Category: Cities We Serve

Queer Friendly Divorce Attorney in Montrose

Queer Friendly Divorce Attorney in Montrose

An “ally” is defined as “one that is associated with another as a helper; a person or group that provides assistance and support in an ongoing effort, activity or struggle.” In recent years, the term has been adopted specifically to a person supporting a marginalized group.

At Renken Law Firm, our team is dedicated to being an ally for the queer community. We understand how uncomfortable it can be to discuss sensitive family law matters with an attorney or legal team that does not see you as an equal. Our goal it to help all of our clients seek justice and protect their rights without fear of judgement or a lack of compassion.

We handle matters from queer adoption and queer divorce, to property division and even protective orders in cases of domestic violence. When you are in need of a legal team to advocate for your best interest, reach out to Renken Law Firm in Houston, TX.

OutSmart Magazine’s Annual Gayest & Greatest 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards

For the past 25 years, OutSmart has celebrated Houston’s LGBTQ fan favorites with our annual Gayest & Greatest Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers participate in the competition by voting for their top choices in a variety of categories—from people in our community to the arts, to real estate, and nightlife. This year’s winners will be announced in our October 2022 issue.

You can vote for Renken Law Firm Here!

Queer Friendly Family Attorney in Houston

Our team proudly serves the Greater Houston area, including but not limited to Brazos County, Cypress, Fort Bend County, Galveston, Houston Heights, Houston, Humble, Katy, Kingwood, Memorial Houston, Montgomery County, Montrose, Richmond, Rosenberg, Spring, The Woodlands. All marriages are different, making each divorce equally unique with its own set of needs that must be addressed. Contact our law office to explore your options moving forward, and find out how we can help you.

 

Renken Law Firm, PLLC
11500 Northwest Fwy #586
Houston, TX 77092
(713) 956-6767
https://therenkenlawfirm.com
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Montrose Family Law Attorney

Montrose Family Law Attorney

Family law attorneys are much more than divorce lawyers. They handle a wide range of issues including property division, domestic disputes, child custody, adoptions, prenuptial/postnuptial agreements, and other legal issues. The attorneys at Renken Law Firm are here to give you legal advice and help you navigate some of the most difficult times in your life. Read below to learn more about when a family attorney’s legal services can help you.

Reasons to Hire a Family Law Attorney

Most family lawyers represent clients in divorce proceedings and other matters related to divorce. But family law is a relatively broad practice area, including such issues as foster care and reproductive rights. Since family law matters hit so close to home, having a trusted legal professional by your side can help you ensure your loved ones are properly represented and protected during any legal process.

The most common reasons to hire a family law attorney include:

  • Divorce: Each partner hires their own attorney, who will help devise a settlement plan in order to avoid a trial. Divorce attorneys typically are skilled at dividing marital property, calculating spousal support, and proposing a plan for child custody, visitation, and support (if applicable).
  • Child Custody / Child Support: Court orders and settlement agreements involving both custody and support usually are included in the larger divorce case, but may be revisited as conditions change. For instance, child support may be altered after the non-custodial parent’s financial situation changes.
  • Paternity: In most cases, paternity cases are filed by the mother in an effort to secure child support payments from an absent father. But sometimes biological fathers file for paternity in order to have a relationship with their child. Paternity typically is determined through DNA testing.
  • Adoption / Foster Care: Adoption is a complex process that differs according to the type of adoption, where the child is from, variances in state laws, and other factors. Therefore, it’s important to consult with a family law attorney. Foster parents sometimes adopt their foster children, but the foster process does not necessarily require legal representation.

Why Choose Renken Law Firm?

Our team is committed to aggressively and efficiently advocating for your best interest every step of the way . We customize our representation to the needs of your case. Throughout the process, we will keep you involved. We are transparent, providing honest information about the progress of your case and strive to achieve the best possible outcome.

Divorce is a personal journey and the attorneys at Renken Law Firm, PLLC understand that. Our representation begins with a free consultation where you have an opportunity to meet us and begin to form that relationship necessary to succeed. Renken Law Firm, PLLC practices exclusively family law, we do not dabble. Having an experienced, aggressive, knowledgeable attorney at your side is vital when it comes to having a successful divorce.

 

Affordable Family Lawyer Serving Houston, TX

Our team proudly serves the Greater Houston area, including but not limited to Brazos County, Cypress, Fort Bend County, Galveston, Houston Heights, Houston, Humble, Katy, Kingwood, Memorial Houston, Montgomery County, Montrose, Richmond, Rosenberg, Spring, The Woodlands. All marriages are different, making each divorce equally unique with its own set of needs that must be addressed. Contact our law office to explore your options moving forward, and find out how we can help you.

