In this episode, we examine Harper vs. Harper, a scenario involving a Texas Divorce and custody case that unfolds in Collin County. What began as a typical North Texas marriage quietly unraveled into a complex family law battle involving substance abuse, supervised visitation, custody evaluations, therapist involvement, and grandparents stepping into the courtroom. This is not a story about villains or victories. It's about how the law responds when families fracture, and why "best interest of the child" is often a far more complicated standard than it sounds.

In this New Year’s history reflection, attorney Josh Carpenter recounts the desperate winter of 1776, when the American Revolution teetered on collapse. Facing expiring enlistments, crushing defeats, and fading hope, George Washington made a daring decision to cross the ice-choked Delaware River on Christmas night and strike the Hessian forces at Trenton. The improbable victory didn’t win the war, but it restored belief, momentum, and purpose to the Continental Army—proving that in moments of exhaustion and doubt, choosing to press forward can change history.

Settlement is about strategy. In this episode, we unpack the real-world decision-making lawyers face every day when advising clients whether to settle or push forward. We explore how client goals, cost-benefit analysis, and risk assessment shape these conversations, and how effective counseling can help clients make informed, confident decisions. Through practical insights and real-life examples, this episode pulls back the curtain on what settlement strategy really looks like beyond the courtroom.

In this episode, we dig into the rapidly growing role of artificial intelligence in the legal world and serious risks that come with it. From hallucinated case law and fabricated citations to ethical landmines, we break down real examples we've seen firsthand of attorneys and pro se individuals getting burned by improper use of AI. This episode highlights what everyone should know before letting AI anywhere near their filings, clients, or strategy.

In this episode, we break down some of the most common mistakes clients and even attorneys make in family law cases - from poor emotional decision making to using ChatGPT. We'll walk through and explain how these pitfalls derails cases, and share practical tips for avoiding them. Whether you're a client or a practitioner, this episode helps you navigate family law with clarity and confidence.

Carpenter & Associates - Official Podcast - Episode 7

Thanksgiving Special! In this holiday episode, the team at Carpenter & Associates looks back on the strangest, funniest, and most memorable cases we've encountered this year - the ones that made us grateful, made us laugh, and occasionally made us question reality. Join us as we break down the behind-the-scenes stories that remind us why we love practicing law.

Everyone has heard a "legal fact" from a friend, coworker, or TikTok lawyer. Today, we take a practical look at some of the rules of litigation: how long lawsuits actually take, what happens if someone doesn't respond, and why attorney's fees aren't the automatic windfall people imagine.

In Episode 5, we break down what happens during the intake process and why your first conversation with an attorney can shape the entire direction of your case. We'll walk through the key information your lawyer needs to know up front, what clients often forget to mention, and how to make the most out of your initial consultation.

We are joined by Judge Bill Harris for Episode 4 to explore what makes a good versus bad attorney.

Take a break and check out a few funny stories from the attorneys at Carpenter & Associates.