Divorce in the digital age
by Houston Divorce Attorney Sam M. “Trey” Yates, III For better or worse, we are living in the digital age. Lightning-speed advancements in technology have enabled global electronic communications among us to accelerate to unbelievable levels of interconnectivity. Through expanding Internet bandwidth, increasingly powerful Smartphones…
Who gets possession of the family pet(s) in a divorce?
by Houston Divorce Attorney Sam M. “Trey” Yates, III Sixty-eight percent of the U.S. households, or about 85 million families, own a pet, according to the National Pet Ownership Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association in 2018. And spending on those pets increases…
Why a do-it-yourself divorce may not be in your best interest
by Houston Divorce Attorney Sam M. “Trey” Yates, III If you are considering divorce, you may be thinking about trying a do-it-yourself approach using a website, book and or court provided documents. Maybe you are hoping to save money, time or heartache by simply getting…
Before you file for divorce, prioritize, plan and prepare
by Houston Divorce Attorney Sam M. “Trey” Yates, III If your marriage is on the brink of divorce, do yourself a favor and take some time to protect yourself and your children, and prepare for this process. Learn all you can about divorce in Texas,…
Spousal Maintenance and Temporary Spousal Support in Texas Divorce
by Houston Divorce Attorney Sam M. “Trey” Yates, III Is Texas an alimony state? Alimony is the common term used to identify post-divorce payments from one former spouse to the other. However, in Texas, there is only one form of court ordered post-divorce payment obligation…
Twenty Questions to Ask When Choosing Your Divorce Attorney
by Houston Divorce Attorney Sam M. “Trey” Yates, III Knowing the right questions to ask a prospective family law attorney when you are interviewing lawyers to assist you, can mean the difference between excellent legal representation and possibly mediocre representation. When selecting legal counsel for…
An Introduction to Estate Planning
by Houston Divorce Attorney Sam M. “Trey” Yates, III Many individuals believe that estate planning, or "leaving a legacy" is only for the rich. Without a doubt, estate planning is important for those who are wealthy. Yet, it has been our experience that the more…
Shifts we are seeing in post-separation parenting plans
by Houston Divorce Attorney Sam M. “Trey” Yates, III Family law attorneys, family court judges and therapists, along with academia, scholars and researchers are all currently grappling with a shift taking place in the area of creating shared parenting plans for divorcing spouses. Since about…
Honesty is the best policy when working with your attorney
by Houston Divorce Attorney Sam M. “Trey” Yates, III Most of us agree with the simple, yet powerful life principle, "honesty is the best policy." Yet, when it comes to working with your attorney, whether it be with regard to your divorce, your estate plan,…
Did you know the law changed in 2019 – no tax deduction for spousal support and alimony.
by Houston Divorce Attorney Sam M. “Trey” Yates, III Have you or your spouse been dragging your feet in finalizing your divorce? Well, you both may have a good reason to sign on the dotted line by year’s end. A significant change to federal income…