Are You Common Law Married?
On a recent night out ecstatically dipping a toe into post-pandemic night life in Austin, I heard a person describe himself as “common law married,” which piqued my curiosity. I wondered what he meant by that because, after a decade of being a divorce lawyer in...
It’s April – Time to Decipher the Summer Provisions of Your Divorce Decree
With April 15 approaching, Texas divorced parents have more than taxes on their mind. If your divorce decree incorporates the Texas Family Code Standard Possession Order, April means it is time to designate your summer possession schedule. This month, I keep a...
Freedom Lies in Being Bold (But Also in Getting Vaccinated)
When I received my second COVID-19 vaccine this month, I immediately nailed down plans for travel over the next months. I am waiting 28 days from my second vaccine, and then I am getting on a plane and going to the beach. It has been one year of stay-at-home. I have...
A Custody Lawyer’s Review of Allen v. Farrow
The documentary television miniseries Allen v. Farrow explores Dylan Farrow’s 1992 accusations that she was sexually abused by her father, Woody Allen, when she was 7 years old, and the resulting custody and criminal cases. In four hour-long episodes, airing on HBO,...
Divorce Grief is Real; Here’s How to Get Through It
No matter the side of the coin you find yourself, strong feelings and emotions are unavoidable while divorcing. At times, you will experience feeling not yourself, unsteady, and angry (among other strong feelings!) as you navigate toward the beautiful life that is...
See You in The Cloud
We have turned in the keys today to our long-time office space at The Enclave on Camp Craft Road. I just walked through the empty office and drove away from the office building that housed our law practice for the last 12 years. We looked at many options for new...
I Lost My Job! Can I Skip My Child Support Payments?
Job loss is unfortunately a reality for many millions of Americans right now. Depending on your field of employment, you may not be able to find a new job right away, you may have to take a job that pays you less, or you may be receiving unemployment (a fraction of...
It’s Time To Make A Change
2020 is over; a new year has begun, but the pandemic rages, and we are all waiting to be let free. And even though we are at the dawn of vaccinations, there are still so many unknowns as to when we will be “post-pandemic.” We are in the 11th month of stay-at-home. It...
Child Support Alert – No Garnishment from Second Federal Stimulus for Past-Due Child Support
If you were behind on your child support payments and you were issued federal stimulus funds during the first stimulus in 2020, you may not have received the full, or any, stimulus issued to you because the State of Texas had the right to garnish from the stimulus any...
Looks Like Stella Got Her Groove Back
WE DID IT!! We made it to the end of the work year! The day we close our office for the year is always such an exciting and meaningful day, and this year it is especially so. I think we all deserve a pat on the back for making it to this day. In 2020, we took on the...