San Antonio Family Law Blog

Divorce can emotionally affect adult children

On behalf of Randy Mora posted in divorce on Thursday, April 19, 2018.

A marital breakup in Texas can understandably be hard on young children, but it can also be challenging for adult children. This is particularly true for adult children who are close to both parents. A few tips may help those getting a divorce later in life to protect their adult children from unnecessary pain and drama during this type of family law proceeding.

First, divorcing spouses may be wise to avoid telling their adult children every detail of the marital breakup. Just because they are adults does not necessarily mean they need to know everything about the divorce process. After all, this can stress them out and even make them feel uncomfortable, particularly if the details are too personal.

Divorce does not have to be wrought with conflict

On behalf of Randy Mora posted in divorce on Thursday, April 12, 2018.

A marital breakup can quickly spark both emotional and financial conflict. After all, two divorcing spouses in Texas essentially have to break apart what they may have spent years or even decades building together. However, a willingness to see the other side's viewpoint may go a long way in helping to resolve divorce issues in the most amicable way possible.

Two divorcing spouses may have very different ideas about how their issues should be handled. For instance, perhaps one spouse would like to hold onto the marital home. Meanwhile, the other spouse may want to sell the house and split the proceeds between the two spouses.

Couples therapists generally leave divorce decision to couple

On behalf of Randy Mora posted in divorce on Thursday, April 5, 2018.

The goal of a couples therapist is to help two married people to better understand each other's wishes and needs. However, sometimes this is easier said than done in Texas. Should the therapist suggest that the couple get a divorce if the future of their marriage looks bleak?

Therapists in general agree that recommending divorce in couples therapy is a major no-no. In fact, it is typically viewed as unethical. Instead, therapists strive to let two spouses who are at odds with each other make their own decisions about whether to continue fighting for their marriage or end the relationship.

Gray divorce may ruin retirement plans

On behalf of Randy Mora posted in divorce on Thursday, March 29, 2018.

More married couples in Texas and elsewhere are deciding to breakup near their golden years. This may seem like a convenient time to break up a marriage since the children are grown at this stage of the parents' lives. However, from a financial standpoint, it can be an inconvenient time to get a divorce.

Research shows fewer young adults are getting divorced, whereas gray divorce -- or divorce later in life -- is skyrocketing. In fact, the rate of divorce among adults 50 years old and older is now two times what it was in the 1990s. Meanwhile, the rate is triple what it was in the 1990s for those 65 years old and older.

Counseling may be a wise move prior to filing for divorce

On behalf of Randy Mora posted in divorce on Thursday, March 22, 2018.

The process of getting divorced in Texas can certainly take an emotional and a financial toll on a couple. However, sometimes, divorce can be avoided. Counseling may be an option for couples who are on the fence about getting divorced and are interested in trying to preserve their marriages first.

Couples interested in going to counseling may benefit from securing sessions with a counselor who has a background in family systems. This is critical because spouses' family backgrounds and experiences help to shape their world views. These world views, in turn, impact how they view their relationships -- including their own marriages.

Dividing retirement assets may spark confusion during divorce

On behalf of Randy Mora posted in divorce on Thursday, March 15, 2018.

Dissolving a marriage can be difficult both emotionally and financially, no matter how short or long of a time two people were married. However, it can be particularly unsettling for those who are nearing retirement, as they may be worried about how the divorce will affect their finances in their golden years. Understanding the law when it comes to splitting retirement assets in particular is critical when navigating divorce in Texas.

For those who need to split employer-sponsored retirement benefits, such as a pension plan or 401(k), a QDRO is necessary. A QDRO is a qualified domestic relations order. An attorney can easily draft this type of order for a divorcing couple.

Steps important to take after divorce has been finalized

On behalf of Randy Mora posted in divorce on Thursday, March 8, 2018.

Getting through the dissolution of a marriage in Texas can feel like a harrowing feat. However, once the dust has settled, the uneasy feeling that one experiences during the process may not necessarily go away after the divorce has been finalized. A couple of tips may help individuals to navigate the aftermath of a marital breakup.

First, ensuring that all legal matters are settled is paramount. For instance, two divorced spouses may have an order to equalize or divide retirement accounts. To achieve this, they must make sure that their qualified domestic relations order, or QDRO, has been prepared and is implemented accordingly. A common misconception when it comes to retirement accounts is that once a judge has signed a QDRO, nothing else has to be done. This, of course, could not be farther from the truth.

Marital property sale can be challenging during divorce

On behalf of Randy Mora posted in divorce on Thursday, March 1, 2018.

The dissolution of a marriage can be complicated for both emotional and financial reasons. However, one of the most complex parts of getting a divorce is the sale of the marital home, even if two spouses easily agree to it. A couple of tips might help those navigating real estate sales during the divorce process in Texas.

When embarking on the sale of a home during divorce, choosing a real estate agent who is experienced in working with divorcing couples is paramount. After all, these types of real estate agents realize that both parties may not necessarily want to see each other during the home selling process. As a result, they are willing to meet with or talk to both parties separately to get the job done.

Being financially stable after divorce is possible

On behalf of Randy Mora posted in divorce on Wednesday, February 21, 2018.

The process of getting divorced can understandably be overwhelming, not just emotionally but also financially. For this reason, developing a strategic plan is necessary to prepare for the financial impact of divorce. A few tips may help with protecting one's financial future post divorce in Texas.

First, spouses going through divorce may be wise to assess their assets early on. Understanding what they will be able to handle financially is imperative, as their standards of living will likely change following divorce. In some cases, selling the family home and downsizing might be necessary to maintain a workable budget. This can be challenging if a spouse is emotionally attached to the house, but it may be the only path toward a financially stable future.

Transitioning smoothly to life after divorce is possible

On behalf of Randy Mora posted in divorce on Thursday, February 15, 2018.

Going through a marital breakup in Texas can seem difficult for both emotional and financial reasons. However, the sooner a divorcing spouse embraces the chance to live life according to his or her own terms in the future, the easier the breakup will be. A couple of tips may help divorcing individuals to prepare effectively for life post divorce.

First, deciding where to live is an important step while one is going through divorce. Once this decision is made, the divorcing spouse can move forward with securing a permanent living arrangement. Doing this early on can make the transition to post-divorce life much easier.