It is not uncommon in a divorce to experience credit issues or other financial problems. However, many people wind up ambushed by the true scope of these issues and find themselves struggling with serious financial difficulties. If you are getting ready to file for divorce, the following information can be useful. For more detailed information regarding your particular circumstances, as well as other divorce questions, one of our skilled Collin County divorce attorneys can help.

Take Steps Before You File

Whenever possible, it is in your best interest to ensure your finances remain stable even before you file your petition to divorce. If you and your spouse are on friendly terms despite the decision to divorce, try working together to minimize or eliminate as many marital debts as you can. This can include closing or freezing any joint accounts you may have. Paying off as much debt as you can before the marriage ends will go a long way in providing you with solid financial footing as you begin your post-divorce life.  

Another step you should take is opening up a new credit card just in your name. Do not use the card for large purchases. Instead, use it to make small purchases and pay them in full immediately. This helps build up your credit in your name only, as well as provide you with financial lifeline if the relationship with your spouse is an acrimonious one.

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.

Over the past several years, social networks have become a significant part of our lives. These sites allow us to connect with friends and family members, and share photos, thoughts, and opinions with others, no matter where we are. While this level of connection has many benefits, it can also have some negative effects. Social media is playing an increasing role in the breakdown of marriages. In fact, studies have shown that Facebook is involved in approximately 30 percent of all divorces.

How Addicted Are We?

According to some studies, the average person in the United States checks Facebook, Twitter, or other social networks 17 times each day. The latest industry statistics from 2020 reveal the following:

• The average user spent more almost two hours and 30 minutes each day on social media.
• Approximately half of the time the average user spent on their mobile device was accessing their social media apps.
• Facebook use consumed the most amount of time, with the average user spending about two hours each day on the network.
• The average user spent about 40 minutes a day on YouTube, 30 minutes per day on Snapchat, and 28 minutes per day on Instagram.

How Social Media Can Cause Relationship Issues

This amount of time focused on their social media accounts causes some people to neglect their personal relationships, and couples who spend more time on social media than they do interacting with each other are likely to experience relationship difficulties. 

In the United States, divorce is a fact of life for many people. However, one demographic that has seen an increase in divorce rates over the past few decades includes people over the age of 50. Divorces for people who are in their fifties or older is often referred to as “gray divorce.” According to national data, the rate for gray divorces has doubled in the past 30 years and researchers predict that by 2030, that rate will have tripled.

Those who choose to end their marriage later in their life will often face a wide variety of emotional and financial challenges that are different from those faced by their younger counterparts, and determining how to move forward after the end of a long marriage can often be difficult. The following are some tips for surviving and thriving after a gray divorce.

You Are Never Too Old to Start Over

A major life change like a divorce can be very stressful, especially when it involves the end of a long-term partnership. During the divorce process and even after it is over, you may experience anxiety about changes to your habits and routines and wonder if you will be able to find a new partner. However, by focusing on practicing self-care, taking part in activities you enjoy, and continuing to move forward, you can start the next phase of your life on a positive note.

At its core, marriage is a legal bond created between two people who, at one point in time, vowed to stay together forever. However, not all plans that we make in life unfold in the ways we think they will, and marriage is no different. 

When a marriage is no longer working out for either one or both parties involved, divorce may be the solution. While divorce proceedings are designed to result in the dissolution of marriage, there is far more to a divorce than simply ending the legal bond between two people. 

There are many details that must be addressed as two people begin the process of getting a divorce, including property division. Dividing assets and deciding on how to allocate shared property can be a grueling experience, but it is far more manageable when you have an experienced family law attorney guiding you through it all.