Lone Star Divorce: The NEW Edition: What Everyone Should Know About Family Breakups in Texas Book

Where to Begin
The Big Decision     20
Imagine Life After Divorce
Consider Other Solutions
A Successful Divorce
Successful Divorce Principles
Basic Truths of a Texas Divorce
Once Your Mind is Made Up     29
Which Route to Take
Financial Steps to Prepare for Divorce
Your Spouse's Evil Twin
Restrict Your Story to a Limited Number of People
Telling Your Children
Helping Your Children Through the Divorce
Hiring a Family Lawyer     39
Trust Cautiously
Representing Yourself
Match Your Attorney to Your Circumstances
Interviewing Lawyers
How Much Do Attorneys Charge?
Keeping Fees Reasonable
Ten Strategies for Controlling Legal Fees
A Word About Retainers
You Will Probably Pay Your Own Fees
Request Regular Bills
Talk About Expenses
Form a Partnership with Your Attorney
Nontraditional Living Arrangements     54
Common Law Marriage
Living Together
Children of Unmarried Parents
Palimony in Texas
Annulment
Family Violence     61
Alleging Abuse in a Divorce Proceeding
Signs of Physical Abuse
Documenting Abuse
Involving the Authorities
Protective Orders
Educating Parents
Preparing Your Case
Collaborative Law: Following a New Pathway     70
A Novel Approach
Participation Agreement
Expectations of Conduct in Collaborative Law
Role of Attorneys
A Team of Neutral Experts
Multiple Benefits
When it Doesn't Work
Finding a Collaborative Lawyer
Shaping an Uncontested Divorce     79
KeepingConflict to a Minimum
Preparing the Correct Documents
Remaining Friends with Your Spouse
When Your Spouse Is Suddenly the Enemy
The Preparation Stage     84
Temporary Restraining Orders
Other Temporary Orders
Premarital Agreements
Be an Information Magnet
Hidden Assets
Spying, Sneaking and Snooping
Hiring a Private Investigator
Using Video or Audio Evidence
Keeping Your Attorney Informed
Building a Winning Case     95
Requests for Disclosure
Interrogatories
Requests for Production of Documents
Requests for Admissions
Depositions
Mediation May Be Required     102
Explaining the Process
For Most Texans, It's Mandatory
Beware of Mediation Abusers
Remember the Children
The Kitchen Table Deal
Who's at Fault?     107
The Role of Fault in a No-Fault State
Types of Fault
Disproportionate Division of Property
Can You Prove It?
Take Time to Evaluate Your Attorney     113
Attorney-Client Mismatch
Lack of Communication
Too Much Activity
Legal Eagle, Fly Away
Decisions Involving Children and Assets
Custody of the Children     122
The History of Custody
Types of Custody
Texas Law Favors Joint Custody
When Is Sole Custody Appropriate?
Who Should Be the Primary Custodian?
What You Should Know Before a Custody Fight
Custody/Visitation Problems
Standard Visitation and Access
Sharing Your Children
Parenting Classes
Child Support     136
Calculating Child Support
Special Circumstances
Child Support Collection
Support for College
Alimony and Maintenance     143
The Alimony Statute
The Alimony Reality
How the Court Decides
Temporary Spousal Support
Insurance and Taxes     147
Tax Liabilities and Refunds
Health Insurance for the Children
Health Insurance for the Spouse
Life Insurance
What You Should Do With the House     154
How Important is the House?
Consider Your Housing Options
Selling the House
Keeping the House Yourself
Transferring the Residence from One Spouse to the Other
Temporary Use by One Spouse
Impact of Keeping the Existing Mortgage
Tax Consequences
Dividing Assets     166
Community Property
How the Court Divides Property
You Should Decide
Household and Personal Items
Retirement Accounts
Closely Held Businesses
Wills and Beneficiaries
Dividing Debts     177
Specifically Which Debts?
Who's Responsible?
Factors Considered in Apportioning Debt
Strategies for Dealing with Debt
Going to Court
Our Court System     186
Temporary Hearings
Courtroom Cast of Characters
Judge or Jury?
Preparing for Trial     191
Preparing to Testify
Get Friends and Family to Court
Get Plenty of Rest
Your Day in Court     195
The Shifting Court Calendar
How to Present Yourself
Keep Your Cool on the Stand
Answer Truthfully and Concisely
Basic Rules for Giving Testimony
Once Your Divorce Becomes Final
After Your Case is Tried (or Settled)      204
What's Next?
If You Want to Appeal
Uncovering Deception
Enforcing Your Decree     208
Flexible or By the Book
Take Stock of Your Situation Each Year
Give and You Shall Receive
Contempt Actions
Changes Regarding Children     214
Change of Custody
Child Support Modifications
Modifying Visitation
Relocation
Getting On With Your Life     222
The Second Time Around
Prenups and Postnups
Strive for a Successful Divorce
Bibliography     228
List of Texas Divorce Professionals     230
Appendices
Glossary     242
Sample Joint Custody Language     256
Standard Possession Order     262
Post-Divorce Checklist     276
IRS Form 8332     278
Texas Divorce Resources     279