Category: Practice Areas

Developing New Holiday Traditions After Divorce

Developing New Holiday Traditions After Divorce

General Concepts and Approaches to Developing New Holiday Traditions for You and Your Family Rewrite your story with new holiday traditions and how you want it to play out. Have a strategy-whatever that strategy may be. Don’t be attached to the Holiday being only a specific day – spread the wealth of holiday spirit over multiple days and even weeks.  Make plans early. Be happy to accept an invitation.  Create your own connections with neighbors, and new friends in your community.  Be sure to ask others you include in meals and parties if they have dietary restrictions.  Traditions start by doing something more than once. Anything can become a tradition. Input from the kids in terms of developing new traditions they want to create.  Talk with kids about what traditions they want to keep and those they don’t care about.  Also be able to say “no” and protect your energy levels during the holidays. And don’t try to outdo the ex or Grandparents.   Have a backup plan in case those who said they would be there get sick or something comes up.  28 Specific Ideas Host a Party and invite others who are in your situation Do holidays a week early so that you can avoid the demand on that one day.  Invite other family members because you know they won’t be otherwise engaged on the “un-holiday”. If you won’t have your child(ren) with you on Christmas, make with your Jewish friends to go to the movies and have Chinese (or any other non-holiday tradition- food. This could become your new tradition to look forward to.  Start a gratitude journal in mid-November, writing at least one thing each day that you can be grateful for.  Choose one day in November or December to spend a couple of hours helping others

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OutSmart Magazine Recognizes Dawn Renken As An Advocates For The LGBTQ+ Community

OutSmart Magazine Recognizes Dawn Renken As An Advocates For The LGBTQ+ Community

OutSmart Magazine recently noticed Dawn Renken as a finalist when ranking the best female attorneys in Houston in their reader’s choice awards for 2020. According to their website: OutSmart is an award-winning monthly publication that has delivered local and national news to Houston’s LGBTQ audience for over 25 years. Published in print and online, we reach 200,000+ readers each month and have a loyal fan base spanning from Houston to Los Angeles. The magazine even has an international following in Canada, Mexico, The United Kingdom, Australia, and various other locations across the globe. In response to this recognition, Dawn Renken said, “I am so humbled by this honor, I support the LGTBQ community and proudly advocate for their rights.” Attorney Renken recognizes the difficulty that can come with same-sex divorce cases, especially when the divorcing parties are unable to find attorneys that understand their specific perspective and needs. She fights for justice in family legal matters to help her clients reach resolution without being held back by barriers in their community. Whether you are looking for a same-sex divorce, have a custody issue in a same-sex relationship, or are in need of other family legal advice, Dawn Renken is here for you. Make sure you are working with an attorney that advocates for your rights. Since 2015, same-sex couples have been granted the right to marry and divorce as they please. While this is a huge step in the fight for equality in the United States, it can still be difficult for same-sex married couples to find experienced legal professionals to help them navigate their divorce. At Renken Law Firm, we have experience working with same-sex couples and do everything we can to ensure the divorce is being handled with the same level of dedication and attention as any other.

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Tips To Successfully Co-Parent During The Pandemic

Tips To Successfully Co-Parent During The Pandemic

Finding successful ways to co-parent after divorce can be difficult under the best circumstances. During a global pandemic, with massive economic and social uncertainty, finding ways to work together can be even harder. Across the world, anxieties are high, making it more important than ever for parents to work together to show a strong and united front for their children.  Listed below are some tips to help make your co-parenting successful and beneficial to your children: Reinforce The Love You Have For Your Children: Children are fragile and often need reassurance to feel safe and loved. Make sure you are expressing to your children how much you love them, what strengths you see in them, and how happy you are to have them in your life. If your child feels that they are a source of stress or that having them is a complication in your life, they can begin to disconnect. Remember to target specific, positive personality traits and choices they make, when communicating with them. Make Every Minute Counts: It can be difficult for parents who are splitting custody with their children to feel like they are getting enough time together. The best way to combat this is to focus on making every minute together count. Quality time spent nurturing and growing your relationship will mean more than the amount of time you spend overall. Scheduling time together for family game night, going on daily walks, or finding other ways to create a routine that allows for connected time together can go a long way to building your relationship. If you are struggling to co-parent, reach out to the Houston divorce coaches at Renken Law Firm.   Let Them Lead: To build a child’s confidence, it is important to let them lead. This does not mean letting them choose

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Why Should I Work With A Divorce Coach?

Why Should I Work With A Divorce Coach?

