Category: Blog

Have you shared a home with your partner for a significant amount of time and have decided to separate? You may be wondering if you are in what the state of Texas refers to as a common law marriage. Texas is considered a community property state, which means even if you have not gone through a legal marriage, there are still certain rights, especially when it comes to property division, that the state of Texas recognizes. The attorneys at Renken Law Firm are here to help you enforce and protect your legal rights after separating from your common law spouse. This can be an especially difficult case to handle without legal representation. If you have any questions or concerns involving your separation, property division, or custody, contact our office today. We work with our clients to help them protect the best interest of themselves and their family. Am I in a Common Law Marriage? Whenever you are trying to determine if you are in a common law marriage in Texas, you must meet the following requirements: -A declaration of marriage signed by both parties or the couple presents themselves to others as a married couple. If you are unsure if your relationship qualifies as a common law marriage in the state of Texas, contact our law office today. We can help you to understand your options moving forward and get you the long term results you are looking for in your case. Common Law Divorce For couples who do meet the requirements for common law marriage, a divorce in the state of Texas will come with the same rights and responsibilities, as those who are participants in a traditional marriage. The main element that separates a common law divorce from a traditional divorce is that you must first be able

While there are many things that will be swimming through your mind when it comes to filing for a divorce, the most important thing to consider will be what actions you need to take in order to protect yourself, and your children. Protecting your rights and your most important assets during the divorce proceedings can be difficult for those who are unfamiliar with how divorces and the court process work. A mistake made by many people during their divorce is trying to hide their assets, instead of coming up with a strong argument for why they belong to them. Hiding assets more often than not is unsuccessful, and by trying to hide them from Texas courts, you are putting yourself at higher risk for losing them due to your dishonest actions. Working with an experienced divorce attorney, such as those at Renken Law Firm, can help you to protect yourself so that you can go on living your life. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you during your divorce process and get you the results you are looking for. Listed below are some of the best ways you can protect your assets and rights:     Coming Clean About Your Assets: While it may not seem like the best choice in the moment, the smartest way to protect your assets is to be completely transparent about them with your divorce attorney. Whenever you are up front and honest, you are giving your attorney the ability to properly negotiate the terms of your assets in the divorce. Protect the assets you wish to retain and prevent yourself from being faced with any legal consequences that come along with hiding your assets during a divorce. The legal team at Renken Law Firm is here to help you get

What Is Mediation In A Divorce? Mediation is an alternative route couples seeking divorce may choose to take, in order to reach an amicable agreement for matters involving property division, finances, and in some cases even custody of a child. This process is more private than other means of divorce because the agreement is made between both spouses, while a neutral third party, the mediator, helps to ensure the agreement reached is mutually beneficial. Mediation is helpful in cases where couples are looking to avoid lengthy court appearances and the additional attorney fees that come with long, drawn out divorces. Attorney Dawn Renken has been helping couples achieve a compromise that works for both of their long term needs. In 2014, Attorney Renken became a licensed mediator, earning this title through ADR Services International Inc. If you and your spouse are actively looking to work through your divorce together, Renken Law Firm can help. We work hard to help families maintain their lifestyles and come to a divorce agreement that suits everyone’s needs. If you are located in the Greater Houston area and are seeking a mediation attorney, contact Renken Law Firm. Our team of legal professionals can help you to determine what you need from your divorce and how to move forward with the next chapter of your family’s life. Is Divorce Mediation Right For Me? While many people may be unfamiliar with divorce mediation, it is one of the most popular options for couples looking to resolve their marriage quickly and amicably. There are many benefits for couples who choose this direction for their divorce, including but not limited to: High Success Rate: When couples have chosen to work out the terms of their divorce with the help of a licensed mediation attorney, such as Attorney Renken, they

