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If you are having trouble resolving custody issues, arbitration is another available resolution option. As with mediation, sometimes the courts order couples to arbitration to resolve their differences. How is arbitration different from mediation? Unlike mediation, where the mediator acts as a neutral third party and is not allowed to give opinions, the arbitrator’s job… Read More »

You can wind up in mediation to work out your disagreements with your spouse about child custody. The court can order you to mediation or you can choose it as an alternative to litigation. In fact, you can resolve divorce and all of its issues through mediation, if appropriate. The mediator’s role The mediator cannot… Read More »

Child custody is often a contested issue during divorce. When parents fight over who gets custody or terms of custody, courts can motion to use alternative dispute resolution procedures. A spouse can also enter a motion for alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Texas courts give special consideration to parent-child relationships and encourage amicable dispute resolutions. ADR… Read More »

Myths and opinions circulate from a variety of sources — news articles, surveys and interviews — about the effect of tough economic times on marriages. Financial stress is a known factor that adversely affects relationships. Couples fight over their incomes, their spouse’s spending habits, and a lack of the lifestyle they always wanted. Troubled finances… Read More »

As same-sex marriage moves into the national spotlight during presidential campaigns, you may be curious to know how Texas courts view same-sex marriage. Under the Texas Family Code, same-sex marriages are not legal. However, the issue has come up for review before the Texas judiciary various times: In 2010, The Statesman reported that Texas Attorney… Read More »

While divorce, annulment and void marriages all end a marriage, there are legal differences between the three. Divorce Divorce is appropriate for couples who were legally married and want to dissolve the marriage. Valid marriages under Texas law meet all legal requirements from the outset. Once the divorce is final, the courts still recognize that… Read More »

Under various circumstances, Texas courts can consider marriages to be void based on Texas Family Code Subchapter C. Declaring a Marriage Void. Consanguinity Consanguinity is the kinship or family relationship that people share. Consanguinity that makes a marriage void includes marriage to: A brother or sister, whole or half blood or by adoption An ancestor… Read More »

While divorce is the most common way of ending a marriage, annulment may be another option. Courts grant annulments under the following conditions: Underage. A party is between the ages of 16 and 18 and married without parental or guardian consent. Parents, managing conservators or guardians can request an annulment. Discretionary annulment for underage person…. Read More »

Dealing with paternity can involve complicated issues which add to the difficulty of understanding your legal rights. Who the father is in the eyes of the law may seem unclear. Some examples of paternity complications include: The mother is married to someone other than the biological father before the child is born Within 300 days… Read More »

In recent years, increasing numbers of unmarried couples have had children together. Consequently, paternity has become an issue, especially in relation to child custody and support matters. Texas has passed a number of laws to clarify and help resolve paternity issues. An Acknowledgement of Paternity (AOP) has the purpose of legally establishing parentage and is… Read More »