San Antonio Divorce Law Blog

When you married your spouse in a church or Texas courthouse, you no doubt expected your union to last a lifetime. Perhaps, 10 or more years have passed since that day and things have changed. You've changed. Your spouse has changed. Maybe you're one of many other spouses in this state who have decided they'd rather divorce than stay in an unhappy relationship. Especially if you've been working from home or out of the workforce altogether during marriage, divorce can have serious financial implications.

If you have children, your top priority is to make sure you have what you need to provide for their care. Many people divorce, then find themselves struggling to keep food on the table because they didn't understand how to protect their financial interests during proceedings. You can avoid similar problems by keeping several things in mind. For instance, it's a good idea to review state property division laws before heading to court.

Like most other parents here in San Antonio and elsewhere, you make a concerted effort to make sure you do what is in the best interests of your children. You make decisions every day that affect their lives, and you do so because you believe it will serve them not only today but also into the future. Then, you and your spouse end up divorcing.

Now, even if you work with your future former spouse to create a custody agreement and parenting plan, you will need to convince the court it serves your children's best interests. It can be quite disconcerting to know that the standards of someone you have never met and who doesn't know your children and your family will determine what is best for your children. Understanding how judges reach that decision may help you through this challenge.

When you go through a divorce, you are probably thinking about what this will mean for your financial future. Will you be able to maintain your lifestyle? Will you have to move or sell your family home? What's going to happen to your property and assets? These are only a few of the many questions you may have regarding your financial health and future prospects. 

In many divorces, one spouse may have to pay spousal support. Whether a spouse will be eligible for these benefits depends on many factors and the details of the individual financial situation. If you think you may have to pay this type of support or you think you have grounds to seek these payments, you will find it beneficial to start with understanding how and why a court makes alimony-related decisions.

When you and your spouse got married in a Texas church or courthouse, you likely promised to love and care for each other. It's logical to assume that you believed your union would last a lifetime. If you're one of many spouses who grew frustrated and concerned when you started to suspect that your spouse was a narcissist, you may also be among those who have decided to file for divorce.

Narcissism is a personality trait wherein a person solely focuses on himself or herself. He or she generally lacks compassion or empathy toward others. In fact, a narcissist typically views relationships with others in a self-serving light. If narcissism has caused problems in your marriage, you may be interested in learning about coping skills that have helped other spouses in similar situations. It's also good to know where to seek additional support as necessary.