Posted by Mary E. Ramos | Adoption, LGBT
There’s a quiet kind of courage that lives in the decision to start a family. However, for many LGBTQ+ couples in Texas, that decision comes with a legal question wrapped in uncertainty: Can same sex couples adopt here? Same sex adoption is legal in Texas, but the road can be steeper and narrower than it …
Posted by Mary E. Ramos | Child Custody
The internet is a never-ending-fountain of advice, friends are offering personal anecdotes, and the weight of your child’s future rests squarely on your shoulders. Amidst this whirlwind of information surrounding your Texas child custody situation, one crucial question likely echoes in your mind: Do I actually need a lawyer for child custody disputes? Before you …
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Posted by Mary E. Ramos | Divorce
You didn’t get married thinking about courtrooms and custody orders. But here you are, Googling Texas divorce laws at 2:00 a.m., wondering what hoops the state wants you to jump through before you can walk away for good. So let’s get to the point. Do you have to be separated before divorce in Texas? No. …
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Posted by Mary E. Ramos | Divorce
Divorce is a matter of law—a legal issue that must involve a judge—and there are legal protections intended to prevent unjust financial outcomes to the proceeding. In Texas, one of these protections in is alimony or spousal maintenance, which protects against one spouse from suffering from extreme economic hardship after the divorce. Under Texas law, …
Posted by Mary E. Ramos | Uncontested Divorce
In an uncontested divorce, you and your spouse have to agree on everything. That type of agreement might be easy when you are discussing shares of a bank account or who gets the sedan, but what happens when you are getting an uncontested divorce with kids? The process can still be simpler and quicker than …
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Posted by Mary E. Ramos | Divorce
Divorce means significant change, and can be challenging in the short term but often for the best in the long term. Even so, financial concerns intimidate some from pursuing long-term happiness. So, how much does it cost to get divorced? There is no easy formula for estimating the cost of a divorce. Expenses vary depending …
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Posted by Mary E. Ramos | Family Law
Annulment is a divorce alternative available only in limited circumstances. It declares that, for legal purposes, the marriage never occurred. Given the limited situations when you can have a marriage annulled, many wonder about the impact from the passage of time. How long can you be married and still get an annulment? In short, the …
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Posted by Mary E. Ramos | Divorce, General
Texas recognizes an informal marriage, or what is often called a common law marriage, in very limited circumstances. Simply living together, sharing a residence, or even having children together is not enough to create to a common law marriage, regardless of how long you have been a couple. Several specific factors must be met in order to create an informal marriage under the Texas Family Code: 1. A man and a woman, neither of whom are married to anyone else and who are over the age of eighteen,
Posted by Mary E. Ramos | Child Custody, Family Law
Fighting for full custody of your child can feel stressful and uncertain because so much is at stake. If you want to know how to get full custody in Texas, you may be confused about the legal process and unsure of what courts require to make a decision in your favor. Understanding the process, what …
Posted by Mary E. Ramos | Divorce, Family Law
Going through a divorce can bring many uncertainties, especially when you’re trying to figure out your financial future. Many people wonder, How long does alimony last after a divorce in Texas? The answer depends on several factors, including the length of your marriage, the financial situation of both spouses, and the court’s decision. Understanding these …