 

Renken Law Firm, PLLC
11500 Northwest Fwy #586
Houston, TX 77092
(713) 956-6767
https://therenkenlawfirm.com
Google Business Listing

Richmond TX Divorce Lawyer

Divorce Mediation Lawyer in Richmond TX

What Is Divorce Mediation?

Divorce mediation is an alternative divorcing method, for couples that are willing to work together to reach a divorce agreement. This process involves a neutral third party: the mediator. The mediator works to help both spouses negotiate and communicate while trying to make decisions about their future.

Divorce mediation is private, affordable, and allows both parties to have more control over the final decisions that are made in their divorce. Divorce mediation is successful when both parties are willing to put their emotions aside and work together to dissolve the marriage.

Family law attorney, Dawn Renken is a licensed mediator who can provide helpful legal advice throughout your divorce case. This includes resolving disputes, creating a child custody schedule, settling on child support payments, property divisions, and much more.

 

The Involvement of a Mediator in Negotiations

Couples tend not to consider divorce until communication and trust are deeply broken. Once a relationship has devolved to the point of separation, it’s unlikely that a couple can communicate effectively about their marriage’s dissolution. However, communication is necessary to divide the family’s assets and protect the well-being of any children. A divorce mediator is a neutral party who helps oversee and facilitate communication between spouses in the hopes of conducting productive proceedings.

Mediators make sure that divorcing spouses can communicate with one another without fear of interruption, blaming, name-calling, or misunderstanding. They provide an outline of the issues that need to be addressed and ensure that all are covered prior to the final agreement being drafted. Ultimately, this agreement is the result of thoughtful deliberation. Mediators provide guidance, access to legal information, and assistance in brainstorming for solutions when inevitable conflicts between spouses arise during the process.

 

Typical Mediation Sessions

Sessions are typically one or two hours long, although some mediators block out full or half-days to assist couples with their agreements from start to finish. The mediator helps develop an agenda for each meeting, and ensures that the spouses stick to it and communicate clearly and effectively with one another. Agenda items include custody questions, assets, debts, and any other concerns typical of divorce.

 

Divorce Proceedings Through a Mediator

After each agenda item is adequately addressed and a compromise is reached, the mediator drafts a divorce agreement, generally with the help of a lawyer – unless your mediator is a lawyer. The couple can then review it, either on their own or through an attorney. Papers are then filed in court and the process is brought to a quick close.

 

Affordable Divorce Mediation Lawyer

Our team proudly serves the Greater Houston area, including but not limited to Brazos County, Cypress, Fort Bend County, Galveston, Houston Heights, Houston, Humble, Katy, Kingwood, Memorial Houston, Montgomery County, Montrose, Richmond, Rosenberg, Spring, The Woodlands. All marriages are different, making each divorce equally unique with its own set of needs that must be addressed. Contact our law office to explore your options moving forward, and find out how we can help you.

 

Renken Law Firm, PLLC
11500 Northwest Fwy #586
Houston, TX 77092
(713) 956-6767
https://therenkenlawfirm.com
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Divorce Mediation Attorney Brazoria County TX

What Is Divorce Mediation?

Mediation is a private and informal way to settle conflicts outside of court. In divorce mediation, an impartial third party (a divorce mediator) helps a couple try to negotiate a settlement agreement between them. The issues you mediate might include:

  • Property division
  • Child custody and parenting plans
  • Spousal support (alimony)
  • Child support

Unlike judges, mediators don’t determine who wins and who loses. Instead, they help the divorcing couple reach a solution on their own that works for them.

Mediation typically occurs in several stages: introduction, information gathering, private meetings with the mediator, negotiation, and a final resolution. It can take many mediation sessions before the parties reach a divorce agreement.

If the mediation is unsuccessful in bridging opposing positions, a couple can return to the more traditional adversarial process in which their lawyers will negotiate and litigate on their behalf.

 

Do I Need a Lawyer for Divorce Mediation? What’s a Legal Adviser’s Role?

While you don’t need to have a divorce lawyer in mediation, it can be a good idea to speak to one to know exactly what your legal rights are.

If you underestimate the strength of your legal position, you may “give away the farm;” on the other hand, if you drive too hard a bargain, you may cause the other party to walk away from negotiations.

Before starting mediation, it’s helpful to be familiar with your state’s laws on marital property, how child support is calculated, and so forth. An attorney can educate you on these matters.

An attorney can also assist you in the following ways:

  • Explain the rules and procedures of mediation
  • Help select a mediator (if the mediator isn’t chosen by the court)
  • Prepare you for mediation
  • Help you decide potential settlements
  • Review a proposed settlement for missing details or other potential issues
  • Prepare formal divorce paperwork if you reach a mediated settlement
  • Be sure to have an attorney review any agreement hammered out in mediation sessions before you sign it.

 

How Does Divorce Mediation Work in Texas?

Texas doesn’t have any specific laws or rules on how divorce mediation takes place (except for its requirements for mediated agreements, discussed below). But most divorce mediations follow the same basic stages, including:

  • an orientation
  • identification of issues and gathering of information, and
  • negotiating.

At the end of the process, the mediator may help prepare a written agreement that reflects what you and your spouse have decided during the negotiations. Under Texas law, the mediated settlement agreement will be legally binding as soon as you and your spouse have signed it (along with your lawyers, if you have attorneys), but only if the agreement includes a prominent statement (boldfaced, capitalized, or underlined) that it is “not subject to revocation.”

That statement means that you and your spouse may not change your minds and must follow the provisions in the mediated agreement, even before you get a final divorce decree. This is true whether you signed the agreement during voluntary mediation (before or after filing for divorce) or court-ordered mediation.

Even when a judge has ordered you to participate in mediation, you aren’t required to reach an agreement, and the mediator may never force you to settle your disputes. If mediation is completely unsuccessful—or if you and your spouse agree on some issues but not others—your case will end up in a trial unless you later settle the unresolved issues.

 

Affordable Divorce Mediation Lawyer

Our team proudly serves the Greater Houston area, including but not limited to Brazos County, Cypress, Fort Bend County, Galveston, Houston Heights, Houston, Humble, Katy, Kingwood, Memorial Houston, Montgomery County, Montrose, Richmond, Rosenberg, Spring, The Woodlands. All marriages are different, making each divorce equally unique with its own set of needs that must be addressed. Contact our law office to explore your options moving forward, and find out how we can help you.

 

Renken Law Firm, PLLC
11500 Northwest Fwy #586
Houston, TX 77092
(713) 956-6767
https://therenkenlawfirm.com
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Divorce Mediation Attorney Fort Bend County TX

Divorce Mediation Attorney Fort Bend County TX

When you have made the choice to dissolve your marriage you will want to explore all options for your divorce. Each relationship is unique, making the circumstances of each divorce different. The team at Renken Law Firm wants to help you make the right choices for you and your family. We understand that divorce can be stressful and emotionally draining, this is why we work with you every step of the way to find solutions that work for your needs and budget.

 

What Is Divorce Mediation?

Divorce mediation is a method for divorce that allows open discussion and negotiation. During your divorce mediation, you will work with an experienced divorce mediator, who will remain a neutral third party throughout the entire process. Our divorce mediators are present during negotiations to ensure all important issues are being identified and resolved amicably.

During divorce mediation some of the issues you will discuss include:

  • Distribution of Property
  • Child Custody
  • Child Support
  • Taxes
  • Debt Allocation

Our team will help you reach agreements in your mediation to tackle these issues and other potential problems you will face.

 

Family Law Attorney Near Harris County

Our legal team works hard to help families in Fort Bend County, Texas reach an amicable divorce agreement that suits both parties’ needs. If you are located in the Fort Bend area and are seeking a mediation attorney, contact Renken Law Firm. Our 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.

We have years of experience getting our clients the best results in their divorce. you and your spouse are searching for a divorce method that allows you to work through your divorce together, Renken Law Firm can help. We are dedicated to helping families come to a divorce agreement that suits the needs of all parties in a fair and amicable manner.

Our team of divorce experts offer legal advice that 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. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and to begin the divorce process to move forward in your life.

 

Affordable Divorce Mediation Lawyer

Our team proudly serves the Greater Houston area, including but not limited to Brazos County, Cypress, Fort Bend County, Galveston, Houston Heights, Houston, Humble, Katy, Kingwood, Memorial Houston, Montgomery County, Montrose, Richmond, Rosenberg, Spring, The Woodlands. All marriages are different, making each divorce equally unique with its own set of needs that must be addressed. Contact our law office to explore your options moving forward, and find out how we can help you.

 

Renken Law Firm, PLLC
11500 Northwest Fwy #586
Houston, TX 77092
(713) 956-6767
https://therenkenlawfirm.com
Google Business Listing

Family Law Lawyer The Woodlands TX

Family Law Lawyer The Woodlands TX

Family law is the area of legal practice that pertains to issues involving family relationships. This includes marriage, adoption, divorce, and child custody. Attorneys that practice family law work with clients in family court proceedings, mediation, and other negotiations to protect themselves and children. These attorneys are also able to draft important legal documents to help protect you and your property.

At Renken Law Firm, we work with families to help them navigate many difficult situations. From divorcing couples and division of property to complex dynamics surrounding children, our experienced legal team is here to provide legal advice for your family law issues. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you navigate difficult legal issues.

 

Reasons to Hire a Family Law Attorney

Most family lawyers represent clients in divorce proceedings and other matters related to divorce. But family law is a relatively broad practice area, including such issues as foster care and reproductive rights. Since family law matters hit so close to home, having a trusted legal professional by your side can help you ensure your loved ones are properly represented and protected during any legal process.

The most common reasons to hire a family law attorney include:

  • Divorce: Each partner hires their own attorney, who will help devise a settlement plan in order to avoid a trial. Divorce attorneys typically are skilled at dividing marital property, calculating spousal support, and proposing a plan for child custody, visitation, and support (if applicable).
  • Child Custody / Child Support: Court orders and settlement agreements involving both custody and support usually are included in the larger divorce case, but may be revisited as conditions change. For instance, child support may be altered after the non-custodial parent’s financial situation changes.
  • Paternity: In most cases, paternity cases are filed by the mother in an effort to secure child support payments from an absent father. But sometimes biological fathers file for paternity in order to have a relationship with their child. Paternity typically is determined through DNA testing.
  • Adoption / Foster Care: Adoption is a complex process that differs according to the type of adoption, where the child is from, variances in state laws, and other factors. Therefore, it’s important to consult with a family law attorney. Foster parents sometimes adopt their foster children, but the foster process does not necessarily require legal representation.

 

Family Law Firm Serving The Woodlands, Texas

Our team proudly serves the Greater Houston area, including but not limited to Brazos County, Cypress, Fort Bend County, Galveston, Houston Heights, Houston, Humble, Katy, Kingwood, Memorial Houston, Montgomery County, Montrose, Richmond, Rosenberg, Spring, The Woodlands. All marriages are different, making each divorce equally unique with its own set of needs that must be addressed. Contact our law office to explore your options moving forward, and find out how we can help you.

 

Renken Law Firm, PLLC
11500 Northwest Fwy #586
Houston, TX 77092
(713) 956-6767
https://therenkenlawfirm.com
Google Business Listing

Family Divorce Lawyer in Katy TX

Family Divorce Lawyer in Katy TX

Katy is a city just west of Houston, in Texas. The Katy Heritage Society Railroad Museum has train-related exhibits in a restored depot, with an old caboose railroad car outside. The Katy Heritage Museum features vintage farming equipment and antiques. Leafy Mary Jo Peckham Park is dominated by a fish-filled lake. Katy Park holds baseball fields and spacious picnic areas.

Renken Law Firm proudly serves the community of Katy and surrounding areas. Our family divorce attorneys are here to help you tackle the difficult issues that come with ending a marriage. We have years of experience providing legal advice to divorcing couples to help them with a wide range of family legal matters.

 

Here are five reasons to consider hiring a divorce lawyer rather than representing yourself in court.

  1. You are unfamiliar with matrimonial law and/or family court

In court, self-represented litigants are not given any special treatment; judges hold them to the same standards as the lawyer for the other side. Most judges are fairly patient people, but if you don’t know the law – or what documents you need, or even what to do next – you may be pushing the judge’s patience past the breaking point. The more annoyed a judge is, the less sympathetic he/she is likely to be. Family lawyers are experts in knowing what to say to make their case seem more reasonable than yours. Lawyers who focus on areas outside family law hire a family lawyer when they’re getting a divorce; they recognize that they’ll be out of their depth when faced with a lawyer who practices family law exclusively. So it’s extremely unlikely that you’ll be able to adequately prepare to face the court process – and your spouse’s lawyer – by yourself. To make matters worse, you can jeopardize your entire case by saying or doing just one thing wrong.

  1. You need objective advice at this emotional time

Divorce is an extremely emotional time for both spouses. You may experience feelings of sadness, betrayal, fear, depression, rage, confusion, and resignation – sometimes all on the same day! This level of heightened emotions, and the fact that you cannot possibly be objective about your case, will skew your judgement. Very few people have had the time or the willingness to work through their emotions about their soon-to-be ex-spouse during the divorce process, which will hinder their ability to work productively with the other side to resolve important matters. If you’re thinking of representing yourself, you need to be aware that your emotional state may prevent you from making wise decisions about the future. As an objective third party, a family lawyer can keep a clear, level head and separate themselves from the emotional side of the case in order to work towards the best resolution for everyone involved. Throughout the divorce process, a lawyer can remind you to keep your emotions in check – or even introduce you to other professionals who can help you channel your emotions into positive strategies. A good divorce lawyer can let you know when you’re being unreasonable or are asking for something that’s more-or-less impossible. When emotions are running high, it is easy to say or do things that may come off as aggressive or vindictive; a lawyer creates a buffer between you and the other side, and will do his/her best to prevent you from allowing your emotions to sabotage your case.

  1. A divorce lawyer can suggest options you didn’t even know existed

A family lawyer can evaluate your situation and let you know the likely outcome if you take your case to court. Based on their experience with the judge and similar cases to yours, they’ll be able to offer a variety of legally-acceptable options to settle your case. If you and your spouse represent yourselves, you may agree on items that the judge will reject; when that happens, you’re causing more work and more delay for yourself, your spouse, the judge, and the court system. A lawyer will help you create a reasonable settlement proposal; if the proposal is coming from the other side, your lawyer will let you know whether to settle, make a counter-proposal, or fight it out in court.

  1. One word: paperwork

Going through a divorce can feel like being buried alive under a mountain of paperwork to be filled out and filed with the court. Knowing which forms you’ll need for your unique situation can be challenging, and collecting all the information to complete them can be both difficult and tedious. However, producing complete paperwork is crucial: the judge will rely heavily on your documents to decide the outcome of your case. Using the wrong numbers on one form and the wrong tone or words on another could result in the judge perceiving you as careless or combative. If you omit something by mistake, the other side might accuse you of trying to hide information – which will damage your credibility and your case. A divorce lawyer knows how to fill out the paperwork properly and persuasively, increasing the chances that a judge will view your side of the argument favorably. Today, many cases are bogged down in the court system due to incomplete work presented by do-it-yourself divorces.

  1. A divorce lawyer can help you focus on the “Big Picture”

While you may be solely focused on “winning” the case, a family lawyer will concentrate on creating the best deal possible – which may mean helping you to compromise on some issues so that you can get more of your “must haves.” In divorce, a good deal is one where both sides gave up some of what they had hoped to gain, but both can live with the settlement – literally. Family lawyers represent individuals with finite resources, not big corporations who have unlimited money to throw at a case, so they know cost is important. A good divorce lawyer will advise you not to waste your money by fighting over every issue, and they can help you set your priorities so you end up with more of what you actually need – even if you have to give up some of what you want to achieve it.

 

Best Divorce Attorney in Katy, TX

Our team proudly serves the Greater Houston area, including but not limited to Brazos County, Cypress, Fort Bend County, Galveston, Houston Heights, Houston, Humble, Katy, Kingwood, Memorial Houston, Montgomery County, Montrose, Richmond, Rosenberg, Spring, The Woodlands. All marriages are different, making each divorce equally unique with its own set of needs that must be addressed. Contact our law office to explore your options moving forward, and find out how we can help you.

 

Renken Law Firm, PLLC
11500 Northwest Fwy #586
Houston, TX 77092
(713) 956-6767
https://therenkenlawfirm.com
Google Business Listing

Divorce Mediation Near Spring TX

Divorce Mediation Near Spring TX

Are you one of the millions of Americans currently exploring your options for divorce? These days, more and more divorcing couples are looking to explore alternative methods to dissolve their marriage. Mediation has become an increasingly more popular option these days due to the cost-efficiency, privacy, and ability to communicate directly while working through issues.

At Renken Law Firm, our team works with couples from all different backgrounds to reach amicable agreements in their divorce cases. Mediation provides a more private and affordable divorce alternative that can benefit you in many ways. If you are unsure if divorce mediation is right for you, read this blog post to gain insight into who divorce mediation is most successful for.

Arbitration VS Mediation

Both arbitration and mediation are private; a significant advantage when parties do not want to air their dirty laundry in public. Both can occur relatively quickly after the dispute arises, and both can be accomplished for a fraction of the cost of court litigation. However, that is about all that the two processes have in common.

