in co-parenting holiday planning How to avoid communication mishaps about or changes in holiday plans How to reduce a child’s stress about holiday plans during custody transitions Why Is Flexibility Important For Successful Co-Parenting During The Holidays? Flexibility is key because most holiday parenting times revolve around school calendars, which we know change on an annual basis. If schools decide to let out for Christmas holidays early one year, they may go back significantly later in January than the prior year. If parenting time schedules revolve around the school's holiday schedule, you may feel you’re unfairly deprived of time, or the other party is unfairly given a windfall of time. It can be essential to be flexible and take into…Read More

In this article, you will discover: How you should handle your social media during a divorce or custody case The risks of posting about a new relationship during a divorce or custody case How social media posts can be used by opposing counsel to challenge your character in a divorce or custody case What Types Of Social Media Posts Should I Avoid During A Divorce Or Custody Case? Ideally, stay off of social media during your divorce or custody case. However, social media is a large part of everybody's lives these days, so that's not likely to be feasible. Posts about your spouse, the pending case, your children or how your children are feeling during a separation, divorce or custody case are not necessary for social media. If you have…Read More

In this article, you will discover: How to prepare for a meeting with an amicus attorney. How an amicus attorney decides what’s in the best interest of a child. How to make sure an amicus attorney understands your side of the case. What Experience Do You Have Working With High-Conflict Custody Cases? As an amicus attorney, a hundred percent of my experience is in high-conflict custody cases. High conflict is one of the requirements that the court must consider when appointing an amicus. I usually carry a caseload of about 20 high-conflict amicus cases at a time. These cases are primarily in Hunt County, where we have litigants who are usually getting divorced or trying to modify a prior court order after a divorce that dealt with custody issues: the…Read More