Recent Posts in Divorce Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 29-Mar-2021 What Happens if My Spouse Won't Sign the Divorce Papers? If you want to end your marriage, nothing can prevent it, even if your spouse refuses to sign the divorce papers. Although an uncooperative spouse can certainly complicate matters and create some delays, you can still ultimately divorce your spouse ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 9-Mar-2021 Helping Your Kids Cope with a High Conflict Divorce Divorce is difficult for anyone to navigate, but it is especially troubling for children. If you and your spouse are engaged in a high conflict divorce and you are concerned about the impact it may have on your kids, there are steps you can take to ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 2-Mar-2021 How is Child Custody Determined? Despite a couple’s best efforts, sometimes a marriage ultimately cannot survive. If you have children, this will make matters even more challenging for your family since, for many, child custody is one of the most contentious issues. ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 28-Feb-2021 The Difference Between Separate Property and Community Property When spouses get divorced, they must go through the arduous process of dividing their property and assets. Texas is a community property state, which means that all community property, such as money, investments, real estate, and businesses must be ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 9-Feb-2021 Child Custody Mistakes You Need to Avoid Child custody matters are some of the most sensitive any family will face. Given the emotional nature of such cases, it is easy for emotions to get the best of anyone, which is often how mistakes are made. To avoid making a costly mistake, it is ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 2-Feb-2021 How Are Debts Divided in a Divorce? In addition to dividing assets and property in a divorce, debts must be divided as well. Generally, both spouses are liable for debts incurred while they were married, regardless of whose name is attached to the debt. However, things can get ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 31-Jan-2021 What Will Happen to My Business During a Divorce? If you have a business, it will likely have to be divided during the divorce process, much like any other marital asset in a divorce. Texas is a community property state, which means that assets are divided as equally as possible. Considering how ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 18-Jan-2021 Recognizing the Signs of Parental Alienation If you have children and recently divorced your spouse or are still fielding your way through the process, you know how hard it can be and the toll it takes on your family. In some cases, a parent may attempt to turn the children against their other ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 12-Jan-2021 What Happens if My Spouse is Hiding Assets? During the divorce process, both spouses are required to disclose all financial assets and debts. Full and honest disclosure is essential to ensuring all marital property is appropriately divided, so if your spouse is hiding assets, this is a major ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 3-Jan-2021 Is Spousal Maintenance Automatic in Texas? During a divorce, it is common for a judge to order spousal maintenance to ensure that the other spouse does not suddenly become destitute and unable to maintain a certain standard of living as a result of the split. However, while it is common, it ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 2-Jul-2020 Why Hiding Assets During Divorce is Never a Good Idea Although you might anticipate an ugly divorce, our experienced lawyers at the Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny know firsthand that it’s never a good idea to attempt to hide assets that you hope to keep away from your ex. Not only is it unethical ... Continue Reading Posted By Kathryn Marteeny 22-Jun-2020 How Can I Keep My House in a Divorce? Anxiety and divorce go hand-in-hand. Uncertainty about the future, life, and – of course – property go right along with the whole experience. Often, people worry about what they can keep or what they will lose, especially when it comes to ... Continue Reading Posted By Kathryn Marteeny 9-Jun-2020 Can Domestic Violence Charges Affect My Divorce? Domestic violence is a terrible reality, but it is a reality. The damage and trauma experienced by both parties will have lasting consequences. Having a domestic violence charge will cause a ripple effect in the accused’s life. Divorce rulings, ... Continue Reading Posted By Kathryn Marteeny 3-Jun-2020 Do I Need To Establish Paternity To Receive Child Support? Traditional gender roles are changing across the world, and the Lone Star State is no exception. Not too long ago, it was highly unusual to think of a mother paying child support to a father. Today’s world works differently. Men aren’t ... Continue Reading Posted By Kathryn Marteeny 20-May-2020 When Can I Modify a Spousal Support Agreement? Spousal support, or spousal maintenance, is a touchy subject. It may feel punitive to the responsible party. Perhaps life has changed significantly, and it’s become unreasonable to expect original agreements be kept. When is