Next with Lena Nguyen

Who is the father of the child? In Texas, there are 5 ways in which a man can become the legal father of a child.

A petition is filed with the court to begin the divorce process. Once the court accepts your petition, you will need to serve your spouse. This is also referred to as service of process.

In family law cases that involve children, the very first thing that must be established is whether or not a parent-child relationship exists. Usually, the answer as to who the child’s mother is is not an issue. Texas Family Code Section 160.204 covers presumption of paternity.

To calculate child support amounts, courts look at the net resources of the party ordered to pay. What do courts consider as income, and what sources figure into net resources? Here are 20 sources of income courts will use to calculate the child support amount.

If you have been served, usually by a process server or a constable, you will receive a copy of the petition that was filed by your ex-spouse. It will state important information such as your case number and the court your case is assigned to. Now that you’ve been served, what should you do?

Residency requirements must be met by one or both of the parties in order for a Texas court to grant a divorce. How does a Texas court acquire the power to impose personal obligations, such as spousal support, on your nonresident spouse?

After your spouse has filed for divorce, you were probably served divorce papers. What steps should you immediately take?

This is also known as an acknowledgement of paternity. However, in Texas, there are 5 steps that must be followed for the acknowledgement to be valid.

To calculate child support amounts, courts look at the net resources of the party ordered to pay. What do courts consider as income, and what sources figure into net resources?

Current child support is calculated by 1) determining the monthly “net resources” of the party ordered to pay (also known as the obligor), 2) applying the Texas Child Support Guidelines against the monthly “net resources” amount, and 3) adjusting the child support amount with any deviating factors.

In a Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCR) or a divorce with children, there are 5 different types of child support a court can award.

In Texas, 61 days must have passed before a divorce decree can be filed with the court. The following is a list of what is usually included in a Texas Divorce Decree. The more complex the divorce, the more sections and clauses a decree will have.

A divorce decree is a final court order that officially ends the marriage. Regardless of whether your divorce was resolved through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or a trial, a divorce decree is necessary to sum up the rights and duties of the parties in connection with the divorce.

In divorces involving children, a visitation schedule for each parent’s time with their children is included in the final decree of divorce. Texas has what is called a Standard Possession Order (SPO) that serves as a guide in dividing parenting time. The following is a breakdown of the summer possession schedule for couples that reside less than 100 miles apart.

A jury is a randomized group of United States citizens chosen to decide the outcome of cases. A jury can give binding verdicts (a final outcome) and/or advisory options (this is what we think should be the outcome). Texas is one of the few states that permits a jury consisting of 12 members and 2 alternates to make decisions in family law cases. The following are some binding and advisory issues a jury can hear.

What is the difference between the date a judgment is rendered and the entry of judgment date? What date is considered the date of your divorce?

Same-sex marriage, also known as gay marriage, is when two people of the same sex or gender enter into a civil or ceremonial union. Is same-sex marriage legal in the United States? Here are five important facts you should know about same-sex marriage in the United States.

In divorces involving children, a visitation schedule for each parent’s time with their children is included in the final decree of divorce. Texas has what is called a Standard Possession Order (SPO) that serves as a guide in dividing parenting time. The following is a breakdown of the order.

Common Law marriage is also referred to as an informal marriage. A marriage legally recognized in one state will be recognized in other states. An informal marriage in Texas is formed if the following requirements are met.