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Dallas Divorce Law Blog

Mediators can offer sensible alternative to court

Many people who contact mediators don't necessarily understand what mediators do and how they can help in the divorce process. As a Huffington Post article notes, divorce mediation has been rightly pegged as a sensible alternative to disputes resolved in court. It's just that many people don't know all that much about it.

Mediators can help settle people's disputes with little involvement from the court. The idea is for the impartial third party to provide an environment that is free of tension or friction. A non-confrontational atmosphere is key in aiding people in reaching their goal of settling a dispute.

Are Best Actress Oscar winners in need of premarital agreements?

Winning an Oscar is every actor's dream come true. Achieving such success early in life, however, can be a set-up for a letdown, and there is a surprising link between Best Actress winners and the rates of divorce. So much so, in fact, that women who achieve such success might be well-served by arranging for premarital agreements.

With the Oscars scheduled for later this month, a Forbes article noted research that took a look back - way back - at the apparent trend. But even looking at the winners of the last few years, including Sandra Bullock, Kate Winslet and Hilary Swank, who have all divorced their spouses, it is easy to see the connection.

Think those Facebook posts are harmless? Think again

When people file for divorce in Texas, it may not occur to them that their past Facebook posts can be used against them, or that such posts can be used against a spouse. But several instances across the nation show that it can and does happen.

While using Facebook as evidence can be more common in child custody cases than divorce cases, it can apply to all kinds of family law disputes.

New stalking law in Texas could help curb domestic violence

More than 3.4 million people are stalked each year, and such behavior sometimes leads to domestic violence. January is Stalking Awareness Month, and many agencies and advocacy groups are hoping to highlight the problem.

The subject has been in the news anyway because of a new stalking law in Texas. The new legislation, enacted last September, is designed to redefine stalking to better protect victims of potential violence.

Sanders' prenuptial agreement requires purchase of big home

When two people in Texas decide to get a divorce, a premarital agreement in place can make their division of assets fairly predictable. For former NFL star Deion Sanders, that means he may have to pay a large sum for a home for his ex-wife.

Sanders and his wife, Pilar, were married for 12 years and announced their impending divorce late last year. Sanders, known as "Prime Time" to many of his fans, announced the split on Facebook. According to various reports, as a stipulation of their prenuptial agreement, Sanders will be required to provide his estranged spouse with funds worth half of the value of their home. In other words, he will be paying a lot of money for her new home.

Many ring in the new year with a divorce

January is the time for resolutions. A common theory is that it's a popular time for divorces. As it turns out, the numbers back up the theory.

One certified divorce consultant says that the first month of the year is indeed when attorneys see the most divorce filings. As the temperatures plunge, divorce rates surge, so much so that some in the industry have dubbed January "divorce month."

What happens if Brand and Perry had no premarital agreement?

It can be important for people with high incomes and numerous assets to make use of premarital agreements. The absence of such agreements can lead a person to pay their estranged spouse a huge divorce settlement.

That scenario can happen with high-profile celebrities, for example. After months of rumors, Russell Brand and Katy Perry recently announced they are divorcing after 14 months of marriage.

Crime novelist in plot to hire hit man to kill estranged husband

When a couple decides to divorce, it can get complicated, particularly if adultery is involved. Some couples prefer to remain "estranged" in the same household, particularly if finances are tight. In Texas, one married couple's break-up involved all of the above, and it ended with an arrest.

Their story made headlines across the state recently. The wife, a crime novelist who penned a book called "Temporary Amnesia," was arrested after apparently hiring a hit man to kill her estranged husband.

With unemployment, divorce rate goes down, domestic violence up

The sour economy and high unemployment rate has implications beyond the pocketbook. In terms of families, unemployment can cause major tension and strife. Interestingly, it does not affect the divorce rate the way you may think.

According to NPR, research shows that unemployment causes rifts within families. One study shows that more than a fifth of Americans out of work for a year say that their intimate relationships changed for the worse. At the same time, however, for every 1 percent increase in unemployment, there is a 1 percent decrease in the divorce rate.

Grandparents raising kids sometimes struggle with extra costs

Some children have close relationships with their grandparents. Others live across the country, and it's a special treat to see them at holidays. Still others, in a much smaller group, are raised by their grandparents.

When grandparents get custody of their grandchildren, it's often because their own son or daughter is having trouble raising kids on their own. But not all grandparents retire early and have money tucked away. Some have trouble making ends meet themselves, and it can put a pinch on finances when it comes to "extras."

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