it time to ... Continue Reading Posted By Kathryn Marteeny 14-May-2020 5 Tips for Visitation During COVID-19 Child custody and visitations are sensitive subjects at the best of times. With the global pandemic raging on, the subject becomes downright scary. We all want to keep our kids safe, but we also want to make sure we’re being fair when it comes ... Continue Reading Posted By Kathryn Marteeny 4-May-2020 When Can I Modify a Spousal Support Agreement? Spousal support, or spousal maintenance, is a touchy subject. It may feel punitive to the responsible party. Perhaps life has changed significantly, and it’s become unreasonable to expect original agreements be kept. When is it time to ... Continue Reading Posted By Kathryn Marteeny 8-Apr-2020 How Much Will My Divorce Cost? Budgeting for Divorce Divorce can be notoriously expensive. The average divorce in the US costs around $15,000, and that amount can increase exponentially based on the circumstances of the divorce. Understanding common costs associated with divorce can help you manage ... Continue Reading Posted By Kathryn Marteeny 2-Apr-2020 Millennials Are Divorcing Less-at Least, We Think They Are According to various recent divorce statistics, millennials are divorcing less than previous generations—or are they? People love to throw out statistics like "50% of marriages end in divorce." The truth is, figuring out an accurate ... Continue Reading Posted By The Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 11-Feb-2020 Temporary Spousal Support in Texas As part of the divorce process in Texas, ex-spouses may need to engage in a spousal support arrangement so that all parties involved can exit the divorce gracefully. At the Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny, our Houston-based legal team will work with ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 29-Jan-2020 Is Divorce Mediation Right for Me? There are many ways to end a marriage, many of which can keep you and your spouse outside of the courtroom, minimizing the potential for a nasty and drawn-out legal battle. Among these alternative approaches to divorce is mediation, which is ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 15-Jan-2020 What You Need to Know About Post-Divorce Modification The results of your divorce are not permanent. Life constantly changes and evolves and, if these shifts are substantial enough, you may be able to successfully modify the terms of your divorce decree. Generally, you cannot modify property or asset ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 26-Dec-2019 Can I Reduce My Alimony Payments? No one is ever happy about having to make regular alimony payments to their former spouse. However, you cannot reduce them simply because it is frustrating. On the other hand, if your circumstances changed substantially, it is possible that a judge ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 18-Dec-2019 Caring for Yourself During and After a Divorce The divorce process can take a substantial toll on a person and, even once it is finalized, a considerable amount of self-care is necessary to heal and recover. Whether you are still in the middle of a family law dispute or you already finalized your ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 11-Dec-2019 What Can I Do if My Ex Refuses to Pay Child Support? Raising children is a major undertaking that requires the support, emotional and financial, of both parents. If you are the custodial parent, it is your co-parent’s obligation to make regular child support payments and it is an issue that ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 4-Dec-2019 Preparing for Your Child Custody Hearing For parents, nothing is more important than being part of your children’s lives, which is why a child custody dispute is often difficult for parents to process and cope with. With emotions and tensions at an all-time high, it is easy to make a ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 26-Nov-2019 Surviving Thanksgiving as a Newly Divorced Parent If you recently finalized your divorce, getting through the holiday season probably seems like an impossible task, especially if your children cannot join you at the dinner table for Thanksgiving this year. Given how family-centric this holiday is, ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 20-Nov-2019 Do I Need to Have a QDRO When I Get Divorced? If you are getting a divorce, you might be looking into the process, trying to get a better idea of the steps involved. During your quest for answers, you likely came across the term Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO). A QDRO is essentially a ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 13-Nov-2019 How to Make Your Divorce Less Painful It is no secret that the divorce process is often painful and challenging, especially if you and your spouse spent a substantial amount of years together. However, there are ways for you to reduce pain and conflict, so you can both walk away ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 6-Nov-2019 Creating Consistent Rules for Your Children After a Divorce After a divorce, you and your former spouse will divide your time with the children and, although you will have two separate households, you must work together to maintain consistent rules. Consistent routines will