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A Professional Athlete’s Playbook to Divorce

When you’re a pro athlete or other celebrity, your career focus can easily lead to family issues, including divorce. Every high profile person headed for divorce should keep a few special considerations in mind to protect their privacy and help bring about the best possible result.

If you’re in this situation, see what you need to know here in this divorce playbook by Ramos Law Group.

Division of Property in Texas

Texas is a community property state, so any earning or endorsement deals secured prior to marriage are separate property and not subject to a just and right division by the family law court system. However, earnings or assets acquired after marriage are subject to division. If you are divorcing as a professional athlete, it’s vital to have a skilled legal team who can help protect your assets and get the best property division agreement as possible.

The State of Texas does not recognize the term “alimony”. The support mechanism the courts do use – “post-divorce maintenance” – is limited in scope and duration. This can be a very good thing for high-profile professionals, as one consideration in your divorce playbook should be to minimize spousal maintenance owed.

The amount of support, if any is ordered, is typically capped and limited for a specific period of time, dependent on the length of the marriage. The shorter the marriage, the shorter amount of time that support may be ordered. Post-divorce maintenance is also less likely to be awarded if there is a sizeable property settlement.

Professional athletes typically do not just earn a single paycheck. There are complicated salary structures which include weekly game checks, signing bonuses, performance bonuses, endorsement deal payments, etc. It can be difficult to ascertain the exact earnings of a professional athlete, as well as establish what money is community and what money is separate. The qualified team at Ramos Law Group, PLLC can help. Make a consultation the first step of your divorce playbook.

Another silver lining in the Texas divorce process for professional athletes is that the mandatory waiting period for a divorce to be granted is quite short compared to other states. Some states require a lengthy period of legal separation before a divorce may be granted. The State of Texas only requires 60 days from the date of filing until the divorce may be filed. This short period allows for an amicable divorce or agreed upon settlement be reached quickly (assuming the parties have an agreement) and a divorce can be completed in a little over two months.

Child Issues

Another thing that differentiates getting a divorce in Texas from divorce in other states is that the Texas Family Code has capped the amount of child support. There is a percentage based on the number of children, but only the first $9,200 of a player’s monthly net income is considered for child calculation purposes.

Now, if you’re Tom Brady, it is likely that the needs of a child would exceed the normal guideline amounts and there are circumstances where a judge will order above-guideline child support amounts. But the Texas Family Code does have the child support guidelines in place and one does not typically see the enormous child support obligations in Texas that are ordered in states like New York or California.

Professional athletes building their divorce playbook will want to focus on their game and season and not have their divorce play out publicly in the press. Typically, family law cases are public record. The Texas Family Code allows for a litigant to file a Motion to Seal which can grant some anonymity to a high-profile athlete.

Work With Expert Attorneys

The Ramos Law Group, PLLC has a history of representing well-known and respected professional athletes, including NFL players. Mary Ramos and her associates are knowledgeable with a deep playbook and are well-equipped to handle any of the special concerns that come with a professional athlete going through a divorce in Texas.

Contact us today to schedule your consultation.

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Our Client Testimonials

Superb Law Firm

The decision to end my 25-year marriage was not an easy one, but hiring the Ramos Law Group was. From the initial consultation to the execution of the Divorce Decree everyone at the firm displayed the utmost professionalism and I was treated as if I was their only client. My attorney Lindsey, always provided precise legal guidance, was usually one step ahead of the opposing counsel, and had a superb understanding of how things would play out in the court room. Additionally, whenever my case needed a little extra horsepower, Mary provided that "surge" to keep things on track.

Worth Every Penny

"Ms. Ramos and her entire staff worked with professionalism and compassion to guide me through the most difficult time of my life and to an outcome that was best for my family and myself. Ramos Law is incredible and I highly, highly recommend their services."

Custody case won

"I was recommended to see Mary Ramos for my on coming custody case,it was the best thing I could've done honestly.The Ramos law group was quick with emailed responses and telephone calls,informative with ANY questions I had and they also took action with what they thought would work,which it did,I had money troubles and they were still willing to help they sent me with a younger lawyer Lindsey Lewis to help save some money and she was the best!She knew what she was doing and Mary was still on my case to make sure things went smoothly and to catch any details Lindsey and I might have missed.All in all I am a very satisfied client and if I ever needed a family lawyer again I would come back.My case was won as I received primary for my daughter which is exactly what I asked for.If you're willing to listen to what they have to say and follow their guidance they're definitely worth hiring.I thought I wanted sole custody for my daughter and they explained that wasn't in the best interest for her and honestly they were right,they speak to you on a professional level and also a real level of how things are actually going to work and what could happen if you take a certain action.They definitely care about their clients and make their own bond with you,you're not just money in their pockets you turn into family. "

Divorce Attorney

"I received excellent advice and representation from Ms. Lindsey Lewis. She kept me updated at every step of the process, and I never felt as if my case was set aside. I would hire The Ramos Law Group in the future. "

Highly recommend

"I started my divorce with a lawyer who was not very responsive. My divorce case was complicated and needed more laborious scrutiny. Since the case was not moving forward I had to switch lawyers. Made the switch to Ramos Law group. Since the very first day Mary and her team have been very efficient and meticulous. Since the case was complicated the team had to go through myriads of pages in discovery. I was pleased with the legal team that helped us handle the paperwork in a very timely manner. All my questions were answered very promptly. The relay of information was easy with their software system. We finally had a law firm that we could trust. My divorce was finalized and I only have Mary and her team to thank for going through a difficult divorce. I would highly recommend the Ramos law group for their help and support for getting my life back on track. "

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