Houston Business and Family Law Blog

When parents in Texas divorce or separate, both parties are usually concerned about their children's welfare. While many couples are able to negotiate custody issues before one spouse or partner moves out, this doesn't always happen. In addition, some parents become unhappy about existing custody arrangements months or even years after an initial split.

A parent who learns that their ex plans to file for custody, or has done so already, may experience a range of emotions including shock, fear and anger. While these feelings are normal and understandable, they should not dictate the parent's actions. The fact that one parent has filed for custody does not mean that the effort will be successful.

Texas co-parents who are dealing with a toxic ex-spouse may feel like they are going crazy and are not able to take care of their children in the way they would like. The following tips can help these individuals maintain their sanity and personal integrity while looking out for the best interests of their children.

No matter how much a person would like to do so, they cannot change their ex-spouse. Focusing on the negative things an ex-spouse does will not do any good. It is better to focus on the things a person actually has control of, like their own life and how they respond to an ex-spouse.

Some people in Houston who are going through a divorce may want to hire a divorce financial specialist in addition to an attorney. The decisions made during a divorce can have long-term financial implications, and a divorce financial specialist can work with couples or individuals to help them understand what those implications are.

A divorce financial specialist may be a CPA or have other certifications and will understand many of the more complex issues, such as the tax ramifications of divorce-related financial arrangements. Even people who already have a financial advisor may want to work with a divorce financial specialist since this is a professional who has specific experience in the various options for settlement in a divorce. This can include helping a couple or individual decide what to do with the home in a divorce since this is often an area of misunderstanding and contention.

There are many issues to consider when a Houston couple chooses to get a divorce. One of the most common to arise is the possibility that one former spouse will be ordered to pay support to the other. The question is whether the recipient is entitled to it.

There are certain factors that are considered by the court when deciding on spousal support. The standard of living the couple shared while married is important. The ability to earn and maintain that after the divorce will be a key part of the process. Perhaps the former spouse had chances to advance a career with training or education and put that to the side during the marriage. The paying spouse's capability to meet the obligation will also be considered.