help your children feel safe and ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 29-Oct-2019 5 Tips for Handling a Disneyland Parent A Disneyland parent is essentially a parent who rarely enforces household rules, showers the children with extravagant gifts, and shirks most parental responsibilities to earn their favor. If your co-parent is a Disneyland parent, you might worry you ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 22-Oct-2019 Preparing for the Coming Holiday Season After Divorce Although it might be a little too early to plan out your Thanksgiving dinner, it is not too early for you to consider how you will handle the holiday season now that you are recently divorced, especially if you have children. Your parenting plan ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 8-Oct-2019 Will Wasteful Dissipation Affect My Divorce? It is no secret that divorce can get a little messy and spouses might not always play nice once they begin the process of dissolving their marriage, especially when it comes to dividing assets. You might have even heard of the term “wasteful ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 16-Sep-2019 Will a Judge Consider a Child's Preference in a Custody Case? Going through a contested child custody dispute is one of the most difficult experiences most parents will ever endure. Contrary to what some believe, however, your children cannot decide which parent they will live with in the aftermath of a divorce ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 10-Sep-2019 Rebuilding Trust with Your Co-Parent If you and your former spouse have children, you still need to remain in each other’s lives as co-parents. However, sometimes the divorce process can severely impact this relationship and make it difficult to work as a team. For the benefit of ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 3-Sep-2019 How to Live with Your Spouse During Your Divorce Oftentimes, it is impractical and even ill-advised to move out of the marital home before a divorce is finalized, particularly if you have children. If money is tight, trying to essentially manage two households can seriously eat into your resources, ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 29-Aug-2019 Avoid Making These Common Divorce Mistakes Divorce is not only a complex legal process, but one that is also frequently fraught with emotions and hurt feelings, creating a perfect storm for spouses to make costly mistakes. The mistakes you make in a divorce can have some serious ripple ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 22-Aug-2019 What Can I Do If My Spouse Refuses to Pay Spousal Support? If your spouse is falling behind on spousal support payments, there are some legal options at your disposal, which can help enforce the order and ensure you receive these payments on time. However, before you run off to court, find out why your ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 15-Aug-2019 Can I Modify My Current Child Custody Order? If your child custody order no longer works for you, it is possible to have it modified. However, since stability and consistency are paramount in a child’s life, a judge will only grant your request if it serves the best interests of your ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 8-Aug-2019 The Unique Challenges of a High Net Worth Divorce Every divorce can potentially pose some difficult challenges, but a high net worth divorce presents more unique challenges due to the substantial amount of assets that are involved. It is not uncommon for a high asset divorce to involve real estate ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 30-Jul-2019 How is Spousal Maintenance Calculated? Spousal maintenance, also known as alimony, is sometimes ordered to assist a dependent spouse, to help him or her maintain the standard of living that was enjoyed during the marriage. Spousal maintenance can be awarded during the divorce process, ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 17-Jul-2019 Will Having an Affair Affect the Outcome of a Divorce? If infidelity led to your divorce, you might be wondering if it will have an impact on the outcome of it and how much it might ultimately cost you. The truth is that adultery does not have as great an impact on divorce as it once did. In the past, it ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 10-Jul-2019 When to Divorce: Signs That Indicate Now is the Time Choosing to end a marriage is not an easy decision to make, but sometimes it is necessary, especially if the relationship is becoming increasingly toxic and unhealthy. However, it can be difficult to know when to pull the plug and when to keep trying ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 3-Jul-2019 How Therapy Can Help Children Cope with Divorce Divorce is an emotionally challenging experience for spouses and it is even more difficult for children to cope with. Children are often unable to understand why their parents are separating and might even be plagued with feelings of guilt, believing ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 25-Jun-2019 Can I Get a Divorce if I Can't Don't Know Where My Spouse Is? If you want to divorce your spouse, but are unsure of his or her whereabouts, you can still get a divorce, but it will require a few extra steps. Courts