Law Office of Bryan Fagan PLLC Podcast

Worried you can’t afford to file for divorce? In Texas, some people may qualify for a court fee waiver , allowing them to move forward without paying certain filing costs upfront. In this episode, we break down how the Texas divorce fee waiver process works and what you need to know before applying. We cover: ✅ What a court fee waiver is under Texas law ✅ Who may qualify based on income or finan...

Being listed on a birth certificate doesn’t always guarantee legal parental rights in Texas. In this episode, we break down how paternity actions work in Dallas County and why legally establishing paternity is critical for both parents and children. We cover: ✅ What a paternity action is under Texas law ✅ The difference between biological fatherhood and legal paternity ✅ How paternity is establ...

Being listed on a birth certificate doesn’t always guarantee legal parental rights in Texas. In this episode, we break down how paternity actions work in Dallas County and why legally establishing paternity is critical for both parents and children. We cover: ✅ What a paternity action is under Texas law ✅ The difference between biological fatherhood and legal paternity ✅ How paternity is establ...

Many people assume an uncontested divorce is always cheap, simple, and automatic — but the reality is more complicated. In this episode, we break down the true cost of an uncontested divorce in Texas and the common misconceptions that lead people into expensive mistakes. We cover: ✅ What actually qualifies as an uncontested divorce ✅ Typical filing fees, court costs, and attorney expenses ✅ The...

Grandparents often play a major role in a child’s life — but when family relationships break down, many are left asking: What rights do grandparents actually have in Texas? In this episode, we break down how grandparents’ rights are handled in Dallas County and when courts may allow visitation or custody. We cover: ✅ When grandparents may seek visitation or custody rights ✅ The high legal standa...

Building a family through assisted reproduction is exciting — but it also requires careful legal planning. In this episode, we break down how gestational agreements work in Dallas County and why they are critical for protecting parental rights in Texas surrogacy arrangements. We cover: ✅ What a gestational agreement is and when it’s used ✅ The difference between gestational surrogacy and traditi...

When people ask “How much does a divorce cost?” , the real answer is: it depends — on your situation, your level of conflict, and how your case is handled. In this episode, we go beyond surface-level numbers and break down what divorce actually costs in Texas — and what those costs really mean for your future. We cover: ✅ The difference between uncontested and contested divorce costs ✅ Filing fe...

Most people think about prenuptial agreements before marriage — but what if you’re already married? In this episode, we break down how postnuptial agreements work in Dallas County and how couples can use them to protect assets, clarify financial expectations, and plan for the future. We cover: ✅ What a postnuptial agreement is and how it differs from a prenup ✅ Why couples create postnups after...

If you’re considering a divorce, one of the first questions you probably have is: How much is this going to cost? In this episode, we break down the real cost of a simple divorce in Texas and what factors can impact your total expense. We cover: ✅ Typical filing fees and court costs in Texas ✅ What makes a divorce “simple” or uncontested ✅ Attorney fees vs. DIY divorce options ✅ Hidden costs —...

Many people believe that if they never had a wedding, they don’t need a divorce — but in Texas, that’s not always true. If you were in a common law (informal) marriage , you may still need a formal divorce to legally separate. In this episode, we break down how common law divorce works in Dallas County and what you need to know. We cover: ✅ What qualifies as a common law marriage in Texas ✅ How...

Spousal maintenance laws in Texas have evolved over time — and those changes can directly impact your divorce case. In this episode, we break down how Texas laws on spousal support have changed , what those changes mean today, and how they may affect your rights and obligations. We cover: ✅ How Texas historically approached spousal maintenance (alimony) ✅ Key legal changes that expanded eligibil...

Adoption is one of the most meaningful ways to build a family — but it also comes with strict legal requirements that must be followed carefully. In this episode, we break down how Texas adoption law really works and what you need to do to protect your child’s future. We cover: ✅ The different types of adoption in Texas — stepparent, relative, private, and agency ✅ Legal requirements for adoptiv...

