Fort Worth Family Law Attorney Blog | Texas Divorce Lawyer | Arlington Adoption Attorneys

Smartphone evidence frequently used in divorce proceedings

2012-02-18T16:08:50Z

If you are like many people you probably use your smartphone for everything from calls to texts to emails. Not surprisingly then, evidence from smartphones is more frequently being introduced as evidence during divorces.

A survey of divorce attorneys found that an overwhelming 90 percent say they have witnessed a rise in evidence obtained from smartphones like iPhones, BlackBerrys and Droids over the past few years. The increase seems to be particularly tied to the use of text messages. The same survey found 94 percent of divorce lawyers have seen text messages more commonly used as evidence during proceedings.

]]> The survey was conducted by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), which is comprised of over 1,500 family law attorneys in the U.S.

The president of AAML explained that, "Text messages can be particularly powerful forms of evidence during a divorce case, because they are written records of someone's thoughts, actions and intentions."

Sixty-two percent of evidence taken from smartphones was in the form of text messages. Emails placed second with 23 percent. They were followed by call histories and phone numbers representing 13 percent, and Internet search and GPS histories representing only one percent of evidence obtained from smartphones.

If you are currently going through a divorce, you should be conscious of the fact that your texts, emails and calls can be used as evidence during future proceedings. You should try to refrain from anything that could be perceived as harmful to your case.

Source: AAML, Lawyers Finding Divorce App in Smart Phones, Feb. 8 2012

Child custody case examines if neglect has contributed to dwarfism

2012-02-17T14:26:54Z

An Oklahoma child custody case has grabbed headlines because of its possible link to a rare dwarfism disease.

According to a feature in the Tulsa World newspaper, a state court in Oklahoma is currently considering whether to remove an 11-year-old boy from his mother's house. The boy's father is seeking custody.

The 11-year-old boy at the center of the case is about the size of a 7-year-old. According to court records, the boy may be suffering from a condition known as psychosocial dwarfism, a disorder in which children stop growing because of emotional neglect and other factors.

According to the story, the boy's 10-year-old sister has made her own allegations of abuse. Both children, though, are still living with their mother, even though doctors have recommended that both be removed.

]]> The 11-year-old boy stands about 48 inches tall, nine inches shorter than the 57 inches in height he should have reached by now. Doctors have said that if the factors causing this condition are not eliminated, the boy could lose 10 inches off his predicted adult height.

A trial to modify the child custody arrangements was scheduled to start in mid-February in Oklahoma's Delaware County District Court.

The father involved in the case told the Tulsa World that he has been fighting for custody of his children since 2004, back when his ex-wife first filed for divorce. The former couple had joint physical custody until the father had to move across the state for a new job in 2005. At that point, the ex-wife had sole physical custody.

Stay tuned for updates from our Ft. Worth family law blog ...

To learn more about child custody, visitation or parental rights, contact an experienced and skilled legal professional.

This post is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.

Source:

The Tulsa World, "Dwarfism linked to neglect: Oklahoma child's health at the center of custody battle" Feb. 3, 2012

Is Russia suspending U.S. adoptions?

2012-02-15T16:04:05Z

In a previous post, we discussed how Russia -- the preferred destination of many prospective parents -- temporarily closed adoptions to U.S. families. Here, the temporary ban came after a Tennessee woman put her child alone on a plane back to Russia with nothing more than a note pinned inside his pocket.

"This child is mentally unstable," read the note to officials at the Russian Ministry of Education. "He is violent and has severe psychopathic issues/behaviors. I was lied to and misled by the Russian orphanage workers and director regarding his mental stability and other issues."

The child is safe and now living in a Russian orphanage. However, the incident sparked international outrage and legal action here in the U.S. as the World Association for Children and Parents -- the international adoption agency that placed the child with the Tennessee mother -- initiated legal action to recover child support.

]]> In recent developments, it appears that Russia's Foreign Ministry has once again proposed enacting a ban on adoptions to American families, citing the incident involving the Tennessee woman and several other U.S. cases involving crimes against adopted Russian children.

Specifically, they are calling for a ban on U.S. adoptions until the two countries sign an agreement that would enable Russian officials to more closely monitor the health, safety and welfare of adopted children.

The U.S. State Department has yet to confirm any ban on adoptions.

The news of a potential ban has many prospective parents concerned, as they may be forced to start the arduous international adoption process -- extensive background checks, paperwork and costs -- all over again.

