Family and Criminal Law Blog

How long does it take to complete an international adoption?

Internationally, there are over eight million orphans awaiting a family of their own.  Couples wishing to adopt have several options when it comes to adoption. One of the first choices a family will often make is whether to adopt domestically or internationally.  Several high profile adoptions by Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie and Madonna have led to more Americans considering international adoption.  Domestic adoptions, however, continue to be more prevalent than international adoptions.
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How can a parenting agreement help me to co-parent effectively?

Divorce is often a time of immense acrimony.  Tensions may naturally be high following any divorce.  When children are involved, it becomes essential for parents to put aside their hostilities in order to co-parent effectively.

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Will my health insurance coverage be impacted by my divorce?

Divorce has an effect on everyone involved, from the breadwinner to the stay at home parent.  Divorce will impact nearly every aspect of your finances and your life.  Your health insurance is one of the many things that may change due to your divorce.  Health insurance is critical to protect your wellbeing and the health of your family members, so it is important that you anticipate what will happen to your health care coverage after a divorce.
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What actions can I take if I believe my spouse is concealing assets?

Divorce can be costly for some well-to-do individuals.  As such, it is not uncommon for spouses to attempt to conceal their assets from their spouse and the divorce court in order to preserve their wealth.  A spouse may begin planning for divorce long before the actual filing by hiding funds offshore, using trusts, joint partnerships, and the like.  The spouses of those who hide assets may need to take action to uncover the missing assets and obtain their legal stake. Those who attempt to conceal assets could face potential charges from the IRS and negative consequences in divorce court.

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What are the requirements to change a child support order in Texas?

Child support is intended to provide necessary financial support for the millions of children in America living primarily with one parent.  Child support orders are determined by weighing a number of factors, including both parents’ monthly income and contributions to the child’s expenses.  At times, circumstances will change that require a current child support order be modified.

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How do Texas courts determine who gets custody over a child?

In Texas, a group of concerned fathers and mothers are continuing to push for equal parenting laws in the state.  The Texas Fathers’ Rights Movement had several members present in Austin recently to find out more information about the state’s child custody laws.  According to organizers of the movement, it can be difficult for Texas parents to obtain equal visitation time with their children in the event of a divorce or separation.
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What is the process to adopt a child from foster care?

Recently, Bastrop County held a special adoption day.  Twenty-eight children from 17 different families found forever homes at the Bastrop County Courthouse as a part of November’s National Adoption Awareness Month.  In a courtroom lovingly decorated with balloons and banners, adoptions were processed one by one.  The newly formed families cheered as their long-held dreams became a reality with the
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Why is it difficult to divide retirement accounts between divorcing spouses?

In the internet era, more spouses are turning to do-it-yourself divorce as an affordable means to end a marriage.  While some couples may be able to successfully divorce on their own, there are numerous risks if you elect to undergo a DIY divorce.  Divorcing spouses may end up with far more significant financial expenses from going it alone than they would have incurred in attorney’s fees for experienced assistance with the divorce.
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How are divorce patterns changing with the Millennial generation?

Divorce rates and the circumstances surrounding divorce tend to shift with each new generation.  As more millennials are getting married, and divorced, divorce lawyers in Texas and elsewhere across the nation are noticing some distinct trends among today’s generation when it comes to divorce.  Millennial divorces may not involve as much property or debt to divide, but they nonetheless require the assistance of a skilled divorce lawyer.
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What is the best custody schedule for my child?

A parenting plan is a document created and agreed to by the parents of a minor child, and approved by the court, often during a divorce.  It governs the relationship between two parents regarding custody of the child.  Your parenting plan will be of critical importance to your child’s future and your life post-divorce.  Our Read more . . .

Who will keep the family house during my divorce?

For many divorcing spouses, the issue of who will keep what property is a matter of great importance.  You and your spouse may own property, retirement accounts, valuable furniture, and much more.  Understandably, you do not want to lose your valued property in a divorce.  In Texas, marital property will be divided equitably, which does not always mean equally.  Our Read more . . .