Dallas Family Law Blog

Whether your marriage is months, years or decades old there may come a day when you and your partner decide it is time to go your separate ways. There can be many reasons behind this, or just a single reason. Either way, if you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse are communicating well before and during the split, your divorce could be a candidate for alternative dispute resolution. "ADR" is not right for everyone, but it could be a good option for many approaching a divorce case.

Alternative dispute resolution is an umbrella term for collaborative divorce processes. Mediation is one of those divorce processes, in which a negotiation between the parties is facilitated by a neutral third-party, but not decided by that third-party. It allows the parties to speak directly with each other in order to communicate and to come to a resolution that they both can agree on. Negotiating often goes on between the parties, but they may include their own counsel with them during these mediation conversations.

Divorce is a difficult life event. However, it can mean more than just a failed marriage. It could mean the splitting of a family. When children are involved, it is important to think about what is best for the child. No two families are alike, and the needs of each parent and child are different. In matters where domestic violence was present or there are safety concerns, joint custody may not be the most suitable. In these situations, seeking sole custody may be in the best interests of the child.

While it is not as common, sole custody is often sought in matters that involve domestic violence, child abuse or substance abuse problems. Unlike joint custody where each parent has legal and physical custody of the child, sole custody awards both legal and physical custody to one parent while the non-custodial parent has neither legal nor physical custodial rights of the child.

Some marriages cannot stand the test of time. Even if a couple has decades of a happy marriage, this does not safeguard a couple from encountering marital problems. No matter the reason or cause for dissolution, ending a marriage can be a very emotional and complex time. This is especially true for those seeking to protect assets and property from being divided during the process.

Recent reports revealed that talk show host Wendy Williams filed for divorce from her husband of 22 years. It is speculated that this decision is based on infidelity on his part. Rumors have circulated about these cheating allegations, claiming that he fathered a child with his long-time mistress.

Marriage can be complex. Nowadays, when two people decide to get married, it is a huge operation. However, the union itself is simple. Two individuals are bound legally. This can sound rather worrisome, as many couples enter the union with valuable assets of their own. However, there are ways to address this, such as including a prenuptial agreement in the marriage.

A prenuptial agreement or a prenup is a legal document that essentially outlines what will happen if a divorce occurs. While this document can dictate very specific details, it cannot address all areas of concern. There are some restrictions for a prenup, and if they are not followed, they could invalidate the document.