Is It Possible To Get Sole Custody of My Child? While most Texas courts prefer to award shared custody between both parents, in some cases this is not in the best interest of the child. When a Texas judge is presented with evidence that supports this, sole custody may be awarded to one parent. Sole custody means that the child or children in the case, will reside primarily with that parent and exclusively has the right to make decisions that involve choices about the child’s upbringing.  The reason most courts prefer to award parents joint custody, is to ensure the child is being given the opportunity to have and maintain a healthy and meaningful relationship with both parents. In cases where joint custody is awarded to parents, the child will still primarily reside with one parent, while the other parent will be granted fair and adequate visitation rights. Additionally, in cases where the parents share custody like this, they will also share the decision-making when it comes to raising the child. Mandatory Parenting Class in Texas Often times in the state of Texas, following a divorce, Texas courts will require parents with underage children to successfully complete a mandatory parenting class before finalizing their divorce. Texas courts will always put the best interest of the child or children involved before everything else. The completion of this course is mandatory in order to help parents and their children overcome the negative impacts of divorce and separation. In some rare cases Texas courts will grant a waiver, allowing the parents to forgo this requirement. The course is now offered online to help parents maintain their lifestyle and focus their time on their children. If you are considering divorce and have questions or concerns about the custody of your child, contact Renken Law

We understand, when couples decide they want to dissolve their marriage, they would like to get through the process as quickly as possible. However, in the state of Texas there are some factors you will want to take into consideration in order to have an accurate understanding of how long your divorce will take. For instance, in the state of Texas, the courts do not recognize legal separation. This means, even if you and your spouse have been living apart the last year, this time apart will not count as time spent apart. Texas requires a minimum period of 60 days to pass after the official petition for divorce before finalizing a divorce. So while it is possible to be divorced within 61 days, this does not necessarily mean a quick divorce is what is in the best interest of you or your family. Working with an experienced divorce attorney, such as the ones at Renken Law Firm, can help you to fight for what matters most to you in your divorce. We work to provide our clients with long term solutions that meet the needs of their family as quickly as possible. If you are contemplating filing for divorce or have questions surrounding your current situation, contact Renken Law Firm in Houston today! Community Property in Houston Since Texas does not recognize legal separation, you will want to quickly start your divorce process one you have made the decision to dissolve your marriage. This is because even if you are living an entirely separate life from your spouse, all property and debt acquired by either part with be considered community property in Texas. Even if the property is specifically titled to one spouse, the ownership will still be shared among both partners. While this can be a negative for

Marriage is a popular choice for many couples throughout the country. Unfortunately, it is approximated that nearly half of all marriages end in divorce. If you find yourself in the Greater Houston area, in a marriage you wish to dissolve, the attorneys at Renken Law Firm are here to help you. We understand divorces are difficult, financially and emotionally for the families going through them. We want to help eliminate all additional stresses and help you reach a divorce settlement that meets your long term needs following the marriage. Working with an experienced family law attorney can greatly benefit you in a divorce. Not only do attorneys help you file all of the proper paperwork, they also help ensure you are exploring your divorce from all angles. It is always better to come up with a comprehensive divorce agreement before it is finalized, instead of making amendments to an agreement that has already been finalized. Do not face your divorce on your own, instead contact Renken Law Firm to learn how we can help you get through your divorce quickly and rationally. Custody Battle in Houston If you are currently seeking a divorce but have concerns about coming to a custody agreement for your children that works for your family, contact Renken Law Firm. We fight for families to help protect the best interest of the children involved in a divorce. We understand how important the well-being of your children is to you and will do everything we can to ensure your divorce agreement reflects their specific needs. If you have already gone through a divorce in the state of Texas but the other parent of your child is not living up to the custody agreement you settle on, we can help. Further litigation after a divorce is not ideal,

Going through a divorce is often considered one of the most stressful and costly processes someone can experience. This can make an already emotionally draining experience, even more draining for the parties involved. At Renken Law Firm, we believe in helping our clients dissolve their marriage in a rational and affordable way. We understand how difficult it can be to go from living as a partnership, to figuring out how to make your finances and life work single. Whether you are filing for a contested or uncontested divorce, the attorneys at Renken Law Firm are here to help you. We understand your situation is unique and will come with its own set of needs. Let us help you come to a divorce agreement that works for you long term so you can focus on the things that really matter in your life. Contact our legal office today to learn more about how we can help you reach an agreement in your case that works for your family. Custody Agreement in Houston In divorce cases that involve children, the stakes are higher. The attorneys at Renken Law Firm are here to help your family find resolution for your case. We understand how disruptive a divorce can be for your child or children and want to do everything we can to help you come to a rational and long term solution for your family. If you have already divorced your spouse and they are failing to live up to the terms of your divorce agreement, contact Renken Law Firm. We know engaging in further litigation following a divorce is the last thing anyone wants to do but in some circumstances it is unavoidable. Let us help your family come to a custody and child support agreement that works for your lifestyle. Property