Mediation

In mediation, a neutral third party called (not surprisingly) a “mediator” tries to facilitate negotiations between the parties. Typically, a mediation will follow the same general agenda. First, the parties will meet together with the mediator and everyone is given an opportunity to introduce themselves and explain their position. The mediator will then usually break up the parties so s/he can meet with them individually. At this point, the mediator will normally try to better understand each side’s position while simultaneously pointing out any weaknesses in their cases with the goal of making the parties recognize the benefit of coming together in a settlement rather than proceeding to trial and hoping to achieve the best possible day in court. After some discussion, the mediator will see what sort of terms one party wishes to offer the other, and will then meet with the other party to convey this offer. This back and forth will usually continue until the parties have an agreement or until it becomes apparent that no resolution will be possible. If a settlement is reached, an agreement is put to paper and signed by the parties (and in a number of jurisdictions by the mediator, as well). If a party violates the settlement, it will give rise to a cause of action for breach of contract. If no settlement is achieved, the mediator will declare an impasse, and the case can proceed to trial.

Arbitration

Arbitration, on the other hand, is a much more involved process. When parties to a dispute select arbitration, a person (or sometimes a panel of three or more) called an “arbitrator” acts to investigate the facts, analyze the dispute, and render a decision on the matter. Usually, this is done in a process very similar to a trial, though with looser procedural requirements and shorter time frames. The parties agree to accept the decision of the arbitrator as final and binding and that the decision will be enforced by the courts if either party violates it.

An arbitrator presides over a hearing (the arbitration) in which witnesses testify and documents are considered, much like court litigation. Discovery and pre-hearing procedures are typically limited and

abbreviated to accelerate the process and keep costs down, but this can be extended by agreement of the parties. Similarly, the parties can institute other cost-saving measures such as eliminating transcripts and briefs if they are able to agree to these measures. Appeals from arbitration decisions are only available on very limited grounds and are rarely successful. Although arbitration is more formal and expensive than mediation, it is still less expensive and more expeditious than litigation.

The biggest distinction between mediation and arbitration, aside from the differing procedures, is that an arbitrator gets to make a formal decision about how the parties’ dispute should be resolved. Unlike a mediation, where a disagreement between the parties merely results in an impasse, in an arbitration the parties never have to agree to the outcome because it is decided for them by the mediator.

Will Divorce Mediation Work for Me?

Divorce mediation has become one of the most popular options for divorcing couples. While mediation is attractive for those who value their privacy and are looking for an affordable method to dissolve their marriage, it does not work for everyone. Mediation avoids conflict and allows couples to work together to reach a mutually beneficial agreement if they are able to work together. If you and your partner are not on the same page mediation may not be a realistic option.  Follow below to learn more about what it takes to successfully mediate a divorce.

Both Parties Want The Divorce

In order for divorce mediation to be successful, both parties must agree to divorce. If both spouses agree the marriage is over, you can begin the divorce process by filing a petition together. When you’re working together and on the same page, the process will be simpler. Mediation is dependent on both parties working together to negotiate and find a resolution for any unresolved divorce issues in mediation.

Domestic Abuse Is Not A Factor

In order for a divorce to be mediated, both spouses and the mediator will need to meet, sometimes frequently, to discuss the divorce agreement. If there is a documented history that includes domestic abuse, many mediators will steer away from taking on clients like this. It makes it difficult to ensure both parties are being fairly represented and that no one is agreeing to terms because they are being intimidated into cooperating.

Financial Transparency

Without a doubt, finances and shared property are some of the most difficult matters to discuss and work through as a married couple. In order for mediation to truly work, both parties need to be transparent about their finances. This includes bank account information, retirement plans, pensions, stocks, debts, and more. Working with a mediator can help you take the proper steps so you do not forget any important factors when dividing property and finances.

Willingness To Put Children First

In divorce cases that involve children, it is extremely important that both parties come together to protect the best interest of the children. Divorce mediation can be a healthy place to discuss what co-parenting will look like moving forward. If you and your spouse cannot agree on custody, mediation may not be the best divorce method for you.

Why Choose Renken Law Firm?

Attorney Dawn Renken is a practicing family law attorney in Texas, that specializes in divorce cases in Houston, TX. Attorney Renken received her mediation license through ADR Services International Inc. in 2014. Since this time, she has worked with a wide range of divorcing couples looking for alternatives to traditional courtroom divorces. Mediation offers the opportunity to divorce without public court appearances or back and forth litigation. Mediation is a private method of divorce that allows both parties to work together to reach an amicable solution as a neutral third-party mediator works to ensure both parties are fairly represented in the final agreement.

