Citizen information about Texas legislative and judicial updates to Texas Family Law.

Can I Date During My Divorce?

One of the often-debated topics involving divorce is dating.  It's a topic laden with various implications, especially when children are involved. Let's address the elephant in the room: dating during a divorce when children are part of the equation. Here's the crux—if you're vying for custody of your children, engaging in dating during the divorce can inadvertently create hurdles. It might send the message that your focus is divided, potentially affecting your credibility as a dedicated parent in the eyes of the court. Introducing a [...]

By |2024-01-02T12:25:03-06:00December 28, 2023|Categories: Family Law Updates|Tags: , |

Rules For Using Social Media During the Divorce Process

There are some important considerations for using social media during your divorce process.  Social media can have significant implications for your case. While as a rule, I would recommend not using social media during the divorce process, if you just can’t turn it off here are some rules that I recommend. Be Careful with What You Share: Social media can be a double-edged sword during a divorce. Anything you post can be used against you, so be cautious about sharing personal information, opinions, and photos. [...]

By |2024-01-02T12:25:04-06:00October 30, 2023|Categories: Family Law Updates|Tags: , |

Reimbursement of Assets at Divorce for Funds Spent from an Inheritance

Texas Legislature Passed New Law That Will Change How Inherited Assets Are Treated in a Divorce Originally posted June 1, 2023.  Updated June 28, 2023. The law was passed by the legislature and signed into law. It takes effect September 1, 2023.  Over the years, many clients have asked me if they can be paid back at divorce for assets they spent from their inheritance during the marriage. This would be called reimbursement. Inherited money is [...]

Spousal Maintenance and Alimony in Texas Family Law

Many people believe that, with the passage of the Texas Spousal Maintenance statute in 1995, we now have alimony in Texas. That is not the case. Spousal Maintenance is not “alimony” in the traditional sense and that is why it is not called alimony in Texas Family Law. We do have contractual alimony in Texas, which I will discuss later in this blog. Contractual alimony, as you can presume by its name, must be agreed to between the parties, a judge cannot order it. [...]

Required Disclosures in Texas Family Law

Texas Legislative Updates in the 87th Legislature that affect Texas Family Law In the 2020 Session, the Texas Legislature passed a law that requires all parties in suits filed after January 1, 2021, to provide certain information and documents to the other parties. Cases that were filed prior to January 1, 2021, are still governed by the old rule, which only requires this information be provided if properly requested in writing to a party. In 1999, the legislature overhauled the discovery process in Texas. As [...]

Facebook Divorce and Child Custody

Secret accounts, messages from strangers and reconnecting with old flames have all been made very easy with social media. Throughout my years as a paralegal, I have seen Facebook and social media as a factor in the demise of many relationships. Facebook Divorce Statistics According to FindLaw, “Information found on popular social networking sites has given divorce lawyers new tools in their divorce toolkits. Facebook and other sites are changing the legal landscape in divorce and child custody cases.” FindLaw reports that two-thirds of U.S. [...]

By |2018-04-04T16:05:21-05:00April 4, 2018|Categories: Family Law Updates, Children & Family|Tags: , , |

Divorce Property Division Settlements Are Not Always 50/50 in Texas Family Law

Texas Family Law does not mandate a 50/50 division of property in a divorce. Under Texas Family Law, the Court is charged with a duty to divide marital property in a manner that is “just and right.” Appellate Courts find in some divorces that 80/20 property division is “just and right.” Depending on the size of the estate, we see disproportionate property divisions falling in the range between 51 percent and 60 percent quite often. Under Texas Family Law, a divorcing spouse may be [...]

Child Custody Changes in the 85th Texas Legislature

The Texas Legislature closed the 2017 session on May 29. Several laws were passed that affect Texas Family Law. Here is one small – yet important – child custody change in the statute that governs modification of an order for the Conservatorship, Support, or Possession and Access to a Child. Temporary Orders in a Suit to Modify Primary Conservatorship What the new language states is that – in cases where no parent has been granted the exclusive right to determine the child’s primary residence (primary [...]

Child Custody Evaluation: Changes to Texas Family Law

Texas Family Law Changes in the 85th Texas Legislature The Texas Legislature closed its biannual session for 2017. Although a Special Session may be called by Governor Abbott, it will not affect any Family Law issues. The Legislature did pass several bills that impact Texas Family Law. Here is one. Child Custody Evaluation The statute dealing with Child Custody Evaluations was revised this year. A significant change now offers more protection to child custody evaluators from being liable for civil damages arising out of the [...]

Texas Family Law in the 84th Texas Legislature

84th Texas Legislature Begins January 13, 2015 The Texas Legislature will convene on Tuesday, January 13 and run through June 1, 2015. The Law Office of Chris A. Spofford will watch the topics related to Texas Family Law and provide legislative updates and insight to our friends and clients about the 2015 Texas legislative session. As always, it is our commitment to be proactive in protecting our clients’ interests under Texas Family Law, which will continually evolve at the legislature and in the courts.

By |2014-12-29T09:00:28-06:00December 29, 2014|Categories: Family Law Updates|Tags: , |
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