Texas Family Law Insiders

Ever wondered how to prepare for an oral argument before the Texas Supreme Court? Dive into the intricate details and unique experiences of handling a high-stakes Supreme Court case.

In this episode, Holly Draper unpacks the complexities and strategies involved in her recent oral argument in the Texas Supreme Court case, Stary v. Ethridge.

You’ll discover…

• The meticulous preparation and strategies needed for a successful oral argument.
• The significance of having amici curiae in court cases and how they can influence outcomes.
• Insights into the intricate process of dealing with a non-responsive party in appellate proceedings.
• The importance of moot courts.
• A de-brief of the oral argument in Stary v. Ethridge.

Child custody evaluations can be out of the question for many family law litigants because of the expense and time involved. Could Brief Focused Assessments be a better solution in many cases? 

In this episode, Christy Bradshaw Schmidt, a licensed professional counselor and family law expert, reveals innovative strategies and insights to simplify and improve the child custody evaluation process, with an emphasis on Brief Focused Assessments (BFA).

You’ll discover:

• How BFAs can be a cost-effective alternative to traditional custody evaluations.
• Key considerations for attorneys when working with mental health professionals.
• Why maintaining professional boundaries and relationships is crucial in family law cases.
• Christy’s top resources for family law attorneys to improve their practice.
• The latest legislative changes impacting custody evaluations.

Feeling overwhelmed by financial disclosures during divorce cases? Learn how to streamline the process and make your case rock-solid with insights from the pros!

In this episode, Holly Draper and Carrie Tapia, partners at The Draper Law Firm, delve into the intricacies of effectively managing financial documents for mediation and court. They explore common pitfalls and offer practical strategies for attorneys and clients alike, all while uncovering the nuances of financial preparation in family law cases.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How to identify and manage sudden separate property claims made during mediation.
• The crucial role of accurate document labeling and proper format submission.
• Why valuing non-statement assets like houses and cars requires a cautious approach.
• The complexities of business valuations and when to seek expert opinions.
• Proven strategies to keep financial inventories up-to-date and reliable.

Did you know that spousal maintenance in Texas has a maximum duration and specific termination conditions? Dive into this episode to uncover the intricacies of spousal support laws, how they affect divorce proceedings, and essential advice for family lawyers.

In this episode, Rob McAngus, Partner at Verner Brumley Mueller Parker, P.C. and board-certified in family law, reveals the nuanced world of spousal maintenance in Texas and offers invaluable wisdom for family law attorneys.

You’ll discover…

• The difference between spousal maintenance and alimony, and why Texas has unique rules.
• Key factors courts consider when determining the minimum reasonable needs test.
• Real-life examples of disability cases and their implications on spousal maintenance rulings.
• How family violence convictions impact spousal maintenance eligibility.
• Essential advice from Rob McAngus on building a legal document repository.

Many of us dream of being a “lawyer on the beach…”

But today’s guest, Nikita Lamar, has made it her reality. 

Nikita, founder of Lamar Legal Group, PLLC, will share her unique journey from starting her legal career in Texas to maintaining her successful practice remotely from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. 

She’ll cover:

• The mental and spiritual shift that inspired her to practice law abroad
• Overcoming the challenges of a remote law practice
• Key technologies and strategies for managing a law firm remotely
• The impact of living abroad on personal growth and legal practice
• Advice for young lawyers and thoughts on non-traditional law practice paths
• And more

Uncover the powerful journey of an attorney who navigated through the perils of burnout to rediscover her passion for law and life…

Today's episode features Cynthia Rendon, owner of Rendon Law Firm, PLLC, and author of “Judge Me Not: An Attorney’s Journey of Healing from Burnout.” Cynthia shares how she transformed her practice as a lawyer to overcome burnout–and how other lawyers can do the same.

She’ll cover:

• The pivotal moment that propelled her to confront burnout head-on and seek a healthier, more balanced approach to her career and life.
• Practical and effective strategies that can help any attorney avoid the brink of burnout and thrive both professionally and personally.
• The importance of setting firm boundaries and the revolutionary impact of time-blocking on productivity and mental health.
• And more.

In this episode of The Texas Family Law Insiders podcast, we delve deep into the world of interstate child custody litigation with Mary Neal, a seasoned family law attorney at Albin Oldner Law in Frisco, Texas. With a personal connection to the challenges of family law, Mary offers invaluable perspectives on navigating the legal complexities that come with child custody cases.

We’ll cover:

• A comprehensive overview of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Enforcement Act and its critical role in ensuring fair and efficient custody proceedings across state lines
• The challenges and solutions for handling custody cases that span different states
• Insights into how temporary emergency jurisdiction can protect children in immediate danger and the legal framework surrounding it
• Common mistakes attorneys make regarding the UCCJEA and advice on how to avoid them
• And more

Dive into the transformative world of divorce coaching with Amy Tyson, a twice-divorced mother turned advocate, as she unveils her latest resources for families navigating the complex journey of divorce.

In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome Amy back to the Texas Family Law Insiders podcast. Since we last spoke, Amy has continued to evolve her mission to support divorcing families, now stepping into a new role as a certified divorce coach. With a background marked by personal experience and a deep passion for helping others, Amy has developed invaluable resources, including her book, One Princess, Two Castles, and her latest venture, a journal for children and teenagers to express their feelings during this challenging time.

• Discover Amy's journey from experiencing divorce firsthand to becoming a beacon of support for others.
• Explore Little Hearts, Big Feelings, Amy's new journal designed to help children and teenagers navigate their emotions through divorce.
• Learn about the unique role of a divorce coach and how Amy's services complement the work of family law attorneys, fostering a healthier transition for all involved.
• Uncover the distinct difference between divorce coaching and therapy, and how Amy's approach aims to guide individuals towards a brighter future post-divorce.

For more insights from Amy Tyson on turning hardship into hope and to discover how her coaching services can benefit you or someone you know going through a divorce, visit happinessintheheartache.com. Tune into this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or right here to embrace the journey towards healing and empowerment.

In this episode, we dive deep into the intersection of LGBTQ+ issues and family law, a realm where the legal landscapes are as diverse as the clients served.

My guest is Christine Andresen, founder of CHA Law in Austin, Texas, a firm that specializes in serving LGBTQ+ family law clients. 

Christine will share what family lawyers need to know about LGBTQ+ issues in family law, drawing from her extensive experiences representing cases in this niche. 

She’ll share key information about:

• Navigating the political climate in Texas
• Cases involving reproductive and adoption issues
• The potential legal challenges of same-sex divorce cases in Texas
• Best practices for representing transgender clients
• And more

In this solo episode, Holly delves into the pivotal case she currently has pending before the Texas Supreme Court, Stary v. Ethridge, that challenges the constitutionality of the Texas protective order statute. 

Discover the nuances of Texas’ protective order statutes and the constitutional debate it ignites. 

• Uncover the challenges and implications of the Stary v. Ethridge case as it ascends to the Texas Supreme Court.
• Examine the Texas protective order statute and its potential impact on parental rights.
• Learn about the constitutional debates surrounding the balance between victim protection and parental rights.
• Understand the potential precedents this case could set for future legal proceedings.

For a deeper understanding of the constitutional implications of protective orders on parental rights, tune into this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or hit play above.