Divorces can be emotionally draining and stressful for every party involved. Working with a divorce attorney who offers you excellent legal representation has the potential to make your divorce process go smoothly and help you find an agreement that meets the long term needs of your family. Being prepared by knowing the best questions to ask a prospective family law attorney can help you to weed out the attorneys that offer less than excellent services. Another factor to consider in divorce cases that involve child custody, is finding an attorney that not only is a Board Certified Family law specialist, but also is proficient in handling settlements in a courtroom. It is critical that your Houston divorce attorney has a strong understanding of all relevant family code statutes in the county of your case. Whenever it is time to interview an attorney, here are some of the main questions you may want to focus on: -Have you completed any specialized training or earned a certification in family law that distinguishes you as a divorce specialist? -How many years have you been handling divorce cases? -How long have you been practicing law in Harris County? -How much courtroom experience do you have? -How many cases have you taken to trial? -Are you trained in mediation and collaborative practice? -How long should I expect my divorce to take? -Will we be able to communicate directly? -What are you hourly fees? When you are looking for the best representation for your divorce case in Houston, TX- contact Renken Law Firm. Our team is here to help you come up with a divorce agreement that works for your lifestyle. We have the experience and knowledge required to negotiate your needs and get you the results you need to live your life with as little

Whatever your reason for seeking a divorce attorney in the Houston Heights, Renken Law Firm is here for you. We are a law firm with a specialized practice in family law. It is our mission to help every client we work with find long term legal solutions for their lifestyle. Whether you are looking to file for a contested or uncontested divorce, our attorneys can help to ensure you are making the best choices for your unique financial and personal situation. Divorces are known to be emotionally tasking and stressful, don’t go through them alone, instead contact Renken Law Firm today. The state of Texas does not recognize legal separation, making your time precious, contact us to get your divorce process started as quickly as possible. Uncontested Divorce Attorney Houston While filing for an uncontested divorce in Houston is a best case scenario for couples wishing to dissolve their marriage, these cases do not exclude the need for a divorce attorney. In fact, in situations where couples are in agreement and wish to quickly dissolve their marriage, many financial and family factors are often overlooked. This can mean major trouble for both parties down the road, when situations arise that they may not have prepared for. The attorneys at Renken Law Firm are here to help couples, in all situations, come to a divorce settlement that prepares them for the future. It is much easier to come up with a settlement before a divorce is finalized then try to alter a settlement afterwards. Working with an experienced divorce attorney will also ensure that all of your divorce paperwork is filed properly and without error. This helps to alleviate the stress of making such a large decision and keeps your divorce from being extended. Broken Divorce Agreement Houston If you have

If you and your partner have come to an amicable agreement that you would like to dissolve your marriage, you will be filing an uncontested divorce. This means, you will submit your divorce agreement to a court for their approval to make it finalized. A mistake many parties in uncontested divorces make it failing to involve a divorce attorney in their uncontested divorce. Not only does working without an attorney leave the burden of properly filing all necessary paperwork completely on you, it may leave your vulnerable to financial pitfalls in the future. Often, in uncontested divorces we find that both parties are in a rush to get their divorce over with and do not always have the knowledge or take the time needed to ensure their divorce agreement will work as a long term solution for both parties. There are many things that will need to be taken into consideration for couples choosing to file for divorce in Houston, TX. Texas is a community property state, this means, in addition to all assets incurred during the marriage, all debts amassed will be divided. This means property, inheritance, previous settlements, loans, credit card debt, and much more will all be taken into consideration. Additionally, if you have children that are under the age of 18, custody will also be a factor looked at in your divorce. If you are rushing to file a divorce quickly and without an attorney, you run the risk of overlooking important factors that can impact the outcome of your divorce agreement. It is much easier to come up with an agreement before the divorce that works for both parties, than it will be to have a settlement altered afterwards. The attorneys at Renken Law Firm are the best uncontested divorce lawyers in Houston. We work