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Attorney For Divorce in Houston

Attorney For Divorce in Houston

July 14, 2022

When it is an options, seeking legal representation is always a good idea in Texas divorce cases. Not only will your attorney represent you in court, they will also be able to provide you with helpful insight into what is ordinary in other divorce cases. An attorney is dedicated to representing their client’s best interests and will be there to help you navigate this difficult time. When you are looking for a family law attorney in Houston for your divorce reach out to Renken Law Firm. Will One of You Pursue a Fault Divorce? Spouses must identify a ground (reason) for their divorce when they file. All states and the District of Columbia allow spouses to file for divorce based on a no-fault ground, meaning no one is to blame for the breakup. Spouses can simply cite “irreconcilable differences,” which is also referred to as the “irretrievable” or “irremediable breakdown of the marriage,” depending on where you live. These terms refer to the same basic concept—that the couple simply can’t get along anymore, there is no chance of a reconciliation, and the marriage is broken beyond repair. There’s no need to identify and prove misconduct or a bad act that caused the divorce. In some states, spouses can alternatively base their divorce on a separation for a specific length of time. In several states, spouses can still file for a fault-based divorce, which means the ground for divorce is that one spouse engaged in misconduct that led to the breakdown of the marriage. These vary from state to state, but the most common fault grounds include adultery, abandonment, abuse, and addiction to alcohol or drugs. Fault cases typically take longer to resolve in court because you have to provide admissible evidence and prove to a judge the misconduct occurred and

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Child Custody Modification Attorney in Houston

Child Custody Modification Attorney in Houston

July 7, 2022

Who can file a modification case? Either parent can file a modification case. If you are not the child’s parent, you can file a modification case if: You are listed as a party in the current order, You have had actual care, control and possession of the child for at least 6 months ending not more than 90 days before the date you file the modification case with the court and you are not a foster parent. You have lived with the child and the child’s parent, guardian or conservator for at least 6 months ending not more than 90 days before the date you file the modification case, and the child’s parent, guardian or conservator has died. You are the child’s grandparent, great-grandparent, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew and: Both parents are dead, Both parents, the surviving parent or managing conservator agree, The child’s present circumstances will significantly harm the child’s physical health or emotional development. Where do I file a modification case? You must file a modification case in the Texas county where the current order was made. If the child has lived in another Texas county for the last 6 months, you must still file the modification case in the county where the current order was made. However, you have the option of asking the court to transfer the case to the child’s new home county. You must file a Motion to Transfer at the same time you file your Petition to Modify the Parent-Child Relationship. Talk to a lawyer about whether this makes sense for your case. What is the legal standard to change child support or medical support? To change child support or medical support you must prove that: The circumstances of the child, a conservator or other person affected by the order

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How Is Child Support Calculated in Texas

How Is Child Support Calculated in Texas?

July 7, 2022

The Noncustodial Parent Pays Child Support In Texas, physical custody—the amount of time a parent spends with a child—determines who will make child support payments. Although a judge may order either or both parents to support a child, in most cases the “noncustodial parent” (the parent with the least amount of time with the child or children) pays child support. (This parent is also called the “obligor” in Texas child support laws.) Just because the noncustodial usually pay child support, that doesn’t mean the other parent is off the hook for the costs of raising a child. Instead, the law assumes that the custodial parent support the child by spending money directly on the daily cost of raising the child. How to Use the Texas Child Support Guidelines Under the “income percentage” method used in the Texas child support guidelines, the amount of child support is generally based on a percentage of the noncustodial parent’s net monthly income. For a simple estimate of child support in your case, you may use the online Monthly Child Support Calculator provided by the Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG). But the calculator is designed only for situations when the custodial parent has a single source of income. For all other situations, you’ll need to determine net monthly income and the guideline amount of support by following the steps explained below. Gross Income Included in Calculating Child Support For child support purposes, income includes: all wages and salary, including commissions, military pay, tips, overtime, and bonuses self-employment income interest and dividends net rental income from property the parent owns Even unemployed parents probably still have some income from sources such as: severance pay unemployment benefits retirement benefits veterans’ benefits disability benefits, or workers’ compensation awards. If it’s appropriate, a judge may also assign

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How Can I Keep My Divorce Private

How Can I Keep My Divorce Private?