"When you're over there, you see how many kids really need a good home -- and then they make it more difficult for families to do what they do, which is make a family," said one man who has adopted two Russian children.

It is estimated that U.S. citizens have adopted more than 50,000 Russian children over the last twenty years.

Stay tuned for updates from our Ft. Worth family law blog ...

To learn more about child custody, visitation, grandparents' rights or adoption rights, contact an experienced and skilled legal professional.

This post is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.

Sources:

ABC News, "Russia considers suspending adoptions to U.S." Feb. 12, 2011

Fox News, "Russian media reports possible halt of U.S. adoptions" Feb. 14, 2011

Divorcing Your Spouse...And Your Mortgage

2012-02-11T15:29:20Z

Since the real estate crisis of 2008, dividing real estate in Texas divorce proceedings has become increasingly difficult. In the past, couples would bicker about who would get to keep the house, or whether a party was getting their fair share after selling the marital home. Now they fight to be removed from the mortgage.

Some couples want to avoid a short sale to preserve favorable credit ratings, so they look to refinance the property so that party keeping the house will pay for it on their own, and the party leaving the house will no longer be financially connected to it.

]]> Unfortunately, refinancing has been considerably difficult in the current financial climate. The lack of equity in a home is usually the problem, as home values have plummeted since the crisis. Also, a person seeking to refinance may not have adequate income, or credit issues may present significant obstacles.

In these instances, divorcing parties will have to think creatively and consider several alternatives, such as the federal government's Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP 2), which allows homeowners to refinance even if they are upside down in their mortgage (have negative equity). Another option is to agree on a 1-2 year waiting period where spousal maintenance or child support payments can be documented as income for refinancing purposes. A party can also consider including a co-signer on the new mortgage.

Ultimately, divorcing couples must move past their emotions and focus on making sound economic decisions for themselves. Recovering financially after a divorce is just as important as an emotional recovery. An experienced family law attorney can provide you with resources and other financial professionals to help in making a decision on your home.

Source: Nasdaq.com: "How to Divorce Your Mortgage" January 26, 2012; "4 Ways to Get Your Spouse to Say 'I do' to a Refinance" November 23, 2011

Did a Florida man adopt his girlfriend to shelter fortune from litigation?

2012-02-10T20:50:42Z

A wealthy Florida man -- heir to an air conditioning fortune and founder of a West Palm Beach polo club -- has resorted to an unusual adoption in an apparent attempt to shelter his fortune from civil litigation.

The new adoptive father -- John Goodman -- is currently being sued by the parents of a young man whom the Florida millionaire killed in a car accident. Specifically, the wrongful death suit alleges that Goodman was drunk at the time of the accident, speeding through a stop sign and striking the other car at a high rate of speed.

Before the accident, Goodman had established a trust fund for his two children. However, after a Florida judge ruled that the victim's family could not touch the trust fund assets in their civil lawsuit, Goodman proceeded to legally adopt his 42-year-old girlfriend, making her his third so-called child who, as such, is entitled to a one-third share in the trust fund.

]]> The defendant's children cannot withdraw money from the trust until each of them reaches the age of 35. However, since Goodman's adopted daughter/girlfriend is 42, she can immediately receive her one-third interest in the trust fund.

Many experts have theorized that she will presumably share these protected trust fund proceeds with Goodman. Indeed, the judge assigned to the civil case has called the situation resulting from the adoption a "legal twilight zone."

It is worth noting that Goodman is also facing trial on criminal charges of vehicular homicide, DUI manslaughter, and leaving the scene of a car accident. If convicted, he could face a sentence of up to 30 years in prison. Both the civil and criminal trials are scheduled to be held next month at the Palm Beach County Courthouse.

Stay tuned for updates on this intriguing story from our Ft. Worth family law blog ...

To learn more about child custody, visitation or adoption rights, contact an experienced and skilled legal professional.

This post is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.

Source:

CBS News, "Fla. man adopts his 42-year-old girlfriend" Feb. 2, 2012

Ohio county using new program to address nonpayment of child support

2012-02-07T15:22:55Z

The problem of fathers neglecting to pay child support is a constant struggle for counties here in Texas, and across the United States. Interestingly enough, one Ohio county has devised a rather unique solution to this problem -- particularly as it relates to young men.

Officials in Lucas County, Ohio started the Young Fathers Early Intervention Program to address the growing problem of young men neglecting to make their child support payments -- currently only 33 percent of fathers between the ages of 18 to 24 are actively paying child support in the county and arrears among this age group stand at $4.3 million.

