Plano Family Law Blog

The benefits of co-parenting

On behalf of Luke Gunnstaks of Gunnstaks Law Office posted in Child Custody on Sunday, August 12, 2018.

When parents in Texas decide to end a marriage, the biggest concern is often the custody of the children. Traditionally, primary custody was often awarded to the mother. However, these days, shared parenting or co-parenting is becoming a popular child custody agreement among parents, and many states have already passed statutes favoring 50/50 periods of possession, which trend seems to be continuing. By co-parenting, children can spend equal time with both parents, which can have positive effects on emotional and psychological health.

Contrary to popular belief, divorce does not have to have a negative impact on children. However, in order for co-parenting to work, parents must work together. When it comes to discipline, parents must support each other and be consistent with discipline techniques. Just as in marriage, communication is key in co-parenting. Parenting issues will inevitably arise, so effective and respectful communication between parents will have tremendous benefits for children.

Starting over after a divorce can be costly

On behalf of Luke Gunnstaks of Gunnstaks Law Office on Saturday, August 11, 2018.

It doesn't matter how much money you have. When you divorce, it makes an impact on finances. Depending on how your settlement negotiations progress, you could find yourself starting over.

Looking for a new place to live, trying to make up for a diminished retirement account and living on just one income are reasons enough to make anyone concerned. When negotiating your divorce settlement, you may want to keep in mind everything you will need to pay for within a short time after your divorce. This could help you determine what it is you need in order to move forward.

Considering returning to school after divorce?

On behalf of Luke Gunnstaks of Gunnstaks Law Office posted in Family Law on Tuesday, July 31, 2018.

A generation or two ago, it was common for women to drop out of college to start a family, even as the men finished their degree and went to work. More recently, some spouses (either father or mother) put their career on hold to raise a family. Whatever the reasons, many are finding it necessary or desirable to return to school to get an advanced degree or updated training needed for a new job. Some divorces settlements will make special accommodations to spouses going back to school. You may wish to consult with an experienced Board-certified Family Law expert attorney in regard to your legal options before your final decree of divorce has been signed by the Court.

Five tips that you can adapt to fit your needs and goals as an adult student:

What to do when an ex denies visitation rights

On behalf of Luke Gunnstaks of Gunnstaks Law Office on Sunday, July 29, 2018.

When divorce results in separation from your children, it can be a painful struggle to keep your parental bond strong. You need to take advantage of every minute you have together, and the courts generally recognize how important this is. In many cases these days, family law judges favor an equitable division of parenting time, encouraging parents to negotiate their own schedules if possible.

In rare instances, such as in cases of violence or substance abuse, a Texas judge may deny or restrict a parent visitation. More often, however, instead of outright denial, a judge will order supervised visitation, with clear stipulations about where, when and under what circumstances the parent will be with the child. However, if your custody issues were resolved with a fair schedule of visitation, you may still be frustrated by the other parent's attempts to keep you from your children.

Will my divorce become a public record?

On behalf of Luke Gunnstaks of Gunnstaks Law Office posted in Divorce on Monday, July 23, 2018.

Divorce is one of the most painful experiences that anyone can go through. The unpleasant task of discussing such private issues as finances, personal behavior around your family and details that are even more intimate can be very stressful.

In the U.S., however, the court proceedings are a matter of public record. The idea is that by keeping court records public, our legal system is constantly being held accountable. You will need a compelling reason for your records to be suppressed; if you can't provide one, your nosy neighbor, the local newspaper, and anyone else can all have access to the details.

Your commute could be ruining your marriage

On behalf of Luke Gunnstaks of Gunnstaks Law Office posted in Divorce on Wednesday, July 18, 2018.

Everyone complains about traffic when it gets bad, but it actually more than just an inconvenience. Dallas-Fort Worth-area metroplex made the top-10 worst commutes in the country. We made it in length of the commute (No. 5 with 54.95 minutes) as well as the stress level (No. 7) with Austin ranking third and Houston ranking sixth. This is according to a recent study commissioned by the staffing firm Robert Half, which collected data from more than 2,700 workers in 27 U.S. markets.

This is the price we pay to earn a living and live in this wonderful area that continues to thrive and draw new residents. But the stress and frustration of being in the car can have a deep effect on your personal life as well.

Avoid these behaviors during a high-asset divorce

On behalf of Luke Gunnstaks of Gunnstaks Law Office on Monday, July 16, 2018.

Going through the end of a marriage can be a stressful and intimidating process, and the outcome of the situation can have an impact on your life in various ways. If you and your spouse have made the decision to take separate paths, you might wish to know about how the process will impact your financial future.

Regardless of the level of wealth involved, the division of assets will inherently affect your finances. However, if you and your spouse possess a considerable amount of wealth, knowing how to best approach the subsequent process could prove even more essential.

Divorce and digital assets: Protect your interests for the future

On behalf of Luke Gunnstaks of Gunnstaks Law Office on Monday, July 16, 2018.

Divorce can have a significant impact on various areas of your life, including property interests. Before you marry, it can be prudent to think about how you can secure your assets in case of a divorce. It could be beneficial for you to seek the full protection of your future interests through a prenuptial agreement.

Prenuptial agreements are specific to your needs and your objectives. It is possible to custom-tailor these documents to your goals, and it is becoming more important now to include unseen assets and digital property. Your unseen assets can be just as valuable as real property, and you would be wise to take steps to protect them.

Scorched earth divorces come at a cost

On behalf of Luke Gunnstaks of Gunnstaks Law Office posted in Divorce on Thursday, July 12, 2018.

Divorce comes at a price. There is the emotional toll of the couple whose marriage falls apart, which can leave feelings on a spectrum from anger, frustration, and sadness to relief and even JOY. There are also the legal and financial issues to consider as the once-romantic partnership is dissolved and the estate is divided. Ideally, the couple can see eye-to-eye or negotiate their way to a fair and equitable settlement, but sometimes that is not possible. If that is the case, it can end up costing couples even more money.

An extreme example of this is a New York City hedge-fund manager and his wife. A New York appellate court judge has ordered Remy Trafalent to pay $4.1 million in advance of a court battle with his wife, Lara. The couple's estate is estimated to be worth $200 million. This huge sum, due to a complex financial portfolio, necessitates a high level of analysis involving valuation, accounting and legal issues. It will come with a team of financial experts, attorneys, accountants and experts on the value of property, art and other pieces of the estate.

Coparenting after divorce presents many challenges

On behalf of Luke Gunnstaks of Gunnstaks Law Office posted in Family Law on Tuesday, July 3, 2018.

You divorced your ex-spouse for a reason. But even before the divorce is final, it is abundantly clear that parenting plans mean that you will still have to work together to successfully raise happy and healthy children.

Not only is it possible, but it is even likely that you and your spouse did not see eye-to-eye on the rules. Ideally you agreed on the the big or important things, but perhaps each of you had a different parenting style. Many concessions were made during the marriage to not send too many mixed signals to your child(ren), but now with two homes' things can move further in apart.