Dallas Family Law Blog | The Shapiro Law Firm

What's the best way to prepare your finances for divorce?

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm on Tuesday, November 20, 2018.

The way you prepare your finances for divorce will affect you during the process, as well as in the future. This is why it's so important to take all the right steps at the right time.

While you don't have to prepare in the exact same way as the next person, there are some basic tips you can follow. Here are five things to keep you on track:

Gather everything you need: The divorce process is full of paperwork and documentation. Collect all your financial records up front so that you have what you need in the future. You don't want to find yourself without something of importance, as it can slow things down and cause unnecessary stress.
Make note of your assets and debts: A checklist of your assets and debts will help you prepare for property division. It will also help you secure the assets that you're entitled to.
Review your credit report: It's good to know what you're up against in regard to your finances, as things won't be the same once you're on your own. If you find that your credit is not up to par, now's the time to take action.
Create a budget: Don't wait until the last minute to do this. The sooner you have a budget to guide you, the sooner you can make decisions that will improve your finances now and in the future. A financial planner can help with this if you have questions.
Open separate accounts: While you may have to keep joint accounts open until the end of the divorce process, it makes sense to set up an individual checking account and get a credit card in your name only. In this way, you can begin building your credit history.

Use a property division checklist to save time, reduce stress

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm on Tuesday, November 20, 2018.

There are many things that can stand between you and finalizing your divorce. For example, matters of property division often get in the way. While you have one thing in mind, your soon-to-be ex-spouse is thinking about something entirely different. It's this type of disagreement that can slow things down.

You can push back against a breath test in Texas criminal court

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm on Tuesday, October 23, 2018.

In the American criminal justice system, anyone accused of a crime receives the benefit of the doubt: A defendant is innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.

Unfortunately, the presumption of innocence tends to apply more strongly in some cases than in others. In certain scenarios, people assume an individual facing charges is guilty before the case ever goes to court.

Am I in a position to get a child custody modification?

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm on Tuesday, October 23, 2018.

Many people are unhappy with the child custody ruling the court made when they assessed their family circumstances. However, just because a parent is unhappy with the current situation, it does not mean that it would be a good idea to go ahead and request a child custody modification.

The courts have already made a decision based on the current circumstances, and they are unlikely to change their decision if you seek a modification just after the ruling. However, if there has been a significant change in circumstances, then it might be appropriate to go about filing for a child custody modification.

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.