typically require spouses to perform a somewhat exhaustive search before allowing the process to ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 19-Jun-2019 When Can I Stop Paying Spousal Support? In most cases, a spousal support order clearly states how long payments will last. However, there are some circumstances in which a spousal support order can end earlier. It is also possible to have a spousal support order modified to accommodate any ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 14-Jun-2019 4 Tips to Help Celebrate Father's Day with Your Children After a Divorce It can be a little tricky to navigate a parent-focused holiday like Father’s Day after a divorce. Even if there is still some unresolved anger and hurt feelings between parents, however, it is important to remember that this holiday is just as ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 29-May-2019 Preparing for the Summer as Co-Parents - It's Not Too Early If you think you are ahead of the game in terms of planning for the summer with your co-parent, you are wrong. Divorced parents should never put off summer plans, so if you do not already have a plan in place with your co-parent, now is the time to ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 22-May-2019 What Steps Can I Take to Protect My Assets in a Divorce? A major concern for divorcing spouses is, of course, their finances. Inevitably, your assets and property will end up on the property, but there are still some steps you can take to protect any separate property or assets and ensure you do not lose ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 15-May-2019 Reasons the Court Will Consider a Modification of Child Support The court generally advocates for stability in the life of a child and, as such, is often reluctant to make changes to a child support order. That said, there are numerous circumstances under which a judge might increase or decrease a child support ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 8-May-2019 How Does Mediation Differ from Collaborative Divorce? If you have decided to end your marriage, you and your spouse will have a few options that will help you peacefully unlink your lives through methods that will not cost you nearly as much as divorce litigation would. Two of these options are ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 29-Apr-2019 Tips on How to Handle Your Divorce at Work A divorce is a major life event and it would be unrealistic to think that it will not have a ripple effect throughout your life, including your professional life. If you are going through a divorce and are unsure of how to handle it or address it at ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 22-Apr-2019 What to Look for in a Divorce Attorney In this DIY world, a lot of people think that they can handle everything on their own, but the fact is that we still need experienced professionals to take on the more complicated matters in life, such as divorce. That said, even the task of finding ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 15-Apr-2019 What Are the Benefits of Mediation? There are many ways for couples to dissolve their marriage, some of which lend themselves to a more amicable ending than others, such as mediation. Mediation is a process through which two spouses are able to negotiate the details of their divorce ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 9-Apr-2019 Can My Spouse Stop Me From Getting a Divorce? When one spouse chooses to get a divorce, the other does not always necessarily agree and, in some cases, he or she might even deny signing the papers in an attempt to stop the process. However, although your spouse can certainly make getting a ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 26-Mar-2019 How Do I Know if My Spouse if Hiding Assets During Divorce? Sadly, money brings out the worst in people and no one understands this more than someone going through a divorce. It’s not surprising people want to protect their finances as much as possible, prompting the decision to illegally hide their ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 19-Mar-2019 Helping Kids Cope with Divorce When parents decide to divorce, children may feel they are at fault for the end of their parents’ marriage. This can be an emotionally draining and painful experience, which is why parents have a duty to protect their children when such a ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 5-Mar-2019 What if My Spouse is Delaying Divorce? Realizing you are ready for divorce is one of the most life-changing and difficult decisions to come to. Anyone who is in this position should commend themselves for making a choice for a better, happier future. However, not every person is willing ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 22-Feb-2019 Staying Off Social Media During Your Divorce Our world in 2019 is a completely new one. Long gone are the days of privacy, especially when it comes to our personal lives--though this isn’t because our information is being taken from us. We are the ones freely giving it away, unaware of ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 15-Feb-2019 Can I Date During my Divorce? Divorce, first and foremost, is the end of a relationship you likely imagined would last a significant amount of