Even in the most amicable of divorces, stress is typically unavoidable. Not only are there the emotions that come from divorce, navigating the actual legal process can cause a lot of additional mental anguish and discomfort. Working with a divorce coach can help an individual who is experiencing pre-divorce, divorce, and post-divorce complications. Your divorce coach will work with you through your own specific situation and assist you in any possible way to help keep you on the right track and avoid potential roadblocks that can cause the divorce process to drag on longer than needed.  At Renken Law Firm in Houston, our divorce coaches are here to provide flexible support as you navigate the divorce process. We help you to identify goals and follow through with them in order to yield you the most effective results in your unique situation. This can include helping you plan for the future for yourself and any children you may have. We understand that divorce can feel overwhelming, especially for parents who are uncertain about what life after divorce will look like. These are normal feelings that can be addressed and worked through with your divorce coach.  Too often, divorcing moms and dads find themselves feeling alone, frustrated, and overwhelmed by the divorce process. In some cases, this makes it difficult to even begin the process, even if a divorce is for the greater good of their family. Working with a skilled personal thinking partner who is focused on your needs and familiar with the process can offer a beneficial perspective. Our divorce coaches can help you through the process in the following ways: -Reduce the emotional impact of divorce in order to recover quickly -Help make the process gentler and easier for divorcing parties -Offers relevant information in a safe and supportive

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Same-Sex Couple Custody Attorney in Houston

Same-Sex Couple Custody Attorney in Houston

Family law cases for same-sex couples changed in the summer of 2015 when the United States Supreme Court legalized marriage for same-sex couples across the nation. While this is a relatively new ruling, the attorneys at Renken Law Firm in Houston have been helping same-sex coupled families and members of the LGBTQ+ community navigate legal matters through domestic partner agreements long before. For the most experienced same-sex couple custody attorney in Houston, contact us today.  With same-sex marriage legalized in all 50 states, couples with children now will be faced with the same legal obstacles as any other divorcing couple. For same-sex married couples with children, this means having to reach agreements for everything from child custody, visitation rights, child support, and more. The dedicated attorneys at Renken Law Firm have always provided comprehensive legal counsel to members of the LGBTQ+ community in order to address their family law needs. Now, with the push for marriage equality, our team will also be able to provide representation in same-sex divorce cases. How Is Custody Different in Same-Sex Divorce Cases? Unfortunately in the state of Texas, being legally married does not automatically mean the courts will recognize a non-biological parent as the presumptive parent of any children born throughout the marriage. A non-biological parent must legally adopt any children in the marriage in order to be recognized as their parent and given any parental rights after a divorce. If you are interested in learning more about how we can help you navigate your divorce case and tackle child custody issues, contact our team by filling out our case evaluation form today. At Renken Law Firm in Houston, our team provides legal counsel to people of all gender identities. When it comes to divorce cases, we have experience working with both opposite-sex couples

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LGBTQ+ Family Law Attorney in Houston

LGBTQ+ Family Law Attorney in Houston

In June of 2015, the United States Supreme Court granted it legal for same-sex couples to marry in all fifty states. However, in addition to granting this long-awaited civil-right to members of the LGBTQ+ community, it also was the start of many new family law issues, including those relating to divorce and child custody.  A common misconception many same-sex couples face is that the false belief that being legally married will recognize a non-biological parent as the presumptive parent of any children born throughout the marriage. The laws that govern these decisions are made on a state-level. In the state of Texas, a non-biological parent must legally adopt the children in order to be recognized as their parent and given any parental rights.  Our LGBTQ+ family law attorneys are experienced in handling same-sex divorce cases. We will work closely with you so that you do not have to navigate the legal process alone, or with an attorney that does not understand the specific needs of a same-sex divorce case. It is our mission to provide a safe and comfortable environment in order to help your family access the same legal rights and protections given to opposite-sex married couples.  Some of the services offered by our LGBTQ+ family law attorneys in Houston include: Same-Sex Divorce Same-Sex Premarital Agreement Same-Sex Postmarital Agreement Same-Sex Divorce Mediation Same-Sex Protective Orders Same-Sex Child Support Same-Sex Child Custody & Visitation Same-Sex Second-Parent Adoption Our team of LGBTQ+ family law attorneys fights to protect families and their property while putting a strong focus on protecting the best interest of any children in the marriage. If you are currently looking to file a same-sex divorce or are going through one, contact Renken Law Firm in Houston. We will help you navigate this difficult time and work closely to

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LGBTQ+ Divorce Mediator in Houston

LGBTQ+ Divorce Mediator in Houston

Since 2015, same-sex couples have been given the same right as opposite-sex couples to marry and divorce as they please. While this is a huge step in the fight for equality in our country, it can still be difficult for same-sex married couples to find experienced legal professionals to help them navigate their divorce. At Renken Law Firm, we have experience working with same-sex couples and do everything we can to ensure the divorce is being handled with the same level of dedication and attention as any other. We understand in some same-sex divorce cases, couples will have specific needs that may not be present with opposite-sex marriages. Whether you are looking for a divorce attorney to represent you solely, or are looking for an LGBTQ+ divorce mediator in Houston, the team at Renken Law Firm can help you. Contact us today to learn more about your options for divorce and to begin the process of divorce.  Amicable Divorce Agreements Through Mediation The point of divorce mediation is to provide a simpler method of divorce for couples who are able to sit down and work through the terms of their divorce. If the couple is unable to participate in civilized dialogue about important issues, such as property division, child custody, debt allocation, and more, mediation is not the right option. Our team of divorce professionals can help couples to determine what they need from their divorce and how to move forward with the next chapter of their family’s life. If you and your spouse are searching for an alternative divorce method that allows you both to work through the divorce process together, Renken Law Firm in Houston can help. Our staff is dedicated to helping families come to a divorce agreement that suits the needs of all parties in a

