Montgomery County Family Law Blog

Money continues to be a major source of conflict for couples in Texas and elsewhere. As a result, it is a top reason for divorce in the United States. Massive debt and financial infidelity frequently drive couples to part ways.

In some situations, one spouse may be more apt to save money versus accumulating debt. Meanwhile, the other spouse may have a tendency to spend large sums of money and rack up significant debt on credit cards. These two philosophies can readily cause irreconcilable differences that lead to divorce.

During the process of getting divorced, two parents in Texas may understandably be worried about how they will approach child custody. In the past, dads were often treated as peripheral figures, with mothers taking center stage and receiving primary custody. However, today, more emphasis is being placed on allowing fathers to play active roles in their children's lives post divorce.

According to research, divorce can actually help fathers to become better dads -- a suggestion that is transforming custodial norms today. According to experts, fathers often have more varied experiences with their children following divorce. This is because when a divorced father spends time alone with the children, he has more of an opportunity to connect with the children on an emotional level -- something that only the mother may have done prior to the divorce.

Getting divorced in Texas can be financially and mentally challenging. Fortunately, the moments after divorce can offer some much-needed relief from the hustle and bustle of a divorce proceeding. Nonetheless, those who have just gone through divorce may want to make a few important moves to put themselves in the best position to succeed after divorce.

For starters, those who are newly divorced might want to make certain that their legal matters are all squared away. This includes, for example, ascertaining that the qualified domestic relations order has been implemented, if retirement funds were divided during the marital dissolution process. This type of order, which a judge signs, is used to split retirement plan money or pension plan funds.

Summer vacation is an opportunity for you and your children to spend quality time together. It's not a time to argue with your ex over details related to custody and visitation.

Since your ex-spouse is likely to put up a fight, it's important to understand the many steps you can take to plan and enjoy every aspect of your summer vacation. Here are some things to do:

• Settle on a vacation schedule as soon as possible: The sooner you do this, the sooner you can share it with your ex. This lessens the likelihood of planning a trip that interferes with your ex's plans.
• Review your custody agreement: Remember, you can't do whatever you want in regard to summer vacation. Your custody agreement may include conditions that limit what you can do. For example, it may note that you're not permitted to travel outside the state or country with your children.
• Talk about the details: You don't have to provide your ex with every detail of your trip, such as how much it costs, but those associated with your children should be shared. For example, let them know when you're leaving, where you're staying and when you're arriving back home.
• Don't cut off communication during your trip: If your ex has questions or concerns while you're gone, address them to the best of your ability. Also, make it clear to your children that they're encouraged to stay in touch with their other parent. They can do so via text, phone and email, among other channels.
• Compromise: If your vacation schedule is making life difficult on your ex, see if there's a compromise that will make you both happy. It's not something you necessarily want to do, but it's in the best interest of maintaining a healthy relationship.