time. The loneliness that follows is one of the most immediate feelings you will face, which is why so many people are quick to find a ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 8-Feb-2019 How to Talk to My Kids About Divorce Divorce is more common than ever, and it continues to be one of the most emotionally draining and debilitating experiences someone can go through. Perhaps the most affected, however, are the children involved. Realizing their entire world is about to ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 29-Jan-2019 How Do I Get a Restraining Order Against My Ex? When a relationship ends, the result isn’t always as neat and simple as we might wish. Sometimes, our ex-spouses, ex-girlfriends, ex-boyfriends, or even past dates can be angry, resentful, and upset. We are all entitled to have these feelings ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 22-Jan-2019 What's the Difference Between a Contested and an Uncontested Divorce? If you are ready to file for divorce, you need to know your options. In the state of Texas, individuals have the option to file for either a contested or an uncontested divorce, depending on their situation. When couples have a high degree of ... Continue Reading Posted By aw Office of Kathryn Marteeny 3-Jan-2019 Do I Need to Hire a Divorce Lawyer? When faced with the daunting possibility of divorce, it’s natural to question whether or not hiring a divorce lawyer truly is necessary. Everyone hears about the massive expense of divorce, and many people try to avoid additional costs by ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 31-Dec-2018 6 Divorce Terms Everyone Should Know Are you going through a divorce? As commonplace as divorce may seem, the legal aspects of a divorce can still be extremely complex and difficult to navigate. From the get-go, you will have several decisions to make in regards to your wishes and ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 20-Dec-2018 What Will Happen To My Student Loans in a Divorce? Nowadays, it is difficult to start a reliable career without a college degree at your back, which is why more students than ever before are taking out student loans to pay for their schooling. Student debt may be considered commonplace these days, ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 12-Dec-2018 The Truth Behind 5 Divorce Myths Going through a divorce can be extremely challenging, especially if you are constantly being presented with false perceptions and ideas of how divorce works. Divorce is a rather commonplace occurrence nowadays, however, the legal complexities of ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 19-Nov-2018 4 Tips for a Gray Divorce Deciding to get a divorce is never easy, but it can be particularly challenging to go through with a divorce later in life. Most people over the age of 50 have all of their ducks in a row, so to speak. In other words, they have a career, they have ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny to 14-Nov-2018 4 Questions to Ask Your Divorce Attorney Before you hire a divorce attorney, make sure they can provide you with the service you need. As with anyone you hire, its important to ascertain whether or not you work well together before you fully commit. A divorce attorney can make or break your ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 5-Nov-2018 Do I Qualify for Spousal Maintenance? The cost of divorce can be devastating, especially if you are asked to pay alimony or if you receive fewer assets after your properties are divided. In order to protect your interests and your possessions, make sure you know everything you need to ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 31-Oct-2018 Tips for Co-Parenting During the Holidays The holidays can be a stressful time of year for just about anyone, but it can be particularly overwhelming for divorced parents who are trying to co-parent their way through this supposedly merry season. Effectively co-parenting is hard enough on ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 24-Oct-2018 What is the Waiting Period for Divorce in Houston? If you and your spouse are about to embark on the divorce process, you are likely wondering how long it will take before you can get the ball rolling. Every state has its own rules regarding waiting periods and divorce, including Texas. Given that no ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 17-Oct-2018 Why You Should Meet with an Attorney When Planning a Marriage When two people embark on a marriage, they generally think of love, romance, and starting a new chapter together as partners in life. While these are certainly great qualities to begin a marriage with, one should not forget the legal side of things. ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 3-Oct-2018 Will Divorce Affect My 401(k) or Retirement Benefits? In a divorce, everything that is considered marital property will ultimately end up on the chopping block, subject to division. This also includes your 401(k) plan, pensions, and other retirement accounts. However, only the amount you contributed to ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 19-Sep-2018 Preventing Childhood Obesity: Tips for Co-Parents September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, which gives us all a chance to spotlight an issue that children are at high risk of developing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 out of every 5 children in ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 31-Aug-2018 When Children Can Have Their Own Attorney Divorce and child custody proceedings can be emotionally overwhelming. If a child’s parents cannot come to an agreement over legal decisions involving their children, a viable option might be appointing a child attorney. Although parents have ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 24-Aug-2018 Remarriage in Texas: How It Affects Alimony & Child Support In a Texas divorce, one spouse is ordered by a judge to provide financial support to the other spouse and their children. But if the recipient spouse decides to get remarriage to cohabitates with a new significant other, how does this affect alimony ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 21-Aug-2018 How to Help Your Kids Cope with Divorce Going through a divorce is difficult, especially for your kids. For them, a divorce can feel like a devastating tragedy. They experience the loss of a parent, the loss of the family unit, or the loss of the life they once knew. Fortunately, you and ... Continue Reading Posted By the Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 18-Jul-2018 How to Divorce Your Missing Spouse Couples always have the option of divorcing when their marriages don’t work out. Divorce can be a complicated and emotional legal process, but for many couples the benefits still outweigh the struggles. In some circumstances, divorce becomes a ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 2-Jul-2018 How Long Does Texas Law Require Me to Pay Spousal Maintenance? Questions about spousal maintenance are very common during divorce proceedings. In Texas, spouses may be eligible to receive spousal maintenance if they are unable to financially provide for themselves following a divorce. Texas law is very strict ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 26-Jun-2018 How To Divorce an Abusive Spouse Dealing with domestic abuse can be upsetting and dangerous. Whether the abuse is emotional, physical, or verbal, it can cause serious harm to everyone in the household. Domestic violence often takes places between spouses, but the abuse can also ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 14-Jun-2018 How Long Will My Divorce Take? Once you have decided to end your marriage, you should know the basics about the divorce process, including how long it will take to obtain a divorce in Texas. Anyone who lives in Texas can file for a divorce with the local courts, even if the ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 4-Jun-2018 4 Tips To Make Co-Parenting Easier This Summer Sharing parenting responsibilities don’t always make the job easier. In fact, parenting alongside your ex is often a bit challenging, if not downright difficult. With summer just around the corner, it’s important to start the season off ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 31-May-2018 What Happens to Debt in a Divorce? One of the most confusing aspects of a Texas divorce case is determining the division of debt. When a couple files for divorce, any debts they have incurred are legally divided by a judge and recorded on the Final Decree of Divorce. The distribution ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 3-May-2018 How to Survive Wedding Season After a Divorce The sadness and confusion of a divorce don’t end simply because legal documents have been signed. Whatever the circumstances of the separation, your life has irrevocably changed. Isolation is normal during this period, though not necessarily ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 24-Apr-2018 Could Mediation Be Better for Your Kids? When you and your spouse decide to file for divorce, there are many big decisions you have to make in a somewhat short period of time. If you share children, your priority is probably to make sure that they leave the divorce process as unscathed as ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 18-Apr-2018 How Could a Postnuptial Agreement Benefit Me? Most people know that they could draft a prenuptial agreement to protect themselves before a marriage, but did you know a postnuptial agreement could help you after the marriage has taken place? With a postnuptial agreement, spouses can outline their ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 9-Apr-2018 4 Common Divorce Mistakes Fathers Need To Avoid The divorce process is hard for both parents, and figuring out how to handle your own emotions while also providing support for your kids can be extremely taxing. On top of the emotional stress, you have to deal with the financial strain and the ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 5-Apr-2018 How To Tell Your Kids About Your Divorce Telling your kids that you’re getting a divorce can be one of the most difficult discussions you ever have. Most parents worry about how their children will take the news, whether they’ll be angry, sad, or a combination of the two. You ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 22-Mar-2018 Why Do I Need an Attorney for My High Net-Worth Divorce? When you and your spouse shared a high number of assets, it could make your divorce that much more complicated. Even