July 4, 2022

Whether it is because you work in a public industry, have information you don’t wish to share, or children you want to protect, privacy can be a major issue in divorce cases. Contested divorces and divorces that take place in court rooms are public record. This means the specifics of your finances, your marital issues, and property all can be accessed by anyone interested in learning more about you. For many individuals, this information is something they wish to keep private and protected. The good news is, for those who opt for divorce mediation instead on court room divorces, it is possible to conceal all of this information and keep it entirely private. In divorce mediation, the only people who know the specifics of your divorce agreement are the divorcing parties, the mediator, and the judge who signs off on the agreement. This allows for complete privacy in your case. Nothing that is shared in mediation will be able to be used as evidence against you moving forward. This allows for couples to work through the most serious of conflicts without fear of unwanted exposure. If you are interested in having a private divorce in Houston, the legal team at Renken Law Firm is here to help you. We work with you to find divorce solutions that fit your needs and allow you to move forward with your life. Call our office today to schedule a consultation and learn more about your divorce options. Why Choose to Mediate Your Divorce? Although judges often order divorcing couples to participate in mediation before going to trial, you have the option of mediating on your own—either before you file for divorce or at any time after. Mediating your divorce has a lot of advantages over litigating it (fighting it out in court). Cost.

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Child Custody Attorney in Houston

Child Custody Attorney in Houston

July 3, 2022

In a perfect world, you and the other parent of your child will be able to work together to create a child custody agreement that promotes the best for your child and works for both adults as well. Unfortunately, there are many issues that can arise causing conflict when trying to reach an agreement about your child’s custody. At Renken Law Firm we understand how sensitive family legal matters involving children can be. Our team works with you every step of the way to help you reach a resolution that helps al parties involved. Listed below is some insight into when you may need to consider working with a lawyer for your custody dispute. When It’s Time to Hire a Lawyer for Your Custody Dispute You might want to talk to a family law lawyer for any number of reasons, but here are seven that often arise in child custody situations: The Other Parent Has a Lawyer When the other parent hires a lawyer and you don’t have one, the balance of power in negotiations shifts. Lawyers are skilled in state custody laws and can typically advocate for their clients far better than people without formal training can represent themselves. Lawyers also understand the court’s procedures and might be familiar with past orders the judge has made in similar cases. Many people choose to hire an attorney once they know that the other parent is represented. If you think you can’t afford an attorney to represent you throughout the entire custody process, consider consulting with one to get advice on how to best represent your interests. (You can also ask that attorney whether the other parent might have to contribute to your attorneys’ fees if you hire a lawyer.) Your Ex Has Moved (or Plans to Move) When your co-parent

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Can Divorce Mediation Work If We Have Kids

Can Divorce Mediation Work If We Have Kids?

June 29, 2022

The mediation process works for families of all different types of backgrounds. If you are looking to avoid the court system, safe money, and have a private divorce process, our family law divorce lawyers can help you. We provide legal advice and custody mediation to help you reach an amicable divorce settlement. What is Divorce Mediation? Divorce mediation is about you and your soon to be ex-spouse deciding your own divorce and what is best for the both of you and most importantly, your children. In mediation, you and your spouse meet with a neutral third party, the mediator, and with their help, you work through the issues you need to resolve so the two of you can end your marriage as amicably and cost effective as possible. The issues covered include but at not limited to the following: Distribution of Property (Assets/Liabilities) Child Custody and Parenting Time Child Support/Maintenance Retirement Taxes In mediation, the couple, with the help of the mediator, works out agreements on the above issues. Sometimes agreements come easy, sometimes they take time and a lot of work. When agreements are hard to reach, that is when the mediator intervenes. It is the mediators job to keep the lines of communication open, brainstorm ideas, reality test the couple, teach empathy and assist the couple in their decision making process. Mediators help keep the couple focused on the issues at hand, trying not to get them off track. When divorcing couples get off track and away from the above issues during mediation, arguing, name-calling and bad prior memories are brought up. Mediation is flexible and confidential. It gives you and your spouse a way to settle the conflict between you in a way that helps you to work together as parents. This is extremely important if you

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Affordable Family Law Attorney Near Me

Affordable Family Law Attorney Near Me

June 28, 2022

When you need legal advice for a family matter, you will want to work with an experienced family law attorney. At Renken Law Firm we can help you find solutions for a wide range of legal matters to bring you peace of mind. Whether you are having difficulties with a family member, are fighting for fair child support, or a child custody plan that fits your family’s needs, our team is here for you. We represent our clients with their best interest in mind. Benefits of Hiring a Family Law Lawyer Knowledge of the Law Divorce law, child custody law, and other family law varies from state to state. An experienced family lawyer in your state will know the relevant statutes that govern your situation. Knowing the law is highly beneficial whether or not your case ends up in court. An experienced attorney can use their knowledge of the law to advocate for you in court and defend your rights. In addition, a knowledgeable attorney can help you reach a settlement or other out-of-court agreement. Many divorce cases never go to court. Instead, the parties to the divorce agree on terms through informal discussions or formal mediation. Knowing the law can help you negotiate a more favorable agreement with your spouse. Objectivity and Professionalism Family law issues are often deeply personal, and strong emotions can flare up during the case. A family law attorney has some distance from the underlying relationships in your situation. An attorney can often remain calm and logical when it may be difficult for you to do so. Family law attorneys also have experience communicating and negotiating over highly personal matters. A family lawyer will be able to avoid engaging with an argumentative spouse. Hiring a family lawyer can be beneficial if interactions with your spouse

