Tag Archive for: Longview divorce attorney

Building Strong Relationships After Your Divorce, One Visit at a Time

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When your first child was born, you probably realized that you were entering a new chapter of your life. That tiny baby that you held in your arms was in fact someone with whom you will have a bond for your entire life.  As your child or children grew, you built a relationship with them, one moment at a time. Now that you are divorcing, that does not have to change. Although the schedule of moments that you will share with your child or children may look different than it did when all of you lived in the same home, each moment presents the same opportunities as all of the moments prior to your divorce did. Even if your new schedule gives you less time with your child or children than you are accustomed to, your bond can remain strong both now, and for years to come.

If you are able to focus on making your kids’ transition from their other parent’s home to your home as smooth as possible, you will set yourself and your kids up for a great visit. Calm and civilized communication before, during, and after pick-ups and drop-offs will set your children at ease. Once the children are at your house, remember that children thrive when consistent rules and routines are a part of their day to day life. It is likely that your children follow rules and routines at their other parent’s home that the two of you decided upon together before your divorce. Incorporating the rules and routines that your children are accustomed to into life at your house will help the kids feel safe and secure, and can reduce the likelihood of the behavioral problems that can, for some children, accompany a change in routine.

You may wonder what kinds of things you should do with your kids when they visit you, because you have such limited time together and you want to make sure that it is enjoyable. Some parents feel like they have to amaze their kids with extravagant outings and gifts when they visit, in order to make the visits more memorable. Fortunately, this is not true. In fact, visits that are too jam-packed with activities and excitement can be overwhelming for some kids. If you take care to ensure that visits are not crammed too full of plans and activities, that can help to keep everyone’s focus on being together, instead of making it through an exhausting schedule of events.

When you are thinking about what you would like to do with the kids during your visits, remember which things you have already done with them have brought you the most joy. If you and your child or children still enjoy those same activities, make a plan to incorporate them into your time together. Since children are always growing and some of their interests change often, another way to make sure that your time with your child is meaningful for both of you is to set aside time for you to just be with them, in comfortable situations like enjoying a meal together or taking a walk. You may be surprised at how much you can learn about your child and their interests during these simple activities, as kids are often eager to share details about things that they enjoy. When they mention things that are also interesting to you, make a plan to do those things together at some point in the future.

If you are a parent who is considering divorce, it is to your advantage to work with a Texas divorce attorney. To learn more about how we can help you with your Texas divorce, schedule a free consultation with East Texas divorce attorney Alex Tyra today. Call our office at (903) 753-7499, on the web to submit an online contact form.

 

Building Strong Relationships After Your Divorce, One Visit at a Time

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When your first child was born, you probably realized that you were entering a new chapter of your life. That tiny baby that you held in your arms was in fact someone with whom you will have a bond for your entire life.  As your child or children grew, you built a relationship with them, one moment at a time. Now that you are divorcing, that does not have to change. Although the schedule of moments that you will share with your child or children may look different than it did when all of you lived in the same home, each moment presents the same opportunities as all of the moments prior to your divorce did. Even if your new schedule gives you less time with your child or children than you are accustomed to, your bond can remain strong both now, and for years to come.

If you are able to focus on making your kids’ transition from their other parent’s home to your home as smooth as possible, you will set yourself and your kids up for a great visit. Calm and civilized communication before, during, and after pick-ups and drop-offs will set your children at ease. Once the children are at your house, remember that children thrive when consistent rules and routines are a part of their day to day life. It is likely that your children follow rules and routines at their other parent’s home that the two of you decided upon together before your divorce. Incorporating the rules and routines that your children are accustomed to into life at your house will help the kids feel safe and secure, and can reduce the likelihood of the behavioral problems that can, for some children, accompany a change in routine.

You may wonder what kinds of things you should do with your kids when they visit you, because you have such limited time together and you want to make sure that it is enjoyable. Some parents feel like they have to amaze their kids with extravagant outings and gifts when they visit, in order to make the visits more memorable. Fortunately, this is not true. In fact, visits that are too jam-packed with activities and excitement can be overwhelming for some kids. If you take care to ensure that visits are not crammed too full of plans and activities, that can help to keep everyone’s focus on being together, instead of making it through an exhausting schedule of events.