The program takes more of a rehabilitative than punitive approach by providing men between the ages of 18 to 24 with the opportunity to develop their job skills, parenting skills and general coping skills.

]]> Specifically, the program provides young men -- many of whom have a history of legal problems, or who are lacking the necessary education, transportation or understanding of the workforce -- with job search assistance and skill training.

"It's an innovative approach to engage young fathers, with the goal of enabling them to be financially responsible for their children," said Magistrate Sue Cairl.

Furthermore, the program -- a partnership run by several Lucas County agencies including the Child Support Enforcement Agency, Job and Family Services Office, and the juvenile courts -- teaches young fathers how to have healthy relationships with the mothers of their children and helpful child raising skills.

"There are skills you can learn that can help the process of parenting be a little easier," said Tracee Perryman, executive director of a family counseling service center.

It must be noted, however, that all participants in the Young Fathers Early Intervention Program are required to both report back to the court and fulfill their child support obligations -- past and present. Failure to do so can result in a trip to the local jail.

Stay tuned for more from our Ft. Worth family law blog ...

To learn more about child support arrears or post-divorce issues, contact an experienced and skilled legal professional.

This post is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.

Source:

Toledo Blade, "Lucas County program mentors young dads who owe child support" Feb. 6, 2012

Supreme Court of Texas gives thumbs up to divorce form task force

2012-02-05T17:35:29Z

Forging boldly ahead on January 25, the Texas Supreme Court paved the way for the state to release a standardized set of forms that could be used in divorce courts.

In 2011, the Supreme Court created the Uniform Forms Task Force to craft divorce forms in an effort to increase access to the courts. In theory, the forms would help low-income Texans end their marriages without necessarily needing assistance from a Texas divorce attorney.

However, the uniform form initiative is far from perfect. The State Bar of Texas had urged caution, explaining that family law is far too complicated to be quickly condensed into a simple do-it-yourself divorce form.

]]> In a letter dated January 25, Justice Wallace Jefferson, the Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court, made it clear to the State Bar that he had no intentions of slowing the Task Force's work. Instead, the Chief Justice wrote that he intends to pass the forms as-is to the Supreme Court Advisory Committee. If ultimately approved by the Supreme Court, the forms would be accepted in any Texas court.

Even if the uniform forms are approved, they should be used sparingly by the public. For divorces that involve little contentiousness, few assets and no children, standardized forms may be adequate. But any added complexities could render the services of a Texas divorce attorney invaluable.

It is important for anyone facing divorce to get sound advice when it comes to child custody and visitation arrangements, child support terms, marital property division and spousal support (otherwise known as alimony) provisions. A stand-alone form may not be able to fully encompass these issues and provide leverage to ensure fair treatment in all legal aspects of a divorce.

The Supreme Court Advisory Committee's recommendations are expected in April, and Chief Justice Jefferson wrote that he intends to review them in May. In the meantime, Chief Justice Jefferson has encouraged the State Bar to make recommendations for improving the forms.

Source: The Texas Tribune, "Texas High Court Moves Forward to Create Divorce Forms," Anna Whitney, Jan. 25, 2012

Can nagging lead to divorce?

2012-02-03T18:34:06Z

Nobody likes nagging. The person doing the nagging feels frustrated and unheard, while the person being nagged feels both annoyed and resentful. As common as nagging is, though, it is more than just a minor irritant. Nagging, according to experts, can actually lead to divorce.

"Nagging is an enemy of love, if allowed to persist," said Howard Markman, the co-director of the Center for Marital and Family Studies.

Fortunately, the damage may be reversed if couples are willing to work on reducing the nagging in their relationship.

As with so many other things in life, the first step towards solving the problem is to admit that there is a problem. Recognize that nagging is a destructive force in the relationship and commit to working with each other to improve communication and reduce fighting.

]]> Experts advise that spouses start by trying to become aware of the other spouse's perspective. Approach it from a sympathetic point of view. Is the other spouse tired and feeling overwhelmed with things to do? What about personality differences and how that can affect how each spouse reacts?

They also advise that spouses think of the other spouse's needs before simply jumping into habitual negative communication patterns. The nagger can think about whether her requests are really urgent, instead of firing off demands without thinking. The naggee can be clear about when they can reasonably accomplish a task, instead of simply shutting down and tuning out.