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Montgomery County TX Divorce Attorney

Filing A Divorce in Montgomery County Texas

June 20, 2022

Are you looking for a family law firm to help you navigate your divorce case? Renken Law Firm is here to help you. We work with you to answer common questions, file divorce papers, and provide you with legal advice along the way to ensure you are protecting yourself. Listed below are the types of divorce you can file in the state of Texas: Uncontested Divorce in Montgomery County, TX: An uncontested divorce occurs when both divorcing parties are able to work things out to reach an amicable divorce agreement. This includes coming to an agreement on how their property should be divided, resolving financial difficulties, child custody, and more. While this type of divorce can be finalized quickly, it is still recommended both parties have an attorney review the agreement ahead of time to ensure they are not giving up their rights or overlooking important details. Our team will work with you to ensure you are protected and making the best choices for your family. Mediated Divorce in Montgomery County, TX: Mediation is one of the most popular and affordable options for divorce in Texas. A neutral third party will work with both spouses to negotiate an agreement that serves them both. Mediation will cover all of the important matters you will need to work through and outlines a clear guide for how the divorce will look once it is finalized. This process, unlike with court room divorces, is completely private. The only people who know the terms of the divorce are both parties, the mediator, and eventually a judge when it is signed off. If you are interested in mediation, it is important that you and your spouse are able to work together constructively and leave volatile emotions out of the process. If your mediator does not believe

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Affordable Divorce Options in Houston Texas

Affordable Divorce Options in Houston Texas

June 19, 2022

It is no secret that the divorce process can be emotionally and financially draining for all parties involved. More and more, we are seeing married couples pursuing less contentious and more affordable methods to dissolve their marriage. This has led to many Houston divorcing couples to turn to mediation to resolve conflicts and reach an amicable divorce agreement. At Renken Law Firm we work with couples to help them find the best solutions for their divorce. This includes going over child custody, child support, property division, and more. Our family law attorneys work with you every step of our divorce case to ensure you are getting exactly what you need. The Pros of Divorce Mediation Help Navigating the Issues When you and your spouse are in agreement, you have options for divorcing quickly and cheaply—including using an online divorce service. But if you and your spouse have issues you can’t agree on, most online divorce services won’t work for your case. Also, the more complex your situation is—for example, if you have a lot of assets or a child with special needs—the more likely it is that you and your spouse will need some guidance resolving the issues. A knowledgeable mediator can alert you to the details you need to work out, lay out possible solutions that have worked for other couples, and help you complete the paperwork. More Control Over the Outcome To a large degree, mediation places your future in your own hands, rather than leaving it up to a judge to decide what happens to you, your children, and your assets. No one is as familiar with your situation as you and your spouse. Mediation can help you determine the outcome of your marital split on your own terms. Judges typically have big caseloads, with only a

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4 Reasons To Choose Divorce Mediation

4 Reasons To Choose Divorce Mediation

June 9, 2022

Divorcing couples have options when it comes to choosing the best method of dissolving their marriage. These days, more than ever, many couples are choosing mediation to work out their divorce issues. Listed below are 4 of the top reasons to consider mediation for your Texas divorce: Time: While all divorces in Texas require at least 61 days to become finalized, mediation takes less time than litigated divorces. During mediation you and your spouse are given the opportunity to sit together and resolve the issues on your own without the back and forth communication between attorneys. Price: The divorce mediation process is typically much more affordable for couples that are ready to end their marriage. You are able to sit down and quickly come to conclusions about what the best options are for both parties without letting attorney fees skyrocket. Privacy: Litigated divorces are public record, this means any evidence entered into the court, and information shared with the court, all becomes available for anyone who looks it up. If privacy matters to you, a mediated divorce is an excellent option. The terms of your divorce will remain private. Your Say: Unlike with litigated divorces, the terms of mediated divorces are completely up to the two divorcing parties. This means you have the final say when it comes to coming up with child custody and child support. If you are looking for a parenting plan that fits your specific needs and don’t want a judge weighing in on the outcome of your divorce, mediation grants you this freedom. Is Divorce Mediation For Me? Divorce mediation is an affordable and private divorce option, mediation also has a proven history for helping families resolve disputes without the need for a trial. Taking your case to trial typically will increase the amount of

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About Our Firm

Your family law case may be the most important legal issue you ever face in your life. It can also be the most emotionally and financially challenging life event you experience.