When you are thinking about what you would like to do with the kids during your visits, remember which things you have already done with them have brought you the most joy. If you and your child or children still enjoy those same activities, make a plan to incorporate them into your time together. Since children are always growing and some of their interests change often, another way to make sure that your time with your child is meaningful for both of you is to set aside time for you to just be with them, in comfortable situations like enjoying a meal together or taking a walk. You may be surprised at how much you can learn about your child and their interests during these simple activities, as kids are often eager to share details about things that they enjoy. When they mention things that are also interesting to you, make a plan to do those things together at some point in the future.

If you are a parent who is considering divorce, it is to your advantage to work with a Texas divorce attorney. To learn more about how we can help you with your Texas divorce, schedule a free consultation with East Texas divorce attorney Alex Tyra today. Call our office at (903) 753-7499, on the web to submit an online contact form.

 

Addressing Your Children’s Needs During Your Texas Divorce

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Going through a divorce is difficult for anyone, but for parents with a divorce case underway, it is even tougher.  Specifically, parents have to attend to their own feelings about the divorce as well as the feelings of their children.  In fact, not only do they have to figure out how they will manage the day-to-day details of their own lives, they also need to do so for their children as well.

If you are a parent and you are involved in divorce proceedings, you may have questions about how to handle some of the emotional and practical effects that your divorce will have on your children. Throughout the course of your divorce, two questions are likely to remain at the forefront of your mind – what do your children need from you, and how you can ensure that they get it?  The good news is that if you have already asked yourself these questions, you are probably providing your children with all of the support that they need during this very challenging time. Notwithstanding, there still are some specific things, described more fully below, that you can do to reduce the impact that your divorce will have on your children.

The most important need that all children have during a divorce is to feel loved and accepted by each of their parents, and to feel as if they are just as valued and important as they were before the divorce.  Keeping intense discussions, arguments, and other negative interactions out of the earshot of your children can prevent unnecessary feelings of guilt, or of having to choose a side. Children should not have to take on any parental roles or duties, or make any decisions, such as the decision about which parent they will live with.

Another very important thing that you and your soon-to-be-former spouse can do for your children during your divorce is to keep your daily and weekly routines as close as possible to the way that they were during your marriage. From a child’s perspective, routines and familiarity create a feeling of safety and security at a time when they need it the most. Temporary orders from the court can help you to preserve your family’s routines and schedule during your divorce.

When you are involved in a divorce, strong emotions may make it difficult for you to “keep it together” and to effectively move forward.  However, your children need you to be brave and strong, and to keep on conducting business as usual. In order for you to do so, you must take care of your own emotional needs. Talking with friends and family, going to therapy, exercising, writing in a journal, or spending time outdoors can all help you to work through the tangled web of emotions that you are currently feeling. Taking care of your emotional needs will help you to be able to be calm, present, and seemingly unruffled when your children are in your care.  It will also help you to work through the practical details of your divorce so that you can make important decisions with a clear mind and vision for your future.

If you are going through a divorce, let an experienced Longview divorce attorney take care of all of the details so that you can focus on taking care of yourself and your family. Schedule a free consultation with East Texas divorce attorney Alex Tyra today. Call our Longview office at (903) 753-7499, or submit an online contact form through our law firm website.

Maximizing the Probability of a Positive Outcome in Texas Child Custody Disputes [Part II]

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This is the second installment in our two-part blog post providing an overview of the types of evidence that may have a significant impact in a contested Texas child custody dispute.  While the types of issues and factual evidence outlined in this blog series are important, this blog hardly covers all of considerations that may be relevant.  If you have further questions after reviewing this blog post, we invite you to schedule a free consultation with Texas child custody lawyer Alex Tyra.

School Performance Matters: If you are a parent, then you are well aware of how difficult it can be to determine if a child is happy and well adjusted, especially teenage kids.  The accounts of family interactions that judges hear from parents usually are so different that it is hard to believe that the parents lived together in the same household.  One type of evidence that is not easy to manipulate is a child’s performance in school.  If a child is receiving excellent grades and exhibits appropriate behavior and strong social skills in school, these types of evidence will tend to benefit the parent with whom a child is living if the other parent has moved out of the residence.  When a minor child is struggling in school, getting into fights or otherwise manifesting behavioral issues, this type of evidence may suggest that the current parenting arrangements are not working effectively.  Because the mere fact a child custody dispute exists may impact a child’s emotional well-being and academic performance, trouble in school does not necessarily indicate the parent who is the primary caretaker is doing anything wrong.  However, both parents should pay close attention to school performance and be proactive if their child is struggling.

Family Residence Dilemma: Parents trying to live under the same roof during a divorce or paternity action are often miserable.  While the urge to move out may be compelling, this is a decision that needs to be considered very carefully.  While moving out of the family home can sometimes ratchet down animosity and conflict in the household, it can also lead to serious disadvantages in a custody dispute.  If a parent moves out of the family home before temporary custody and visitation orders are in place, the parent essentially is at the mercy of the other parent for access to his or her kids.  Further, the parent who has moved out may be faced with claims that he or she did not attempt to spend time with his or her kids or to be more involved in their lives after moving out.  Courts also like to promote stability and minimize the extent of change in children’s lives so effectively surrendering the family home to the possession of the other parent may mean that keeping the children in the family residence means making the other parent the primary residential parent.  There are situations where vacating the family home is the prudent choice, such as to avoid domestic violence situations or false allegations of domestic violence, but you should seek legal advice from an experienced Texas family law attorney before taking this step.

If you are involved in a contested child custody case, Texas family law attorney Alex Tyra offers a free consultation so that he can help you understand your rights and options.  We invite you to contact us in our Longview, Texas office at 903-753-7499 or visit our website and submit a case contact form.

Maximizing the Probability of a Positive Outcome in Texas Child Custody Disputes [Part II]

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This is the second installment in our two-part blog post providing an overview of the types of evidence that may have a significant impact in a contested Texas child custody dispute.  While the types of issues and factual evidence outlined in this blog series are important, this blog hardly covers all of considerations that may be relevant.  If you have further questions after reviewing this blog post, we invite you to schedule a free consultation with Texas child custody lawyer Alex Tyra.

School Performance Matters: If you are a parent, then you are well aware of how difficult it can be to determine if a child is happy and well adjusted, especially teenage kids.  The accounts of family interactions that judges hear from parents usually are so different that it is hard to believe that the parents lived together in the same household.  One type of evidence that is not easy to manipulate is a child’s performance in school.  If a child is receiving excellent grades and exhibits appropriate behavior and strong social skills in school, these types of evidence will tend to benefit the parent with whom a child is living if the other parent has moved out of the residence.  When a minor child is struggling in school, getting into fights or otherwise manifesting behavioral issues, this type of evidence may suggest that the current parenting arrangements are not working effectively.  Because the mere fact a child custody dispute exists may impact a child’s emotional well-being and academic performance, trouble in school does not necessarily indicate the parent who is the primary caretaker is doing anything wrong.  However, both parents should pay close attention to school performance and be proactive if their child is struggling.

Family Residence Dilemma: Parents trying to live under the same roof during a divorce or paternity action are often miserable.  While the urge to move out may be compelling, this is a decision that needs to be considered very carefully.  While moving out of the family home can sometimes ratchet down animosity and conflict in the household, it can also lead to serious disadvantages in a custody dispute.  If a parent moves out of the family home before temporary custody and visitation orders are in place, the parent essentially is at the mercy of the other parent for access to his or her kids.  Further, the parent who has moved out may be faced with claims that he or she did not attempt to spend time with his or her kids or to be more involved in their lives after moving out.  Courts also like to promote stability and minimize the extent of change in children’s lives so effectively surrendering the family home to the possession of the other parent may mean that keeping the children in the family residence means making the other parent the primary residential parent.  There are situations where vacating the family home is the prudent choice, such as to avoid domestic violence situations or false allegations of domestic violence, but you should seek legal advice from an experienced Texas family law attorney before taking this step.

If you are involved in a contested child custody case, Texas family law attorney Alex Tyra offers a free consultation so that he can help you understand your rights and options.  We invite you to contact us in our Longview, Texas office at 903-753-7499 or visit our website and submit a case contact form.

Key Mistakes to Avoid When Navigating a Texas Divorce

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While retaining a competent experienced Texas divorce attorney can provide an effective way to protect your interests during a divorce, any party to a divorce also can take steps to avoid certain mistakes that adversely impact the outcome of one’s marital dissolution.  If you have questions about how to handle certain issues, your attorney can provide legal counsel and assist you in avoiding pitfalls that can result in undesirable outcomes on issues like alimony, conservatorship, timesharing, property division and other key issues.  However, at the Texas family law office of Alex Tyra, we often hear from prospective clients that do not contact us until after they have made critical errors.  We have provided an overview of mistakes to avoid if you are involved in a Texas divorce proceeding:

Be Reasonable and Businesslike: Many of the most high conflict divorce cases arise out of unrealistic expectations and unnecessary animosity.  It is understandable that the divorce process will involve emotions like anger, jealousy, fear and anxiety that may hinder constructive positive solutions.  However, both spouses lose when they run up unnecessary legal fees and litigation expenses because one side or the other takes a position that is not reasonable given the possible spectrum of orders that a judge might issue.  We frequently hear prospective clients that insist they want “sole custody” or “no spousal maintenance.”  It is the exception rather than the norm when such orders are granted so you should let an experienced divorce attorney help you develop realistic expectations.