It's all a matter of giving priority to the relationship. After all, getting chores done is good, but living without nagging or being nagged is even better.

To learn more about divorce, child custody or spousal maintenance here in Texas, contact an experienced and skilled legal professional.

Stay tuned for updates from our Ft. Worth family law blog ...

This post is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.

Source:

The Wall Street Journal, "Meet the marriage killer" Jan. 25, 2011

Houston homicide detective facing allegations of bigamy

2012-02-01T17:31:49Z

In a very interesting divorce-related story out of Houston, a police homicide investigator was relieved of duty last week over allegations that he may have engaged in bigamy, meaning he was married to more than one woman at one time.

Specifically, the Houston Police Department is currently conducting an ongoing criminal and administrative investigation into the conduct of homicide investigator David G., 34, who joined the department back in 2001.

According to reports, Sarah G., 24, officially filed for divorce from David G. back on May 25, 2011 -- less than a year after the couple was married -- citing both adultery and cruel treatment.

"[David G.] and I separated on or about May 16, 2011. Since this time I have learned that [David G.] has moved to another home, with another woman and does not plan on returning to our home," reads the divorce petition. "I have also learned that he is having an affair and claims we were never married."

]]> Interestingly, a marriage certificate from Walton County, Florida shows that David G. married another Houston woman on June 17, 2011, less than a month after the filing of the divorce petition.

David G. and Sarah G. were finally granted a divorce on January 20, 2012.

It is worth noting that under Texas law, a person has a defense to prosecution for bigamy if they "reasonably believed" that their prior marriage was dissolved by death, divorce, or annulment.

Thus far, David G. has chosen to remain silent on the matter.

"Due to the fact that there is a pending criminal and pending administrative investigation, he's not going to issue a comment at this time," said David G.'s union attorney. "We want the investigation to run its course with integrity."

Stay tuned for updates from our Ft. Worth family law blog ...

To learn more about divorce, child custody or spousal maintenance here in Texas, contact an experienced and skilled legal professional.

This post is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice. Names have been withheld to protect the identity of the parties.

Source:

The Houston Chronicle, "Houston officer relieved of duty after bigamy allegations" Jan. 27, 2011

Split parents battle over last name of children

2012-01-27T15:27:09Z

A unique child custody case out of New Jersey involved settling an ongoing dispute between two divorced parents over whose last name should be given to the couple's children. The mother was seeking to change the last name of the children to her maiden name from their current last name, which is shared with the father.

A ruling last week by a panel of the state appellate court delivered a victory to the father when it overturned a previous order allowing the mother to change the names of the children. This original order sided with the mother on the sole basis that she is the parent of primary residence for the children.

Here, the judge based this decision on two prior state Supreme Court cases involving unwed mothers. However, the appellate panel ruled that this actually made the current case distinguishable from those two cases and that that the legal standard in the case should really be the best interests of the children.

]]> Using this legal standard, the appellate panel went on to determine that neither parent has the unilateral right to change the names of any of the children.

Specifically, a determining factor in the matter was that the parents had previously agreed to joint legal custody, meaning they would share "authority and responsibility for making major decisions regarding the welfare of the child[ren]." A name change, the court reasoned, would fall into this category.

The legal dispute has been ongoing since 2010, the year the couple divorced. Following the divorce, the mother had attempted to change the names of the children by pointing out that their last names had been hyphenated on some state records, utilizing both last names of the parents. However, official birth documents listed the last names of the children as that of the father.

Stay tuned for more from our Ft. Worth family law blog ...

To learn more about child custody or visitation, contact an experienced and skilled legal professional.

This post is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.

Source:

The Courier Post, "Divorced duo fights over kids' last name" Jan. 20, 2012

Feds turn up the heat on parents who fail to pay child support

2012-01-24T15:14:44Z

The federal government has officially unveiled a new weapon in the fight against those parents who refuse to pay child support and have accumulated significant arrears. Here, the weapon of choice is not necessarily more funding to the states or more manpower, but a fugitive website that lists the names, descriptions, warrant dates, child support arrears and last known whereabouts of the nation's top offenders.

While it may seem curious that federal authorities would become involved in child support matters as they are largely a state issue, there are specific circumstances under which the Office of Inspector General can -- and will -- intervene.

