Dallas Family Law Blog | The Shapiro Law Firm

When coparenting isn't working, consider these options

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm on Tuesday, August 28, 2018.

When you are raising a child and you are no longer together with the other parent, it is likely that you will be attempting to coparent and coordinate as a team. In an ideal world, the two of you will be able to discuss things in a healthy and balanced way and you will be able to resolve minor conflicts in a sensible manner.

In this way, the child or children in question will benefit because they will be able to have strong relationships with both of their parents and they will be able to see that each parent has respect for the other.

You should minimize the impact of a juvenile crime on your child

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm on Wednesday, August 22, 2018.

Being a parent isn't easy. You have to walk a fine line to balance wanting the best life for your child and ensuring they grow up to be a responsible person. In order to do so, however, teens often have to learn by making mistakes as they grow up. Sometimes, those youthful mistakes can have dire consequences for your child's future and your family.

While you may want your child to learn from their mistakes, tough love isn't always the right choice for helping a teenager facing the consequences of a bad decision. When your child is facing a juvenile criminal charge, they need support from their loved ones, not castigation.

How to locate hidden assets in a Texas divorce

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm posted in Divorce on Monday, July 23, 2018.

For couples considering divorce, the way they split up their assets is often going to be a major source of contention. It's quite possible that the spouses will not agree on what is fair when it comes to the property acquired during the marriage.

Texas judges do their best to ensure that a division is fair, but they rely on information presented to the court. If one spouse has hidden community assets, it can skew the outcome in that spouse's favor. That is, unless the second spouse can show that the assets were indeed community assets and that the first spouse hid them or transferred title to the assets to another party without the second spouse's knowledge.

Co-parenting might test your patience. Take it in stride.

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm posted in Child Custody on Thursday, July 19, 2018.

The transition from a married couple to a divorced, co-parenting situation isn't usually easy. You might find that your priorities and methods change with the divorce. This can lead to some challenges when you are working with your ex. It is important to remember that you might not always get along with him or her, but you should still be able to have a positive parenting relationship.

Maintaining a positive attitude isn't always easy. You will have to make a concerted effort, especially when there are contentious matters on the horizon. Here are a few tips that might help you along the way:

You can get a limited license with an ignition interlock system

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm posted in DWI-DUI on Tuesday, June 26, 2018.

People make mistakes. Some of them are just more dangerous than others. If you put the dishes back in the wrong cupboard, the risk is minimal. If you get behind the wheel after a few drinks, however, the risk for yourself and others on the road could be substantial. If you made a mistake and are now facing driving while intoxicated (DWI) charges in Texas, you should consider all of your options.

One of the biggest hassles about a DWI is the likelihood that you'll lose your driving privileges. If you were previously convicted on DWI charges, your driving privileges may be suspended for even longer on any subsequent convictions. Thankfully, the state of Texas recognizes that driving vehicles is a necessity for many people. There is an alternative solution available to many of those who need to drive while dealing with a DWI.

Expungement of a criminal record in Texas can improve your life

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm posted in Expungement on Thursday, June 7, 2018.

A criminal record in Texas can haunt you for many years. Even minor offenses from your youth can have a profound negative impact on your life, career and prospects for the future. While criminal records can help society as a whole, they can also damage the lives of people who have learned from past mistakes and made an effort to improve their lives.

For those with a criminal record, those facing criminal charges and parents of minors in legal trouble, expungement and non-disclosure of criminal records can offer hope. Understanding how Texas approaches this process can help you make informed decisions about your initial criminal defense and your future.

Why growing marijuana in Texas is not a wise decision

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm posted in Drug Crimes on Thursday, May 24, 2018.

There are many reasons why people may decide to grow marijuana. Perhaps the person needs to make some money and believe that growing marijuana will be a quick and effective way to raise some capital. Maybe marijuana can alleviate the symptoms of a severe medical condition. Growing your own marijuana in that situation may seem like a better option than supporting the black market and buying from drug dealers. Some people choose to grow marijuana because they like it and want a steady supply.

Whatever the reason, there are serious consequences in Texas for getting caught growing marijuana. Despite how popular opinion on the drug has changed in the last decade, laws on the topic have not changed as quickly. It only takes one nosy neighbor to draw the attention of law enforcement and potentially change your life forever.

Important things to know about parenting agreements

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm posted in Child Custody on Friday, April 27, 2018.

If you decide to divorce and have at least one child with your spouse, you can rest assured that you'll need to work through a variety of things regarding child custody.

While most child custody cases reach a resolution before litigation, there is no guarantee this will happen. Fortunately, when you understand the power of negotiation, whether done by the lawyers for the spouses or through formal mediation,it may be possible to work things out without the intervention of the court.

Protect your assets with a property division checklist

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm posted in Property Division on Friday, April 27, 2018.

Are you going through a divorce? Are you worried about losing your property and assets? Do you want to put yourself in the best possible position regarding asset and debt division?

There is no denying the fact that property division can be a contentious issues during the divorce process. While you have one idea of what should happen, your soon to be ex-spouse may have another.

Codify who will pay for your child's health insurance in advance

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm posted in Child Support on Tuesday, March 27, 2018.

You might think that you and your ex-spouse have come to agreement on various issues regarding child custody and how you will handle certain things after the divorce. But unless you've agreed to these things in writing, there aren't any guarantees. This is why parents use what are called "parenting provisions," or written statements, that allow them to codify the terms of their parental activities and relationship as co-parents.

One area that parents will definitely want to cover with their parenting provisions is health insurance and health care. Here are four parenting provisions that parents could use to establish various agreements in this area of parenting: