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You and your spouse may have known for a while that you were headed for divorce. However, that does not mean that your kids are expecting news about your decision, so when is the right time to tell them?

If you and your spouse have recently decided to divorce, it may be best to avoid rushing into a conversation about it with your kids. On the other hand, kids are very perceptive, and they may know something has changed, even if they are not expecting divorce.

It can be best to tell children sooner rather than later. You probably wouldn’t want them to hear it from someone else. However, this conversation may be one your children remember for a long time, so there are several important factors to consider when choosing the right time.

Make sure it is actually happening

Avoid telling your kids about your divorce if there is a chance it might not happen. This type of news can be very distressing for kids and it may spare their emotions if you and your spouse are able to work things out.

Have an expectation for the future

If the divorce is definitely going to happen, try to get an idea of some of the changes that may take place. For example, which parent will move out, when they will move out, where the children will live and when the children will see each parent.

There can be a lot of uncertainty for everyone during a divorce, but kids thrive on routines. It can help them prepare for the changes ahead if they have some idea about what they should expect.

Pick a normal day

Once you have a general idea of what changes may be coming, it is time to pick the right day and time. It is best to tell kids before any divorce-related changes occur. Don’t wait until after a parent moves out.

It may also be good to avoid certian days and times of day when emotions may run high. This includes birthdays and holidays. It also includes times right before a child usually takes a nap or goes to bed.

Gather everyone together

Choose a day when you and your spouse can both participate, when all your kids can be told at once and when no one is rushed. Then, go ahead and call a family meeting.

When you and your spouse break the news, agree on one, simple, honest message that avoids blaming anyone. Share with your kids what changes may come with divorce, and reassure them that both parents love them and that the divorce is not their fault.

Your kids may have a variety of questions at once or may need to have several brief conversations about it over the next several days. It is normal for siblings to have very different reactions from each other.

There may never be the perfect time to tell someone bad news. However, some times are worse than others. By trying to avoid some of the less ideal times, you can give your kids the best opportunity possible to cope with the news.

Do you need more than one tried-and-tested professional working on your Texas divorce case?

Here’s the answer we suspect many readers of our blog posts at the family law firm of Katie L. Lewis might have guessed is forthcoming: maybe.

Many divorce matters understandably feature a close link between high-net-worth property division and resulting complexity. And the more complicated a dissolution is, the greater the likelihood that a team approach to securing optimal results might prevail.

We stress that bottom line on our website. We note therein that, “Often in complex divorce cases, it is necessary to consult with experts such as business valuators, financial advisers, accountants or appraisers.”

That type of integrated approach is common and quick to provide added value to a divorce client who is involved in high-asset negotiations focused upon property distribution. It is underscored in a recent Forbes article using a sports analogy that likens a proven property division attorney to a “quarterback” guiding a team of professional assistants.

Those extra players can help across a broad spectrum.

Marital assets must be accurately valued, for instance, and specialized appraisers routinely do that involving property ranging from art and collectibles to antiques and jewelry. Family businesses that must be accounted for in a marital split give rise to many complicated issues that are best addressed via professional input. Financial experts can follow money trails, trace assets and provide key data on income streams and a party’s reasonable post-divorce expectations.

Questions or concerning regarding a high-asset marital dissolution can be directed to an attorney with a deep well of experience in complex and contested divorces.

If you are considering filing for divorce, you should place special attention on the state in which you intend to file. In most cases, you will file for divorce in the state that you are living in, but you may have other options if you recently relocated to a new state.

If you intend to file for divorce in Texas, you should, therefore, make sure that you fully understand the laws that will apply to you. The following are some of the most relevant.

Grounds for divorce in Texas

In Texas, you do not need to allege that your spouse was at fault for the breakdown of the marriage. Instead, you can file for a “no-fault” divorce by stating that the marriage has become insupportable because of a conflict of personalities. You should also be able to show that there is no reasonable expectation that this conflict will be resolved.

To file for divorce in this state, you will need to have been residing here for at least 6 months prior to your request.

Property division in Texas divorces

Marital property is subject to division at divorce and Texas is a community property state — but that doesn’t necessarily mean an even split when spouse’s divorce. If you and your divorcing spouse cannot agree on how to divide your marital property, the court will arrange it in a way that they consider just and fair.

If you are unhappy in your marriage but you are not sure how divorce will affect you financially, you should take the time to understand how the law will apply to your situation.

You’re the biological father of a newborn Texas baby. There’s no question that you are the legal father, right?

Hang on. There just might be.

The bottom line concerning Texas paternity law is that it is anything but simple and direct. In fact, we note at the established Dallas family law firm of Katie L. Lewis that it is “detailed and confusing.”

What that sometimes mean is this: Males and females alike who think that paternity is a cut-and-dried matter can easily find that relevant law doesn’t align with their expectations.

Back to that above question regarding fatherhood. We duly stress on our website that “the legal definition of fatherhood is dependent upon biology, timing, marital status and a variety of other factors.”

Does that clear things up?

We didn’t think so. In fact, it is likely the case that either a male or female having questions or concerns regarding paternity will reasonably want to consult with proven paternity legal counsel. Following are a few key paternity-linked points to note.

First, being a biological father does not equate by itself to legal fatherhood in Texas. If you are a dad who is married to a woman when she gives birth, you are automatically deemed a legal parent. If you are unmarried, though, paternity must be established.

That is done through voluntary acknowledgment or involuntarily pursuant to a court order. Either a mother or father (as well a child or state authorities) can file a formal “Petition to Adjudicate Parentage.”

Establishing paternity can have material and wide-ranging consequences for all affected parties. An experienced family law attorney can provide further information and, when necessary, diligent legal representation.