Best Divorce Attorney in Spring, TX

Our team proudly serves the Greater Houston area, including but not limited to Brazos County, Cypress, Fort Bend County, Galveston, Houston Heights, Houston, Humble, Katy, Kingwood, Memorial Houston, Montgomery County, Montrose, Richmond, Rosenberg, Spring, The Woodlands. All marriages are different, making each divorce equally unique with its own set of needs that must be addressed. Contact our law office to explore your options moving forward, and find out how we can help you.

 

Renken Law Firm, PLLC
11500 Northwest Fwy #586
Houston, TX 77092
(713) 956-6767
https://therenkenlawfirm.com
Google Business Listing

Best Family Lawyer in Katy TX

Best Family Lawyer in Katy TX

Are you looking for an attorney for a family law matter? Our attorney have years of experience handling a wide range of issues. Whether you are seeking legal advice or representation for an individual case or situation, our team can help you. Learn more about how family lawyers can help you below.

What Does A Family Lawyer Do?

Some of the most emotional and complex matters that you can face involve your family relationships. These can evolve over time as spouses find that they have grown apart, or the needs of children change. Often, spouses or parents can reach an agreement on these issues outside court, or perhaps through a non-adversarial process such as mediation. If they cannot find common ground, however, the courts may need to get involved. Whether you are seeking to assert your rights or explore your options, it is important to understand the laws that govern these situations.

Divorce: To file for a divorce, a spouse usually needs to meet the residency requirements in the state and county where they live. They also need to establish the grounds for the divorce. Many states offer a no-fault divorce, which means that the grounds can be as simple as irreconcilable differences. This means that the marriage has broken down and cannot be repaired. If you live in a state that does not permit a no-fault divorce, you will need to prove the fault of your spouse for the divorce. Some common fault grounds for divorce include adultery, desertion, and cruelty. Even if you choose a no-fault divorce, some states will allow a family court judge to consider the fault of a spouse in matters related to the divorce, such as property division.

A divorce can be contested or uncontested. An uncontested divorce occurs when the spouses agree on all of the major issues of the divorce. They can submit their agreement to the judge, and it will become the final judgment in their divorce case if the judge approves it, which is likely. If the spouses disagree on one or more major issues, the divorce will be contested. This may require litigating those issues in court. Contested divorces tend to be much more protracted and more expensive than uncontested divorces, but sometimes they are unavoidable. Read more here about the divorce process.

Child Custody: If a couple has minor children, child custody is usually an important issue in their divorce. Custody traditionally has consisted of two components: physical custody and legal custody. Physical custody involves the amount of time that the child lives with each parent, while legal custody involves the authority of each parent to make major decisions affecting the child’s upbringing. These might include the medical care that the child receives, their choice of school and extracurricular activities, and which religion (if any) they practice. Judges usually prefer to award joint custody so that each parent continues to play a role in a child’s life, but sole custody may be appropriate in some situations, such as when a parent has engaged in domestic violence or substance abuse.

The central concern in a child custody matter is the best interests of the child. A judge has substantial discretion to weigh a broad range of factors. Sometimes a child’s needs will change over time, or the situation of a parent may change. For example, they may need to relocate if they change jobs or are assigned to a different region. A parent can go back to court to seek a modification of a child custody order based on a substantial change in circumstances. The judge again would focus on the best interests of the child in making the modification. Read more here about child custody.

Child Support: The general rule is that each parent has an obligation to support a child. This obligation usually extends until the child becomes an adult, but it can extend further in some cases if the child has special needs or has not graduated from high school. Usually, the parent who spends less time living with the child will pay child support to the parent who spends more time with the child. Most states have child support guidelines that provide formulas for typical situations, but a judge usually has the authority to deviate from these guidelines in unusual circumstances.

Similar to child custody, child support can be modified if a parent can show that a substantial change in circumstances has occurred. For example, support might be increased if a child develops a medical condition that requires expensive treatment. Or it might be decreased if the parent making payments loses their job. (However, income will be imputed to each parent in accordance with their earning capacity, so voluntary unemployment is not a way to avoid paying support.) Read more here about child support.

Spousal Support (Alimony): While spousal support is less common than it used to be, it still may be ordered in certain situations after a divorce. Spousal support often is appropriate if the spouses have dramatically different income potential, and the marriage was relatively long, such that the lower-earning spouse became reliant on the higher-earning spouse and accustomed to a higher standard of living. These payments are not meant to be punitive but simply to provide the lower-earning spouse with the support that they need. Alimony is generally not permanent unless the lower-earning spouse is elderly or disabled, such that they will never be able to support themselves.