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Renken Law Firm knows how difficult and painful dealing with these issues can be. We will take your case, and all the turmoil that comes with it, very seriously. You can trust us to not only be relentless in our pursuit of the best possible solution for you, but we will also take into consideration how much this process is both emotionally and financially impacting you. Renken Law Firm can be relentless, but you can always trust us to listen.

© 2023 The Renken Law Firm. All rights reserved.

Parents are also obligated to provide health and dental insurance for their children in Texas.The court can order either parent to enroll a child on an existing health insurance policy but customarily orders the child support obligor to do so or to reimburse the cost of the health and dental care premium to the primary custodian of the child.While the terms alimony and spousal maintenance are often used interchangeably, they are very different things under Texas law.They both achieve the same goal during a divorce, however.They both allow one spouse to receive financial support from the other.Renken Law Firm understands the distinction between alimony and spousal maintenance.Our understanding of the difference between these two means of financial support allows us to pursue an outcome that best meets your needs.Along with her ability to aggressively litigate Family Law matters, Dawn Renken is a Licensed Mediator through ADR Services International Inc, since 2014. Traditionally, mediation has been shown to be an excellent option for couples seeking an amicable divorce who ultimately have compatible goals for property settlements and custody disputes.Mediation promotes a compromise that works well for both parties, while making it possible to avoid court appearances and additional attorney’s fees.What is Divorce Mediation?Divorce mediation is a private process in which a neutral third person (a mediator) helps divorcing couples reach a mutually satisfactory settlement of the issues in their case, including child support, custody and visitation, alimony, and property division.A mediator does not act as a judge, arbitrator, or counselor, but assists the spouses in reaching a voluntary agreement.Along with her ability to aggressively litigate Family Law matters, Dawn Renken is a Licensed Mediator through ADR Services International Inc, since 2014. Traditionally, mediation has been shown to be an excellent option for couples seeking an amicable divorce who ultimately have compatible goals for property settlements and custody disputes. Mediation promotes a compromise that works well for both parties, while making it possible to avoid court appearances and additional attorney’s feesDivorce mediation is an affordable and private divorce option, mediation also has a proven history for helping families resolve disputes without the need for a trial. Taking your case to trial typically will increase the amount of time, money, and stress involved in your divorce.While no divorce method is completely stress free, divorce mediation allows both parties to have their needs represented. The divorcing couple will be given the chance to work together to reach an amicable resolution in their case, instead of allowing a judge to have the final say.Dawn Renken, became a licensed mediator through ADR Services International Inc. in 2014. Since this time, Attorney Renken has been working as a Cypress divorce mediation expert with couples to help them work together to reach divorce agreements that are mutually beneficial for their long term needs.The role of the mediator is to simply ensure all important matters are discussed and dealt with, as well as ensure neither party is using bully tactics in order to get the other party to agree to the terms they desire for their divorce. Your divorce agreement is only finalized when both parties agree to the terms of the divorce and sign off on it. If you are unable to work together to reach an amicable divorce agreement, mediation will not be a viable method for divorce. If you and your spouse are actively looking to work through your divorce together, Renken Law Firm can help by offering affordable divorce mediation in Houston, TX.In addition to traditional divorce methods, we excel in providing the best divorce mediation services in Houston, TX. Divorce mediation offers a more cost-effective and private approach, allowing the divorcing parties to determine the final terms of their divorce. To explore this option further, we encourage you to contact our office and learn more about our mediation services.Renken Law Firm understands that many individuals hesitate to initiate the divorce process due to uncertainty and concerns about excessive legal fees. We assure you that our Houston, TX team is dedicated to your success and has a proven track record of achieving client satisfaction.We recognize the emotional toll that divorce takes on families, and we strive to make the process as smooth as possible. Whether your case involves mediated or contested divorce, our attorneys will provide unwavering support every step of the way until your divorce is finalized. Take the first steps toward filing for divorce in the state of Texas by scheduling a consultation with our legal team at Renken Law Firm today.Is Texas an At-Fault State?In the state of Texas, divorce proceedings do not require spouses to provide a specific reason or cause for seeking the divorce, making it a “no-fault” state. However, it is important to note that if one spouse is at fault for the breakdown of the marriage, it may be considered by the court when dividing property. This means that the at-fault party may be responsible for providing more to the other spouse. Although fault grounds are not mandatory, it is advisable for spouses to include them in their divorce petition.At Renken Law Firm, our mission is to advocate for families and help them make the best decisions for their unique