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LGBTQ+ Divorce Attorney in Houston

LGBTQ+ Divorce Attorney in Houston

In 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in favor of same-sex marriage, marking a huge stride in our country’s fight for civil equalities. With all types of marriage, there is always the risk of divorce. However, it can be difficult for same-sex couples to find attorneys and legal professionals who are experienced in handling same-sex divorce cases. At Renken Law Firm in Houston, we have experience handling many different types of divorce cases, from mediating same-sex divorces to going to court to represent one party of a same-sex marriage for a divorce. We understand every divorce case is unique and we believe in treating it as such. When it comes to handling your case our attorneys are prepared to help you in every way possible to reach an agreement that fits your specific needs.  Our team of legal professionals fights for families to help them protect themselves and their belongings while putting a strong focus on promoting the best interest of any children in the marriage. If you are currently looking to file a same-sex divorce or are going through one, contact Renken Law Firm in Houston. We will help you navigate this difficult time and work closely to ensure you are not missing out on any major factors that may lead to financial or family issues down the road. Schedule a consultation with our team today. LGBTQ+ Family Law in Houston While our country has recognized and legalized gay marriage on a national level, they still may hold multiple statuses. Therefore, it is important for same-sex divorcing couples to work with an attorney that has experience in same-sex divorce cases. At Renken Law Firm in Houston, we understand the legal ramifications that are present in Texas and work with couples to help them reach divorce agreements

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Houston Same-Sex Divorce Attorney

Houston Same-Sex Divorce Attorney

If you are part of a same-sex marriage and looking for a divorce, working with an attorney that has experience in same-sex divorce cases can help make the process easier to navigate. At Renken Law Firm our Houston same-sex divorce attorneys are experienced when it comes to helping couples dissolve their marriage in any method they choose. This includes the following: Same-Sex Divorce Mediation: Divorce mediation is an excellent option for couples who wish to work together in order to reach an amicable divorce agreement. Mediation works best when both parties are able to communicate effectively and discuss important issues without getting upset. Mediation is generally more affordable than other methods of divorce and allows the divorcing couple to finalize the terms of their divorce on their own without a judge. The agreement will be made in the presence of a neutral third-party who acts as a mediator to help ensure the couple is not excluding any important matters from their divorce agreement.  Same-Sex Contested Divorce: Contested divorces are never easy, however, in the case of same-sex contested divorces matters can be made more complicated when you are working with an attorney that is not experienced in same=sex divorce cases. At Renken Law Firm in Houston, we understand the needs of our same-sex divorce clients and do everything in our power to protect their rights and property, so they are able to reach a divorce settlement that fits their long-term needs.  Same-Sex Uncontested Divorces: It is helpful to always work with an attorney in your divorce case, even if the divorce is uncontested. This is helpful because many times divorcing couples may forget to establish terms about all matters that are relevant to their divorce. Schedule your consultation with our attorneys today to learn more about how we can help

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Amicable Divorce Mediation in Galveston TX

Amicable Divorce Mediation in Galveston TX

For couples that are seeking amicable divorce mediation in Galveston, TX, Renken Law Firm can help. We offer our clients a chance to step away from traditional litigation and work together in a private environment to come up with the terms of their divorce. Not only is mediation much more flexible and affordable, but it also keeps the divorce agreement completely private. The only people who need to know the terms of the divorce are both spouses and the neutral third-party they decide on as a mediator. If you are unsure which divorce method works best for you, contact Renken Law Firm today. Our team of legal professionals is here to help you find the best solutions for your family, to minimize the stress and inconveniences of a divorce. Contact our office today to learn more about your options and learn more about amicable divorce mediation in Galveston, TX. Why Should I Choose Attorney Dawn Renken For My Divorce Mediation? In addition to Dawn Renken’s years of experience practicing as a family law attorney, she is also a Licensed Mediator through ADR Services International Inc. Using the knowledge of divorce cases and agreements she has gained in the courtroom, she is able to help couples work together to reach amicable agreements when it comes to property division, asset division, debt allocation, child custody, and more. The experience she has gained is invaluable when it comes to helping both parties reach their goals in the divorce. If traditional, drawn-out, public divorce methods are not for you and your spouse, contact Renken Law Firm to learn more about the mediation services we offer and how we can help you by providing amicable divorce mediation in Galveston, TX. Mediation offers a simpler and more hands-on approach to handling your divorce. If you are

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