These include the following:

The noncustodial parent willfully chooses not to pay court-ordered child support for over a year and lives in a different state than the child,
The noncustodial parent is behind by over $5,000 in child support payments and lives in a different state than the child,
The noncustodial parent moves to another state or country to elude paying child support

]]> "You're talking about a willful intent to avoid paying for children. For their livelihood, for providing the basics that they so deserve" said Gerald Roy, Deputy Inspector General for Investigations.

According to the Office of Inspector General website, federal charges stemming from the failure to pay child support can have significant consequences:

First offense: A fine, and/or up to six months in prison, restitution/settlement of child support arrears
Second and subsequent offenses/Unpaid child support for over two years/Unpaid child support totaling over $10,000: A fine of up to $250,000 and/or two years in prison, restitution/settlement of child support arrears

It is worth noting that the number one offender on the Office of Inspector General's website owes over $1 million in back child support.

Stay tuned for more from our Ft. Worth family law blog ...

To learn more about child support arrears or post-divorce issues, contact an experienced and skilled legal professional.

This post is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.

Sources:

Office of Inspector General, "Child support enforcement"

WAVY-10, "Government goes after deadbeat parents" Jan. 18, 2012

Divorce can increase the risk of early death, study suggests

2012-01-20T21:14:37Z

New research conducted at the University of Arizona suggests that individuals who have undergone a divorce are perhaps more likely than married individuals to suffer an early death.

The research found that adults who had been divorced were 23 percent more likely to die early than members of a married couple. The risk is significant, ranking divorce among chain-smoking, binge drinking and obesity in terms of its damaging effect on one's health.

The effects were more extreme among men than they were women. According to the research, divorced men were 31 percent more likely to suffer from early death, while divorced women were only 18 percent more likely.

"We thought there was some risk," said Professor David Sbarra of the University of Arizona and one of the study's authors. "But we didn't think the risk elevation would be as substantial as other very serious public-health risks."

]]> The research, which was published in Perspectives on Psychological Science, drew its data from 32 studies consisting of 6.5 million adults in more than 11 countries, and over a span of 27 years.

While researchers were surprised by the significance of the health risks associated with divorce, they also cautioned against painting with too broad of a brush and assuming that divorce leads to poor health in all instances.

In many cases, it is the by-products of the divorce -- not the divorce itself -- that causes health problems leading to early death. Individuals who struggle with processing their divorce can suffer health problems such as depression, which can contribute to the development of heart disease.

Researchers insisted that further research was needed to provide more insight into how divorce truly affects the body's overall health and functioning.

Stay tuned for more from our Ft. Worth family law blog ...

To learn more about divorce, child custody or spousal maintenance here in Texas, contact an experienced and skilled legal professional.

This post is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.

Source:

USA Today, "UA Study: Divorce can raise risk of early death" Jan. 10, 2011

Divorce in the New Year: Some important considerations

2012-01-17T17:18:27Z

With 2012 now upon us, many people are looking to make some changes in their lives. This may be something as simple as shedding a few unwanted pounds or finally extinguishing a smoking habit. However, it may also mean implementing some major lifestyle changes, including getting out of an unhappy marriage by seeking a divorce.

While this decision may ultimately be the best for a dissatisfied spouse, it's still very important for them to proceed cautiously and avoid taking any actions that could potentially jeopardize their post-divorce life.

Today's post will take a brief look at four simple suggestions offered by financial experts for those spouses who recently initiated the divorce process.

Manage bank accounts wisely

Financial experts recommend that those spouses who recently initiated the divorce process take steps to open their own bank accounts accessible only by them. This means that paychecks and other vital funds will remain secure.

In addition, experts also advise people in these situations to keep a close eye on any jointly held checking or savings accounts to ensure that a spouse isn't depleting funds. In fact, many advise consulting with a legal expert to see what can be done to prevent this from occurring.

]]> Manage debt wisely

Remember, both you and your former spouse will remain responsible for any jointly held debt. Accordingly, creditors are free to come after either of you.

If you and your former spouse are on good terms and have decided to continue holding joint accounts until your divorce is final, financial experts recommend verifying that all debts are accounted for and paid regularly post-divorce.

These experts also caution that if you and your spouse are not on good terms, that you consider calling the credit card company to ask about removing yourself from any jointly held accounts. This will likely not absolve you of your responsibility for jointly held debts acquired prior to the divorce, but it may help get you off the hook in case your former spouse decides to go on a post-divorce spending spree.