circumstances. Our top priority is protecting the best interests of any children involved in the divorce. Our dedicated legal team is committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for you and your family. Whether you are contemplating filing for divorce or currently going through the process, contact Renken Law Firm for assistance. We will guide you through this challenging time and ensure that you consider all significant factors that may impact your finances or family dynamics. Reach out to us today to learn more about our comprehensive family law services and how we can support you.The Renken Law Firm has worked hard to earn a reputation for efficiently practicing diligent and focused legal services. During the course of our representation, you can expect expert legal advice in the areas of divorce, separation planning, custody disputes, child support cases, grandparents rights, prenuptial agreements, attorney general cases and enforcement actions.Receive prompt service and protect your rights by contacting us to schedule an appointment. In times of personal crisis we understand that you want answers. As your legal counsel, this firm will provide you with answers and options. Additionally, we will guide you through what you can expect during the process and help you to understand your options and rights as mandated by Texas Law. Our knowledge and experience has provided us with a strong base of strategies and methods to assist you to reach a successful resolution. Once retained, we invite you to demand and expect your case to be handled in an organized, timely, effective and cost-efficient manner. Step 1: Consult Contact Renken Law Firm to schedule your no obligation one hour consultation to evaluate your case. Step 2: Prepare You’ve never been through this. We understand that. We are here for you. Step 3: Negotiate Whether informal negotiation or mediation, you can trust Renken Law Firm’s decades of experience. Step 4: Litigate When negotiation fails, Renken Law Firm is prepared to fight for you at trial with experienced litigators. Your family law case may be the most important legal issue you ever face in your life. It can also be the most emotionally and financially challenging life event you experience. Renken Law Firm knows how difficult and painful dealing with these issues can be. We will take your case, and all the turmoil that comes with it, very seriously. You can trust us to not only be relentless in our pursuit of the best possible solution for you, but we will also take into consideration how much this process is both emotionally and financially impacting you. Renken Law Firm can be relentless, but you can always trust us to listen. © 2023 The Renken Law Firm. All rights reserved. Our comprehensive family law services include the resolution of divorces through litigation, divorce mediation or collaborative law, depending on the specific details of your case. We can take on all matters related to Divorce Practice or dissolution of a common law marriage, including: We are committed to aggressively and efficiently advocating for your rights . We customize our representation to the needs of your case. Throughout the process, we will keep you involved. We will provide honest information about the progress of your case and strive to achieve the best possible outcome. Enforcing Texas Orders Renken Law Firm, PLLC represent clients seeking to enforce the terms of a divorce decree or custody order. You may need to seek to enforce an order when the other parent has failed to pay their court ordered child support or if you have been denied visitation with your child. We have extensive experience with both seeking relief for these types of issues and also defending against these types of cases. Having an experienced lawyer who has handled both sides of the issue provides you a unique attorney who can reasonably anticipate what the other side may attempt to do. If the non-custodial parent refuses to pay court ordered child support or you have been denied visitation, contact us. If you have been accused of nonpayment or denying the opposing party visitation, a possible contempt outcome is jail time. Do not go to court alone, contact Renken Law Firm, PLLC. Enforcement for Delinquent Child Support Child support arrearages not only can lead to wage garnishment, property liens and loss of tax refunds, they can also result in loss of your license to drive, fish, hunt, sell real estate, teach or practice medicine. Whether your problem involves modification or enforcement of family law rights, our lawyers can advise and represent you. Enforcement / Contempt of Court Actions When a parent refuses to honor visitation orders, fails to pay child support or fails to comply with other court orders, the parent is in contempt of court. In most circumstances, it is important that a child is supported by and has meaningful relationships with both parents. That is why it is so important to follow custody, visitation and support arrangements. Failure to do so can jeopardize the child’s well being. If a parent willfully and recklessly avoided complying with orders when it was feasible to do so, the parent may be charged criminally with contempt and could face potential jail time, fines and other consequences. Our attorneys help clients pursue court orders of enforcement. We also defend against actions where enforcement or contempt cases are brought against you unjustly or for spite. Child Support Enforcement Actions If you are facing a child support enforcement action initiated by the Attorney General, Renken Law Firm, PLLC can answer the complaint and try to transfer your case to family court, where your options for a realistic payment plan will be somewhat broader. If you are the parent trying to enforce the terms of a divorce or paternity child support order, we can help ensure that your right to payment is brought current as quickly as possible.

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