Dallas Family Law Blog

For the average Texan, a divorce can finalize a long and grueling period of discontent. It can also signal the beginning of a long and challenging road ahead. While these sentiments are often true among the divorces of celebrities, the lives they live as a whole often make marital dissolutions more complex. How expensive can celebrity divorces really be, and can the average, working-class couple learn anything about the divorce stories of the famous? 

Business Insider is quick to inform readers that celebrity marital break-ups are no small matter. In fact, some of the most expensive celebrity divorces cost tens of millions, and in some cases, even more. Cofounders of Black Entertainment Television Bob and Sheila Johnson, for example, involved the divorce of billionaires; Sheila Johnson walked away with $400 million. The most expensive celebrity divorce, however, was between Alec and Jocelyn Wildenstein in 1999, resulting in $3.8 billion.

You may be one of those people who are fascinated by the rich and famous. When royalty announces an engagement, the press may inquire aloud whether the couple will sign a prenuptial agreement. When a celebrity marriage breaks up, the first questions often concern the existence and validity of a prenup.

However, prenuptial agreements are not exclusively for actors and princesses. You may be surprised to learn that many ordinary people find such contracts a comforting and stabilizing factor in their relationships. If you are considering getting married, there may be numerous reasons why a prenuptial agreement may benefit you.

When you get married in Texas, your new wife may have children from a previous marriage. In some situations, you may want to adopt these children. We at Lisa E. McKnight, PC, understand you usually have many questions about this process.

There are a few things you usually need to take into consideration when you want to adopt your stepchildren. FindLaw says that you typically need the consent of the children's birth father. Once this parent gives his consent, he usually terminates his parental rights. While some fathers may not be willing to give this consent, others may realize that the adoption will be good for the children. Sometimes you may need to go through several home visits so a court can determine that adoption is truly in the best interests of your stepchildren.

When Texas residents get a divorce, they are typically still involved in their children's lives. It is important for fathers to understand how they and their ex-spouse can effectively co-parent and create a positive environment for their children.

One important aspect of co-parenting is communication. According to U.S. News, fathers should usually communicate frequently with their ex-spouses, and it is generally best if they are open with each other. Some people may want to send emails when they learn important information about their children's school schedules and extracurricular activities. Sometimes it might be beneficial to meet weekly or speak on the telephone so ex-spouses are always on the same page.