Spousal support can be terminated when the recipient spouse remarries or cohabits with a partner, as defined under state law. It also can be terminated in many states if the recipient spouse becomes self-supporting or if the recipient spouse fails to make good-faith efforts to become self-supporting. The spouse making payments may be able to petition to reduce or terminate alimony if their financial situation declines to the point that they can no longer pay. Read more here about spousal support.

Property Division: The first step in property division consists of determining which assets are marital property and which assets are separate property. Only marital property is subject to division upon a divorce. It consists of most assets that were acquired during the marriage, except for gifts and inheritances that one spouse received. Determining the character of an asset can be complicated if marital property was commingled with separate property, or if the value of separate property increased during the marriage. If the couple ran a business or accumulated intangible assets, such as intellectual property, appraisers and accountants may be needed to estimate their value. Sometimes a pre-marital or post-marital agreement will control property division, as long as the agreement is valid.

Otherwise, the approach to dividing marital property will depend on the state. Some states use a community property approach, which requires an exact 50/50 split of the marital assets. Since an asset cannot always be evenly divided, this may involve selling an asset and splitting the proceeds between the spouses, or it may involve giving an asset to one spouse in its entirety while compensating the other spouse with an asset of equal value. Other states use an equitable distribution approach, which means that the division must be fair but not necessarily even. (In practice, this often results in an even division.) Read more here about property division.

When you are looking for the best family lawyer in Katy, TX, contact the team at Renken Law Firm. We can help you get the results you are looking for, while protecting you and your family.

 

Family Law Attorney in Katy, Texas

Our team proudly serves the Greater Houston area, including but not limited to Brazos County, Cypress, Fort Bend County, Galveston, Houston Heights, Houston, Humble, Katy, Kingwood, Memorial Houston, Montgomery County, Montrose, Richmond, Rosenberg, Spring, The Woodlands. All marriages are different, making each divorce equally unique with its own set of needs that must be addressed. Contact our law office to explore your options moving forward, and find out how we can help you.

 

Renken Law Firm, PLLC
11500 Northwest Fwy #586
Houston, TX 77092
(713) 956-6767
https://therenkenlawfirm.com
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Uncontested Divorce Katy TX

Uncontested Divorce Katy TX

What is an uncontested divorce?

An uncontested divorce means that both spouses agree on all of their divorce-related issues. Each state has specific legal requirements that spouses must meet before they can proceed with an uncontested divorce. You may want to consult with a local attorney or check your local courthouse website for specific requirements.

Even though you have to meet certain requirements, an uncontested divorce is often much easier than a contested divorce because spouses can end their marriage without constant negotiations, legal posturing, and court hearings. Thus, an uncontested divorce usually involves less stress and fewer legal fees. The uncontested divorce process also tends to preserve a relationship between the spouses, which is especially important if they have children.

However, divorcing spouses must be able to work together toward mutually agreeable resolutions in order to resolve all of their divorce issues. Although working with your soon-to-be-ex to settle important financial and child-related issues may seem difficult, it’s one way to end your marriage without a full-blown court battle.

 

Is mediation used in uncontested divorces?

If you and your divorcing spouse have chosen to file an uncontested divorce, it may be in your best interest to go through mediation. Mediation allows both parties to work through all aspects of their divorce together, around a neutral third party that acts as a mediator.

Your mediator will understand the divorce process and will be able to clearly provide you with the information you need to settle all important matters. It is better to address everything up front when getting a divorce, then having to backtrack once it is finalized to work out details you may have overlooked.

Once you have resolved all of your issues, your mediator will draft a divorce agreement for both parties to sign. The mediation process is private, affordable, and leaves all of the decision making up to the divorcing couple.

In order for divorce mediation to work, both parties must be willing to work together to reach an amicable solution. If your mediator senses that emotions are too high or one party is using bully tactics to get what they want, mediation may be ended.

 

Houston Divorce Specialists

Our team proudly serves the Greater Houston area, including but not limited to Brazos County, Cypress, Fort Bend County, Galveston, Houston Heights, Houston, Humble, Katy, Kingwood, Memorial Houston, Montgomery County, Montrose, Richmond, Rosenberg, Spring, The Woodlands. All marriages are different, making each divorce equally unique with its own set of needs that must be addressed. Contact our law office to explore your options moving forward, and find out how we can help you.

 

Renken Law Firm, PLLC
11500 Northwest Fwy #586
Houston, TX 77092
(713) 956-6767
https://therenkenlawfirm.com
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