Consider tax issues

Once the divorce is finalized, you may either be paying or receiving spousal maintenance and/or child support. Accordingly, it's important to understand that this presents certain tax ramifications (i.e., claiming new income or deductions) that must be accounted for in your tax filings. Here, experts recommend that the newly divorced consider consulting with a legal or tax professional in the aftermath of a divorce.

Consider insurance

You may find yourself without insurance coverage in the wake of a divorce filing. If possible, experts advise negotiating an end date of coverage with your former spouse, and taking steps to line up health, auto, and homeowners/renters insurance.

Stay tuned for more from our Ft. Worth family law blog ...

To learn more about divorce or property division here in Texas, contact an experienced and skilled legal professional.

This post is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal or financial advice.

Source:

Money Talks News, "4 steps to take as soon as you say 'I don't'" Jan. 4, 2012

Millions of dollars for a 14-month marriage?

2012-01-13T18:03:55Z

How does someone who makes $8 million a year wind up even richer after a divorce? When his former spouse makes $45 million, and there is no prenuptial agreement.

This could be the sad but true story of celebrity couple Russell Brand and Katy Perry, who are now spitting up after a mere 14-month marriage.

Brand, an actor and comedian, is the relatively "poorer" of the two. Forbes magazine estimates that in the last year, Brand made $6 to $8 million from his films, performances and books. In contrast, Katy Perry, a superstar singer, is believed to have made about $45 million during the course of the marriage.

"The vast majority of her money is coming from touring," said Dorothy Pomerantz of Forbes magazine. "She's also really smart, she makes a ton of money from her endorsements and she's even launched a perfume line (called Purr) and that's all a great source of money too, but most of her money comes from being on tour."

]]> According to California law, money earned during a marriage is considered community property, meaning that it is split equally if a couple gets divorced.

Accordingly, since Perry's work income during the marriage was so much higher than Brand's, Brand is the one who will benefit the most -- assuming, that is, that they have no prenuptial agreement and that they really were married in California.

(Their marriage ceremony was actually held in India. However, since they lived in California, both legal experts and celebrity watchers alike believe that the couple probably had a California marriage license.)

Perry certainly wouldn't be the first celebrity in recent memory to pay a big sum in a divorce. Mel Gibson's former wife Robyn received $425 million after their 29-year marriage broke up. Elin Nordegren, the former wife of Tiger Woods, is said to have received about $100 million in her divorce settlement. None of them can hold a candle, though, to Anna Murdoch, who received $1.7 billion when she split from husband Rupert in 1999.

Stay tuned for more from our Ft. Worth family law blog ...

To learn more about divorce or property division here in Texas, contact an experienced and skilled legal professional.

This post is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.

Source:

MSNBC, "Who walks away richer from Perry-Brand split?" Jan. 4, 2012

More divorcing couples addressing matters of faith

2012-01-09T19:16:32Z

When it comes to child custody agreements, most people would probably think that they were generally straightforward and could even be somewhat open-ended when it came to such matters as health, education or religion -- perhaps indicating that the parents will solve such matters jointly.

While this is certainly true of many agreements, it appears that more and more parents are now choosing to spell out in greater detail how they will handle matters of religious faith in their child custody agreements.

For example, instead of simply listing which parent will get the children for holidays, the child custody agreement may outline the faith under which the child will be raised, the number of years the child will attend Sunday school, the type of services to be attended and the degree to which a non-custodial parent may discuss matters of faith.

While spelling out a child's religious upbringing in such a precise and detailed manner may seem somewhat unrealistic and perhaps even awkward, some family professionals argue that it can help prevent fighting among divorced spouses and even introduce some much-needed stability for the children.

]]> However, other experts point out that a person's point of view concerning religion can change dramatically over the years, such that a parent -- or even their children -- may no longer wish to follow the rather rigid confines set forth in the custody agreement.

"The thing that has to be impressed on parents is, you don't want to confuse your kid," said Darcy Shoop, a Maryland-based divorce attorney. "You have to be careful with this stuff."

No matter what side of the issue these experts support, it appears increasingly likely that more divorcing couples will continue to spell out matters of faith in their child custody agreements/parenting plans.

What are your thoughts on this topic? Do you think parents are better off being more general or more specific when it comes to religion?

Stay tuned for more from our Ft. Worth family law blog ...

To learn more about child custody or visitation, contact an experienced and skilled legal professional.

This post is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.

Source:

The Washington Post, "Divorce's details: Custody agreements are getting more complex" Dec. 26, 2011