Provide Your Attorney with Requested Information: There are disclosure requirements and discovery obligations for both parties in a Texas divorce.  When your Texas divorce attorney requests documents or information, it important to provide this information promptly so that your attorney can respond to discovery and provide mandatory disclosures.  The best practice is to gather financial documents, title documents, paystubs, retirement plan statements, tax returns, paystubs, monthly bills and mortgage statements because your attorney will need these to develop settlement positions on property and debt distribution, spousal maintenance, child support and other issues.

Perceiving Your Spouse as Confident: Because of the long duration of many marriages, it is natural to feel comfortable disclosing information with your spouse during an amicable divorce process.  Even in an amicable divorce, it is important to understand that a marital dissolution is an adversarial proceeding.  You should be careful providing confidential and proprietary information with a spouse because it may be used against you.  It is imperative that you consult your Texas divorce attorney before executing any document provided by your spouse.

Focus on the Forest Not the Trees: Because you may be overwhelmed by strong emotions in a divorce, it is easy to get bogged down in winning short-term battles while damaging your long-term prospects.  It is important to step back when you are being spurned on by intense emotions so that you do not make a poor decision that runs counter to your best interests.  Divorce attorneys can provide sound legal advice which put issues in proper perspective.

If you are involved in a marital dissolution, Texas family law attorney Alex Tyra offers a free consultation so that he can help you understand your rights and options.  We invite you to contact us in our Longview, Texas office at 903-753-7499 or visit our website and submit a case contact form.

How To Protect Your Credit During Your Divorce

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Today, one out of three relationships in the United States will ultimately end with divorce. Divorce is now becoming a pretty common aspect of life for many people, and some individuals are even bound to become divorced more than once. However, many couples in the past, and even still today do not plan for the future accordingly, especially that of a divorce. When you become divorced you are severing your ties with your former spouse personally, and legally. However, you are also doing so in another aspect, financially. So, what should you do pertaining to your credit, and credit cards when you are in the midst of a divorce?

Credit and Its Correlation To Divorce

The majority of individuals today have a credit card, whether it is one for emergencies, or a few for the incentives and rewards that come along with using it. However, it can also be said by today’s standard that the majority of credit card users are also in debt. Yet, some people do know how to manage their credit cards and bills accordingly. When you have a credit card, or other items that you pay monthly bills on you begin to have a credit score, or credit ranking. This number can help you make large purchases in the future such as a car, a home, or maybe help you financially in the future as well.

Your Name, Your Money, Your Rights

However, during a divorce, many cases come to light that show that when spouses had a joint credit card, or a credit card in the other’s name they not only went overboard spending, but also devastated the other’s credit score in the process. Many people think that their credit score can recover from this, or they can explain the circumstances as to why it’s dropped so low. Yet, many businesses, and companies don’t deal with your circumstances at the time, but what the number actually tells them.

In this case, you can easily avoid in credit issues when dealing with your divorce by doing a few simply things. To start, you should cancel any credit cards that your spouse holds that are in your name, or cancel those that are in both of your names since you are now becoming divorced. Next, you should get your credit report from three major credit agencies such as TransUnion®, Experian® and Equifax. After that, make sure that once a year you get a credit report to make sure that there are not any unforeseen changes.

When you or a loved one is in the midst of a divorce and have experienced credit card problems, debt, or damage to your credit report speak to an experienced divorce attorney today in order to make sure your rights are properly fought for.

Contact The Law Office of Alex Tyra, P.C. For a Free Consultation When you need assistance from an experienced attorney or if you need to better understand you legal options, contact The Law Office of Alex Tyra, P.C., at (903) 753-7499.  All initial consultations are free.  Phone calls are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

 

How To Protect Your Credit During Your Divorce

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Today, one out of three relationships in the United States will ultimately end with divorce. Divorce is now becoming a pretty common aspect of life for many people, and some individuals are even bound to become divorced more than once. However, many couples in the past, and even still today do not plan for the future accordingly, especially that of a divorce. When you become divorced you are severing your ties with your former spouse personally, and legally. However, you are also doing so in another aspect, financially. So, what should you do pertaining to your credit, and credit cards when you are in the midst of a divorce?

