Protecting the Family You Built For many LGBTQ couples, family is not always defined by traditional legal structures. It may include unmarried partners, stepchildren, close friends who feel like family, or chosen family members who have become the people you rely on most. But when a medical emergency occurs, or someone passes away, those relationships …
Summer can bring changes to family routines, as school ends and vacation and custody schedules shift. June often highlights long-standing co-parenting issues, sometimes leading to a return to family court. Even if you feel frustrated, overwhelmed, or angry, the courtroom is not the place to vent, exaggerate, or attack the other parent. Judges pay close …
If you are in a Fort Worth divorce or custody case, understanding how parenting time works under a Standard Possession Order can be an important part of protecting your relationship with your child. Many parents are surprised that it does not automatically grant equal parenting time. Texas family law uses different terms than other states. …
A checklist to help you evaluate your financial security and protect your future. When you got married, you probably did not expect to question whether your finances were truly secure. But over time, some spouses begin to notice things that make them pause. You may not have access to certain accounts. Financial decisions may be …
You Are Not Alone. Schedule a Free Consultation Today Schedule a Free Consultation You and your spouse decide to live apart, whether as a trial run or the first move toward divorce. The day after you split into separate rooms or separate homes, the mortgage, the joint checking account, and your children’s schedule stay …
You Are Not Alone. Schedule a Free Consultation Today Schedule a Free Consultation The 10-Year Tax Inheritance Rule Explained When someone inherits money or property from a loved one, one of the first questions is often about taxes. Many people have heard of the “10-year inheritance tax rule” and assume it means all inherited assets …
You Are Not Alone. Schedule a Free Consultation Today Schedule a Free Consultation Can You Be Legally Married in San Antonio Without a Wedding Ceremony? Texas recognizes what is commonly called common law marriage, officially known as informal marriage under Texas law. If you and your partner have lived together in Texas as spouses, and …
Your home is more than an asset. It’s an emotional and financial decision that can have a significant impact on your future. In a military divorce, state law typically controls how property is divided, while federal law, particularly those affecting military benefits, will also influence how some assets are treated. Before deciding who keeps the …
You Are Not Alone. Schedule a Free Consultation Today Schedule a Free Consultation When Emotions Run High, the Stakes Are Even Higher Divorce doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It shows up in every corner of your life. And whether you expected it or not, no matter how “friendly” you’ve tried to keep it, divorce is …
What is a Standard Possession Order? A Standard Possession Order (SPO) is the default parenting schedule used in Texas that outlines when each parent spends time with the child after a divorce or custody case. Under Texas law, an SPO is presumed to be in the best interest of children aged three and older unless …
Should You Take the House or Retirement Money in a Divorce? Is it better to keep the house or take retirement assets in a divorce? It depends on your financial situation, your long-term goals, and your ability to maintain the asset. What seems equal on paper often isn’t in reality. What Feels Right Isn’t Always …
Co-Authored by Julia Stitely, Litigation Attorney with Melone Hatley, P.C. and Nicole Mueller, RN, BSN, NC-BC of Beacon Wellness Coaching with Nicole Family law is emotional work. There’s really no way around it. As divorce attorneys, we are expected to be the stoic strategists, negotiators, problem-solvers, and steady sources of guidance during our clients’ emotionally …
You Are Not Alone. Schedule a Free Consultation Today Schedule a Free Consultation How tuition, financial aid, and parenting agreements will affect college costs after divorce If you’re a divorced parent preparing to send your child to college, who pays for college, and how are these decisions made? Most states don’t automatically require parents to pay for …
You Are Not Alone. Schedule a Free Consultation Today Schedule a Free Consultation Custody in San Antonio is determined based on the child’s best interests, with Texas courts evaluating many different factors. If you are a parent going through a divorce or custody matter in San Antonio, one of the most important (and emotional) questions …
How an accurate valuation will shape everything from your settlement to your financial future You and your spouse are divorcing. And if you own a home, you will have to make some important decisions. Because your home is a marital asset, its value will need to be divided as part of the divorce process. This requires an understanding …
Just after midnight on April 16, 2026, police responded to a home in Annandale, Virginia, where they discovered that a couple involved in a contentious divorce had both died; the husband had shot his wife before taking his own life. Their two teenage children were home at the time. The husband was Justin Fairfax, 47, …
You Are Not Alone. Schedule a Free Consultation Today Schedule a Free Consultation Thoughtful, supportive ways to honor yourself, your role as a mother, and the life you’re building now Mother’s Day after divorce can feel…well…complicated. After a divorce, nothing feels the same. Instead of spending the day as a cohesive family, you’re now sharing parenting time …
You Are Not Alone. Schedule a Free Consultation Today Schedule a Free Consultation What You Need to Know About Dividing Property in a San Antonio, Texas Divorce If you are facing a divorce in San Antonio, you and your spouse will need to make many critical decisions, some of which have long-term financial consequences. One of the most …