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Been Served with Divorce or Custody Papers in Texas? Don’t Panic—Here’s What to Do!   Getting served with divorce or custody papers can feel overwhelming, but knowing your next steps is critical. In this video, we break down what Service of Process means, why it happens, and how to protect your rights in a Texas divorce, custody, or family law case. From understanding Petitions and Citations to avoiding a Default Judgment that could cost you your home, 401K, or even your kids, we’ve got you covered.   Key Topics Covered:  What is Service of Process in Texas?  Why you might get served (strategy, miscommunication, or more)  The risks of a Default Judgment and how to avoid it  When filing an Answer is the right move—and when it’s not  Why hiring a competent Texas family law attorney is your best step Time is critical! In Texas, you typically have about three weeks to respond after being served. Don’t risk losing everything by guessing or delaying. Watch now to learn why a divorce lawyer or custody attorney with real expertise is essential for your case.   Need Help? Contact our experienced Texas divorce and family law firm today for personalized guidance. Protect your future, your finances, and your family.  

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Celebrating Four Decades in the Law

Almost exactly forty years ago, I was an Artillery Officer in the United States Marine Corps, stationed at Camp Pendleton, California. The Battalion was getting a new Commanding Officer, and needed a new Legal Officer for the Battalion. The description included “being the Legal Advisor to the Battalion Commander.” The job was to handle the initial preparation of Court Martial proceedings for…

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Divorce: Can your spouse hide money in Crypto?

Cryptocurrencies can offer a significant level of privacy and security, making them an attractive option for individuals seeking to hide assets during a divorce. Using cryptocurrencies for this purpose may have severe legal consequences. Find out more...

Cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, have gained a great deal of popularity in recent years due to their decentralized and anonymous nature. These digital currencies can offer a significant level of privacy and security, making them an attractive option for individuals seeking to hide assets during a divorce. However, it is crucial to understand that using cryptocurrencies for this purpose may have…

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Grandparent Rights in Texas

In Texas, grandparents’ rights encompass visitation and custody decisions, with limited ability to seek conservatorship of children. Grandparents can seek access to grandchildren, but court i…

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How to Obtain a Geographic Restriction in a Texas Custody Case

Introduction:In a custody case, it is common for parents to have concerns about the geographic location where their child will reside. A geographic restriction, also known as a residency restriction, is a court order that limits the child’s primary residence to a specific geographic area. This article will guide you through the process of obtaining a geographic restriction in a Texas custody…

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Summer Wedding Coming Up? Now may be the time to learn some Family Law.

Summer Wedding Coming Up? Now may be the time to learn some Family Law.

Summer is a great time for weddings. School is out, the weather is great, and it stays light until late.

If you have a wedding coming up, or you have a son or daughter that does, you have no doubt spent a large amount of time planning everything. The one thing that you may not have had time for yet is an education on what a marriage does to a couple from a legal perspective.

Once the couple is…

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Child Custody: What is a Standard Possession Schedule?

Child Custody: What is a Standard Possession Schedule?

A key part of any custody order is the possession schedule. Understanding it is the key to understanding when you have the right to have possession of your children and when you don’t.

In Texas, Family Code Section 153.312 specifies what the Standard Possession Schedule is.

By law, the Standard Possession Schedule (also known as the SPO) sets out the minimum amount of time that is presumed to be…

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Custody: How does possession work for Firefighters?

Custody: How does possession work for Firefighters?

When a firefighter is involved in a custody situation, some unique problems arise. Although Texas has a Standard Possession Schedule that is presumed to be reasonable in most circumstances, that type of schedule won’t work for someone working a firefighter’s schedule.

If the parents can agree on a schedule, they can work out whatever they want, but if disagreements arise, it is best to have a…

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A New Judge for the 360th District Court

A New Judge for the 360th District Court

As of January 1, 2017, the Judge of the 360th District Court in Tarrant County, Texas is the Honorable Patricia Bennett. Judge Bennett replaces Judge Michael Sinha, who had been the Judge of the 360th and, the prior to that, the Associate Judge of the 360th for years.

Judge Bennett has chosen Matt Riek to be her Associate Judge, and Judge Riek will take the bench on or about January 16, 2017.…

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Christmas Gifts: What happens to them if a divorce comes along?

Christmas Gifts: What happens to them if a divorce comes along?

The holidays are a time for gift-giving. For those going through a divorce at this time of year, the consideration of gifts is especially important.

That’s because, in Texas, all property owned at the time of divorce, including any gifts, must be classified as either separate or community property.

Community property is jointly owned by the married couple and divisible by the judge at the time of…

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Custody and Support: Five Simple Answers for Christmas Related Questions

Custody and Support: Five Simple Answers for Christmas Related Questions

Can I count the Christmas presents that I buy as child support?

No.

Generally speaking, court-ordered child support can only be discharged according to the terms dictated in the order. In fact, most orders contain a warning that says:

                No Credit for Informal Payments

                IT IS ORDERED that the child support as prescribed in this decree shall be exclusively discharged…

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What does the Texas Family Code say about Christmas?

What does the Texas Family Code say about Christmas?

The Texas Family Code Standard Possession Schedule is designed such that the parents are supposed to divide the major holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Thanksgiving is handled by alternating years, and Christmas is handled by dividing the Christmas Break and then alternating which parent has the first part and which has the second part. By doing it that way, each parent should get the…

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The Importance of Filing First

The Importance of Filing First

If you know you’re about to be in a fight, hit first.

That advice works well on the playground, in a bar, or just about anywhere else you find yourself. It is especially true in the world of litigation, including divorce, custody and just about every other type of family law.

To understand why being the first to file matters, it is important to understand a little bit about the rules of the game…

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The Many Parts of a Texas Divorce

The Many Parts of a Texas Divorce

In a previous post, we discussed the procedural parts of a Texas Divorce. In this post, the goal is to identify the substantive parts of a Texas Divorce.

Divorces are interesting types of cases, because unlike most cases, they have discrete parts, each of which needs their own jurisdictional analysis. That is, a court may have the power to deal with one part of the case, but not with another.

Not…

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Divorce and Custody: Five Military Family Law Quick Hits for Veteran’s Day

Divorce and Custody: Five Military Family Law Quick Hits for Veteran’s Day

Here are the quick answers to five common questions that arise for those in the military when facing a divorce or custody case:

1. Is Military Retirement divisible at divorce?

Yes. The portion of military retirement that is attributable to the time that a couple is married is community property. All community property is divisible by the court at divorce. That means that a divorcing couple can…

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Understanding No-Fault Divorce in Texas

Understanding No-Fault Divorce in Texas

There is a great deal of misunderstanding about “no-fault” divorce. Many people believe that the concept of fault has been eliminated from divorces. That could not be further from the truth.

The passage of the “no-fault” law years ago changed the requirement to allege fault, it did not change the right to allege fault.

Prior to the creation of “no-fault” divorce, in order to obtain a divorce in…

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Custody: Airline Pilot Possession Schedule

Custody: Airline Pilot Possession Schedule

Parents who are not together often have court orders detailing the times during which they each have possession of their children. These orders arise in Divorce and Custody cases.

Texas has a Standard Possession Schedule, an Expanded Standard Possession Schedule, and rules regarding what type of schedule a court should give for children under the age of three. All of these are laid out in the…

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