Credit and Its Correlation To Divorce

The majority of individuals today have a credit card, whether it is one for emergencies, or a few for the incentives and rewards that come along with using it. However, it can also be said by today’s standard that the majority of credit card users are also in debt. Yet, some people do know how to manage their credit cards and bills accordingly. When you have a credit card, or other items that you pay monthly bills on you begin to have a credit score, or credit ranking. This number can help you make large purchases in the future such as a car, a home, or maybe help you financially in the future as well.

Your Name, Your Money, Your Rights

However, during a divorce, many cases come to light that show that when spouses had a joint credit card, or a credit card in the other’s name they not only went overboard spending, but also devastated the other’s credit score in the process. Many people think that their credit score can recover from this, or they can explain the circumstances as to why it’s dropped so low. Yet, many businesses, and companies don’t deal with your circumstances at the time, but what the number actually tells them.

In this case, you can easily avoid in credit issues when dealing with your divorce by doing a few simply things. To start, you should cancel any credit cards that your spouse holds that are in your name, or cancel those that are in both of your names since you are now becoming divorced. Next, you should get your credit report from three major credit agencies such as TransUnion®, Experian® and Equifax. After that, make sure that once a year you get a credit report to make sure that there are not any unforeseen changes.

When you or a loved one is in the midst of a divorce and have experienced credit card problems, debt, or damage to your credit report speak to an experienced divorce attorney today in order to make sure your rights are properly fought for.

Contact The Law Office of Alex Tyra, P.C. For a Free Consultation When you need assistance from an experienced attorney or if you need to better understand you legal options, contact The Law Office of Alex Tyra, P.C., at (903) 753-7499.  All initial consultations are free.  Phone calls are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

 

Be Smart In A Divorce In Texas

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A divorce that is prevented is better than the other alternative. Statistics show half of all marriages end in divorce. Over two-thirds of those divorces are not desired but one of the parties involved. The spouse wanting out controls when and how the divorce is discussed and addressed initially. The spouse opposed to the divorce is often caught off guard but needs to quickly get on track and hire an experienced attorney. If you do not plan ahead it can be harmful in the long run. Whether you are the spouse filing for the divorce or the spouse defending against it, legal counsel is the best way to be adequately prepared.

Many issues require immediate consideration in an approaching divorce. Protecting the children is an immediate concern followed by protecting property, income and preventing as much damage as possible to the entire situation and all involved. Immediate and extended families will all be affected. Divorce is an emotional rollercoaster that should not be handled alone. Legal counsel can guide you through the steps as well as provide marriage or therapeutic counselors names to lessen the blow or if possible prevent the outcome of divorce. An experienced attorney will also emphasize the need for financial planning and guide you in appropriate directions.

Ultimately you must protect yourself and look out for your own needs and interest. The need to be the responsible adult and look out for the children also rests with the primary caretaker. Divorce is rarely enjoyable and agreeable to both parties in all the circumstances involved. Planning ahead for the unforeseeable is where legal counsel is also beneficial. Don’t count on a spouse always being nice. Divorce brings out the worst in most people it involves. Hiring an attorney early that will fight for you gives you an advantage over procrastinating in hopes of it going smoothly or simply disappearing.

Let us assist you and lessen the impact to your family. The Law Office of Alex Tyra, P.C., provides effective and compassionate legal counsel for family law services. When you need assistance from an experienced attorney or if you need to better understand you legal options, contact The Law Office of Alex Tyra, P.C., at (903) 753-7499.  All initial consultations are free.  Phone calls are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are located in Longview, Texas, and represents clients throughout East Texas including Smith County, Gregg County, Upshur County, Marion County, Cass County, Rusk County, Bowie County, Panola County, Wood County, and Harrison County.  Law Office of Alex Tyra, P.C. is serves the following cities Longview, Marshall, Liberty City, Lakeport, Hallsville, Warren City, White Oak, East Mountain, Clarksville City, Gladewater, Big Sandy, Kilgore,  Gilmer, Jefferson, Linden, Atlanta, Henderson, Texarkana, Tyler and Carthage.