though much of the divorce process remains the same, couples with a high net-worth may need additional time and resources to help ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 14-Mar-2018 What Can I Do If My Ex Stops Paying Child Support? Dealing with a noncompliant ex can be extremely difficult in any case, but when you both share a child those problems can be even more challenging to overcome. When your ex pays child support, they might use those payments against you, or they could ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 26-Feb-2018 How is My Property Divided in a Texas Divorce? There are many tricky aspects in divorce, and sometimes property division can be more difficult to contend with that others. Couples involved in long-term marriages can accumulate a large amount of assets during their time together. Even spouses ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 6-Feb-2018 Tips for Divorcing a High-Conflict Spouse Going through a divorce is always challenging, but if your spouse is especially argumentative and contentious, it can be even more trying. The divorce process is often emotional and stressful for everyone, but some people can respond to the ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 17-Jan-2018 What are the Benefits of Collaborative Divorce? The divorce process can be messy, emotional, and extremely stressful. Contentions couples often argue more as tensions rise in the court room, and even more amenable spouses can sometimes grow argumentative and angry. In any case, divorce buts an ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 11-Jan-2018 Family Law & Modifications: When Can You Seek Change? The terms you reach with your ex after a divorce or separation might now always be applicable to your family. As your life changes, you may need to seek a modification for your current court-orders. Whether you are looking to relocate, remarry, or ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 22-Nov-2017 Who Gets to Keep the Pets in Divorce? During a divorce, your mind is probably occupied with issues such as child custody, alimony, parenting plans and division of property, but there’s one aspect that tends to get overlooked— pet custody. Unlike your children, the courts will ... Continue Reading Posted By Nelson Aguilar 13-Nov-2017 How to Modify a Divorce Agreement Divorce agreements are meant to be permanent, but it’s not uncommon for a party to want to change it for one reason or the other. A significant change in circumstances (death, relocation, job loss) after a divorce can make a modification ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 9-Oct-2017 Mistakes to Avoid in a High Asset Divorce Divorce is not only an emotionally draining experience, but oftentimes a financially complex one as well, especially if you are in the midst of a high asset divorce. With a substantial amount of money, property, assets, and other valuable items at ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 25-Sep-2017 When is the Best Time to Get Divorced? Just because you have come to the conclusion to get divorced does not mean you have to move forward with it right away. Choosing the right time to file a divorce is something that should be planned thoughtfully and carefully. Of course, ending a ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 18-Sep-2017 The Risks of Online Divorce Services If you and your spouse decided to file for divorce, your next step is to execute the actual process and, considering how much of what we do these days can be carried out online, using an online divorce service might seem like a tempting option. After ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 11-Sep-2017 Gray Divorce: What It Is & How to Deal With It If you are over the age of 50 and getting a divorce, you might think this is a rarity, but the truth is that more and more couples over the age of 50 are deciding to part ways. This relatively new phenomenon is known as a “gray divorce.” ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 30-Aug-2017 The Most Common Reasons Why People Get Divorced When two people say, “I do,” they generally do not expect that they will eventually have to untie the knot. Unfortunately, many people do end up having to do exactly that. Why do so many once happy couples end up having to pull the plug ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 16-Aug-2017 Dating During Divorce - Is It A Good Idea? Your marriage has likely been over for quite some time even if you are just beginning the process of divorce. This might seem like the right time to turn the page and get back into the dating pool, but this is actually a mistake. Dating before your ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 2-Aug-2017 Why You Should Stay Off Social Media During Your Divorce For many of us, social media is a part of our everyday lives, allowing us to remain connected to our family, friends, and acquaintances. It is a platform that often encourages oversharing, giving us a forum for stating our innermost thoughts and ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 24-Jul-2017 What to Look for in a Mediator Mediated divorces are becoming more and more popular options throughout the United States. Instead of getting involved in lengthy court battles, couples wishing to divorce quickly