Struggling with the intricacies of attorneys' fees in family law?

In this episode, Jim Mueller, owner and managing partner at Verner Brumley Mueller Parker, PC, sheds light on the often-complex topic of attorneys' fees in family law cases and shares practical advice for family lawyers.

• Uncover the critical steps for securing attorneys' fees in family law.
• Explore the nuances of interim fees and their impact on divorce proceedings.
• Demystify the process of defending against a request for attorneys' fees.
• Discover key strategies for effectively proving up attorneys' fees in court.
• Gain insights into contractual attorney's fees and how to navigate them.

To hear the full episode with Jim Mueller and get valuable insights on attorneys' fees in family law, subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or click play on the player above.

What are the best practices for alcohol monitoring in family law cases?

My guest in this episode is Mike Fonseca, a national sales manager for Soberlink. He’s here to share his expertise on Soberlink and break down how this technology plays a role in family law.

He’ll cover:

• Comparing alcohol monitoring technology’s effectiveness
• How Soberlink helps clients with accountability
• What attorneys need to know about Soberlink
• Common questions about alcohol monitoring in family law
• And more

Where does post-C.J.C case law stand at the end of 2023?

In this episode, I give an update on post-C.J.C cases since my last episode on this topic. 

Join me for an overview of each case and an analysis of how they could impact future parent vs. non-parent child custody cases. 

I’ll also cover the fit parent presumption and where the Texas Supreme Court stands on C.J.C at the end of this year.

How can attorneys draft effective substantive motions?

Often, I see attorneys drafting substantive motions poorly, which sometimes costs them wins for clients.

In this episode, I share my top strategies for drafting substantive motions.

I’ll cover:

• What is a substantive motion and how does it compare to a standard pleading?
• Pleas to the jurisdiction
• Motions to reconsider
• Responding to a substantive motion
• And more

Is decision fatigue impacting your performance?

Day after day, attorneys are called on to make hundreds of decisions… Without the proper rest and recovery, your brain can become overwhelmed.

In this episode, Susan Myres unpacks what decision fatigue is and shares how attorneys can manage and overcome decision fatigue so we can show up as our best selves.

Susan is the managing partner of Myres & Associates PLLC and has been litigating for over forty years.

She’ll cover:

• Signs of decision fatigue
• How decision fatigue can lead to malpractice
• Strategies for managing decisions
• Giving your brain a break
• And more

Possession schedules can be a complicated aspect of divorce cases, especially when a family has unique needs that aren’t met by the standard possession schedules.

In this episode, I’m joined by Draper Law Firm associate attorney Desiree Hemphill to discuss possession schedules and how family lawyers can handle them.

We’ll cover:

• What is the standard possession order?
• How to handle holidays
• 50/50 schedules
• Considerations for children under 3
• Why nesting is usually a bad idea
• Navigating unique job schedules
• And more

In this episode, we’re taking it back to basics…

What are the best practices when preparing for a hearing?

Whether you’re a seasoned expert or a new attorney, it’s always a good idea to review the fundamentals, so Holly Draper and Senior Attorney Carrie Tapia are here to share their favorite tips on preparing for hearings, including:

• Preparing a summary of relief requested
• Opening statements
• Cross examination
• Leading Questions
• Exhibits 
• And more

Grandparents have extremely limited rights in Texas, and it’s important for attorneys to understand exactly when grandparents can obtain access and when they cannot. 

In this solo episode, I delve into the topic of grandparent access cases.

These cases deal with some of the same constitutional implications as CJC but have their own distinct statutes.

I’ll cover:

• Why most grandparents do not have standing to file for grandparent access
• Relevant Texas Family Law Code Provisions
• The meaning of significant impairment
• Implications of seeking access vs seeking conservatorship
• A red flag that you’ll be able to get a case dismissed
• And more

The realms of family law and criminal law often intersect.

How can family lawyers handle the overlap between these two areas?

In this episode, I’m joined by Sarah Fox, who practices both family and criminal law and owns The Fox Firm, PLLC.

She’ll answer common questions about two major criminal law topics that can affect family law cases: drug issues and recording the other side.

Our conversation will cover:

• What to do if a family law client is accused of using drugs
• Drug issues with teenagers in a family law case
• The criminal risks of using recorded evidence in family law
• How to approach a family law case when a client has criminal charges
• And more

Why is it important for family lawyers to have a basic understanding of personal injury law?

In this episode, I’m joined by Robert Greening, principal and founder at GreeningLaw, P.C. in Dallas, Texas.

Robert has spent the last 33 years of his life as a personal injury attorney, helping people receive justice and peace of mind.

He’s here to share the essentials about personal injury law for family lawyers, including:

• How personal injury claims affect divorce cases
• The types of damages in personal injury cases
• What to tell a client who has been wrongfully injured
• And more