COVID-19

Divorce in Texas after a Pandemic: What to Know

Published on: June 24, 2020 | by Jackson Olesky

As states begin to emerge from months of lockdown resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, will there be an increase in divorce filings? This question is of particular interest in Texas, where state and local officials have started the process of easing quarantine restrictions. However, with much uncertainty as to the pandemic in the months ahead, the answer to this question remains unclear at the moment. So, should a potential increase in divorce filings effect your decision-making regarding your own divorce? Perhaps, an even more important consideration is not how many divorces there will be, but rather how filing for divorce changed since the pandemic began. Continue Reading ›

The Texas Supreme Court Orders Continued Remote Hearings and Procedures for the Foreseeable Future

Published on: June 8, 2020 | by Kelly McClure

Pursuant to the Texas Supreme Court’s 17^th Emergency Order Regarding The Covid-19 State of Disaster, Texas courts may now modify or suspend deadlines for civil and criminal cases, except for child-welfare cases, until September 30. In child-welfare cases, the Texas courts may modify or suspend a deadline or procedure imposed by statute, rule or order for a period not to exceed 180 days and extend the dismissal date for any case previously retained on a court’s docket for no longer than 180 days. The 17^th Emergency Order reiterates the status quo of following the trial court’s order in possession and access cases. Continue Reading ›

Collaborative Law: Creative Solutions for an Unprecedented Time

Published on: May 18, 2020 | by Francesca Blackard

Although courts are still open and conducting Zoom hearings, there is no doubt that many court cases are moving along more slowly than otherwise desired as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. A potentially more practical and expedient method of divorce is collaborative law. Continue Reading ›

Possession Schedules While on the Front Line of COVID-19

Published on: May 5, 2020 | by Kelly McClure

As COVID-19 began to take hold in the United States, Texas and other states took action to ensure that child possession schedules remained in effect and were followed according to court orders. These actions were effective, and as COVID-19 continues to persist in society, parents have adapted to working within court-ordered possession schedules. Now, however, new issues have surfaced regarding the safety and protection of children who are subject to the court-ordered possession schedules. Continue Reading ›