and cost-effectively will opt for deciding most divorce issues through ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 8-Jun-2017 Signs of Domestic Violence It’s hard to know what happens behind closed doors. People experiencing the daily trauma of domestic violence often feel unsafe or scared to tell someone else about the abuse. They could also fear that, even if they do tell, no one will believe ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 28-Apr-2017 What Rights Do Fathers Have in a Divorce? Some fathers panic at the prospect of divorce. After all, don’t women usually get custody of the children? Actually, both parents are equally likely to get physical custody of their kids. Fathers are also likely to be awarded total custody if ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 20-Apr-2017 Complexities of High Asset Divorce One of the things that can really complicate the divorce process is property division. This process can be particularly complicated if high net worth individuals are getting divorced. Prenuptial agreements (prenups) are more popular than ever, but ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 2-Mar-2017 Children and Divorce: The Dos and Don'ts Getting divorced is difficult for many people, but having children can complicate the process even further. Many parents are often grieving the end of a relationship and stressed over the cost of the divorce or the change in living arrangements. ... Continue Reading Posted By Kathryn Marteeny 30-Jan-2017 Fact or Myth: Is January Really Divorce Month? The concept of January being “divorce month” is really no myth. Family law attorneys frequently report January and February as being the prime months for divorce. It is not just married couples, however, who tend to end their relationship ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 14-Dec-2016 Should You File for Divorce Before or After the Holidays? At Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny, we often have clients ask us if they should wait till the holidays are over to file for divorce. The holidays can be a special time for many, but they can also be a time of extreme stress, especially if your ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 7-Dec-2016 Creating a Holiday Visitation Plan As you navigate through the divorce process with your Houston family law attorney, you will be asked to submit a parenting plan. In that plan, you should include your plan for splitting the holidays between parents. While you can both design separate ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 23-Nov-2016 Divorced Parents: Child Custody Dos and Don'ts During the Holidays For some the holiday season is a time of giving and cheer, but for divorcing or divorced parents it can be incredibly stressful. You have the coordinate which nights of Hanukkah that children will spend with what parent, or if you celebrate ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 16-Nov-2016 Holiday Tips for Divorcing Parents The holidays are stressful enough on their own, but if you are in the middle of divorce, they can be emotionally draining. If you haven’t told your family, you might be dreading telling your parents why your marriage has fallen apart between ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 25-Oct-2016 3 Surprising Divorce Myths Many people navigating divorce endure comments, ideas, and other misconceptions their friends, family and co-workers have about the divorce process. If you are considering divorce, keep reading. In this blog, our Houston divorce lawyer debunks three ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 26-Sep-2016 Grounds for Contempt When it comes to divorce issues, such as child custody, and spousal support, a judge will distribute court orders that both parties must follow. However, there are many cases where a noncustodial parent will refuse to pay child support, or a party ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 23-Aug-2016 3 Tips for an Easier Divorce At the Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny, we understand the stress, fear and anxiety you must be going through as you process what your divorce could mean for your future. Divorce can be an extremely challenging time in some peoples’ lives as you ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 5-Aug-2016 How Texas Courts Divide Property As you begin the divorce process, you may be wondering how the courts in Houston will divide you and your ex’s property. Learn more about the process from a Houston divorce attorney. The state of Texas considers all income and property acquired ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 26-May-2016 How to Act in Family Court One of the most overwhelming and frightening experiences you will encounter in your family law case is testifying in court. Whether your part of particular party or testifying as a witness, when your name is called to the stand, having the right ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny 12-Feb-2016 Valentine's Day and the Increase of Divorce Filings Here is something to think about: the number of divorce petitions being filed increase significantly around Valentine’s Day. Many Houston divorce attorneys have noticed this interesting figure, and it certainly begs discussion. On a day meant ... Continue Reading