When Child Protective Services (CPS) gets involved, everything can feel urgent, confusing, and overwhelming. In this episode, we break down how CPS investigations and cases are handled in Dallas County , and what you need to know to protect your parental rights from the very beginning. We cover: ✅ What triggers a CPS investigation and how cases begin ✅ What CPS can — and cannot — legally do ✅ Y...

Filing for divorce can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to understand the rules, deadlines, and court procedures in Dallas County . In this episode, we walk you through the divorce filing process step by step so you know what to expect before you begin. We cover: ✅ Texas residency requirements before filing ✅ How to prepare and file the Original Petition for Divorce ✅ Where divo...

It’s a question many people ask — Can I stop paying child support? In this episode, we break down the legal reality of child support obligations in Texas and what options may (and may not) be available. We cover: ✅ Why child support is considered a legal obligation to the child — not the other parent ✅ Situations where child support can legally end or be modified ✅ The difference between termin...

When going through a divorce in Dallas County , one of the biggest concerns is: Who gets what? Many assume everything is split 50/50 — but Texas law is more complex than that. In this episode, we break down how asset division actually works in Dallas divorces and what you need to know to protect your financial future. We cover: ✅ What qualifies as community property vs. separate property ✅ Why T...

Owing back child support — also known as arrears — can feel overwhelming. Many parents ask: Can these past-due amounts ever be reduced or eliminated? In this episode, we break down the real legal options in Texas and what you should realistically expect. We cover: ✅ What child support arrears are and how they accumulate ✅ Why arrears generally cannot be erased under Texas law ✅ Situations where...

In Texas, “visitation” isn’t the term used in court — instead, it’s called possession and access . But what does that actually mean for your parenting time? In this episode, we break down how visitation works under Texas law and what parents need to know to protect their relationship with their child. We cover: ✅ What possession and access means in Texas family law ✅ How a Standard Possession Or...

In Texas, “visitation” isn’t the term used in court — instead, it’s called possession and access . But what does that actually mean for your parenting time? In this episode, we break down how visitation works under Texas law and what parents need to know to protect their relationship with their child. We cover: ✅ What possession and access means in Texas family law ✅ How a Standard Possession Or...

If you’re going through a divorce in Dallas County , you may be wondering whether alimony — known in Texas as spousal maintenance — applies to your case. In this episode, we break down how spousal support works under Texas law and what Dallas courts consider when awarding it. We cover: ✅ The difference between contractual alimony and court-ordered spousal maintenance ✅ Who qualifies for spousal...

If you’re ready to file for divorce in Dallas County , knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. In this episode, we break down the exact steps to begin your divorce in Dallas, Texas — from meeting legal requirements to filing your first document. We cover: ✅ Texas residency requirements (6 months in Texas + 90 days in your county) ✅ How to file the Original Petition for Divorce ✅ Where and...

Thinking about divorce in Dallas, Texas ? Before you file, it’s critical to understand how the process works in Dallas County courts and what decisions will impact your future. In this episode, we break down the divorce process step-by-step so you know what to expect from start to finish. We cover: ✅ Texas residency requirements and how to properly file in Dallas County ✅ The difference between...

Spousal maintenance — often called alimony — is one of the most misunderstood aspects of divorce in Texas. Many assume it’s automatic, but in reality, Texas has strict eligibility rules and limits . In this episode, we break down how spousal maintenance really works and what you need to know before filing or negotiating your divorce. We cover: ✅ Who qualifies for spousal maintenance under Texas l...

Dividing assets is only half the story in a divorce — debt division can be just as important, and often just as contested. In this episode, we break down how marital debt is handled in Dallas County and what you need to know to protect your financial future. We cover: ✅ What counts as community debt vs. separate debt under Texas law ✅ How courts divide credit cards, loans, mortgages, and other o...

Alimony — known in Texas as spousal maintenance — is one of the most misunderstood parts of divorce. Who qualifies? How much is paid? And how long does it last? In this episode, we break down how alimony actually works under Texas law so you can understand your rights and obligations. We cover: ✅ The difference between contractual alimony and court-ordered spousal maintenance ✅ Who qualifies for...