Divorce brings about many changes to a person’s life. Not only are there many emotional changes to adjust to, but divorce can also bring financial changes that need to be dealt with, too. It can be especially difficult if one spouse was the primary breadwinner, and the other spouse was in charge of maintaining the house. Suddenly, the spouse who did not work outside of the home has absolutely no income coming in.

Situations like this are one reason why it is an excellent idea for couples to have a prenuptial agreement in place before they marry. In fact, even if you are already married, it is not too late. Many couples still choose to have a postnuptial agreement drawn up. Alimony is one of the many issues that can be addressed in a prenuptial agreement and can make the transition from married life to single life a little easier financially.

If you do not have a prenuptial agreement in place, then your divorce attorney can include an alimony request as part of your divorce settlement.

There are many issues that a couple needs to resolve when they are going through a divorce. While a number of these issues can quickly turn a “friendly” divorce into a contentious one, it is often the issue of custody that can lead to a battle. The feelings of anger and resentment can become even more amplified if one parent is ordered to pay the other child support.

It is not uncommon in these situations where the paying parent accuses the receiving parent of using child support payments for their own benefit and not for the benefit of the child. The receiving parent often scoffs at these accusations since the child support check is likely deposited into their checking account, along with their own paychecks, and they know that the child support is going towards the care and well-being of the child.  

Texas Child Support Laws

Under Texas law, both custodial and noncustodial parents are responsible for supporting their children. Both parents are required to meet the reasonable and necessary physical, emotional, mental, and educational needs of the child. Custodial parents must also provide food, shelter, and clothing for the child, but custodial parents also know there will always be other expenses that go with raising the child.

Parents are not perfect humans, and everybody makes mistakes. Sometimes a parent makes a mistake that is blown out of proportion; other times, vengeful exes make false accusations to try to gain the upper hand in a custody battle. When this happens, the Texas Child Protective Services (CPS) may get involved and launch an investigation into a parent who has been accused of child abuse.

These investigations are serious and can lead to criminal charges. Even if you believe you are completely innocent, is it important to take the investigation seriously, behave cooperatively, and get an experienced attorney to help you defend your parental rights.

What Can a CPS Investigator Do?

Because a CPS investigator needs to get accurate information about allegations of abuse, the investigator will want to talk to the child who is the victim of the allegations. This interview can happen anywhere, but often takes place when the child is at school. The interview takes place one-on-one, between the child and the investigator, and is recorded.

If you have ever been threatened by someone and fear they will commit violence against you, it can be difficult to know what to do. Victims of domestic violence in particular face a challenging set of choices because their abuser is frequently their romantic partner, making it difficult to get a divorce or otherwise leave the relationship.

Violence, including the threat of violence, is serious business under Texas law. Seeking something known as a “Protective Order” can give victims or potential victims of violence an option that keeps them safe by keeping their abuser away. If you have suffered violence or someone is threatening you, understanding Protective Orders is key to ensuring your future safety.

What is a Protective Order in Texas?

Protective Orders are court orders that are intended to separate someone violent from their victim. Protective Orders can apply to perpetrators of violence such as beating, hitting, slapping, and choking, as well as perpetrators of sexual assault. Even threats of violence can be sufficient to warrant a Protective Order in Texas. There are three kinds of Protective Orders available:

Finding out that you will be a father can be a thrilling and terrifying experience. You may feel unprepared, unsure of yourself, and even wonder whether this is something you want to do at all. However, despite the challenges of being a parent, establishing paternity under Texas law can benefit everyone - the father, the mother, and, most importantly, the child. Understanding how paternity is established in Texas and why it is important to establish paternity is a great first step in becoming a responsible father.

How Is Paternity Established in Texas?

If a man and a woman are married, establishing paternity is straightforward - the man is presumed to be the child’s father. Likewise, if a child is born within 300 days of a couple’s divorce, the former husband is still presumed to be the child’s father.

If parents are unmarried, however, the process is a little more complicated. If both parents agree that the alleged father is indeed the father of the child, they can sign a legally valid acknowledgment form declaring paternity. Both parents must sign the form to be valid.