Texas divorcees should make sure that their beneficiary designations and other estate planning documents have been revised if they do not want an ex-spouse as a beneficiary. It is not uncommon for people to sign a divorce decree in which the spouse agrees to relinquish certain assets but forget to remove the spouse from those assets. In at least one court case, a court ruled that the divorce decree in which a man left his life insurance policy to his daughter overruled the beneficiary designation that still named his uncle. However, the process of correcting this type of error can be a long and expensive one.
Dispelling some common myths about noncustodial parents
When parents separate, children typically live in one home and visit the other. Because these children spend most of their time with one parent, noncustodial parents are the subject of many myths that are not true across the board. Rather than judging a noncustodial mother or father based solely on the fact their children don't live with them full-time, it's important to look at each situation individually. Many noncustodial parents in Texas are very involved with their children.
Common mistakes to avoid in a divorce
There are a number of mistakes people in Texas who are getting a divorce might want to make sure they avoid. Often, those mistakes are driven by emotion. For example, a person might agree to unfavorable divorce terms because of feeling guilty or because of a desire to get the divorce over with quickly. Anger can lead people to try to seek revenge during the process, and this can mean a longer and more costly divorce.
Does having separate bank accounts prevent divorce?
Traditionally, marriage means merging two separate lives into one shared life. In the past, this included sharing most things - home, car, bank account, credit cards, maybe even each other's socks.
Preventing financial errors during divorce negotiations
Negotiating a divorce settlement is a complex process, as many Texas residents have discovered, that can sometimes lead to preventable errors with serious financial consequences post-divorce. However, beginning the negotiation process with knowledge about their own financial position and some financial education can be a significant help in avoiding some of the potential mistakes.
Assets you don't want to overlook as you prepare for divorce
You remember your first date and your wedding day. Those were happy times. You and your spouse got along well and enjoyed each other's company. You were both happy and shared dreams. The two of you created goals and built a life together.
9 ways to combat parental alienation
While there is some debate over whether parental alienation is truly a psychological condition, no one doubts its harmful effects on parent-child relationships. When one parent attempts to undermine the other by emotionally manipulating children to turn against the other, the situation can spiral out of control if not handled properly.
Fathers can seek full custody of their children in court
Although many Texas parents believe that the courts will not grant fathers full custody of their children, this is not the case. While it is true that courts generally prefer for parents to share custody in at least some form, there are situations where the court may decide that it is in the children's best interests to give sole custody to their fathers.
