Texas Family Law Insiders

In this episode, we’re taking it back to basics… What are the best practices when preparing for a hearing? Whether you’re a seasoned expert or a new attorney, it’s always a good idea to review the fundamentals, so Holly Draper and Senior Attorney Carrie Tapia are here to share their favorite tips on preparing for hearings, including: Preparing a summary of relief requested Opening statements Cross...

Grandparents have extremely limited rights in Texas, and it’s important for attorneys to understand exactly when grandparents can obtain access and when they cannot.  In this solo episode, I delve into the topic of grandparent access cases. These cases deal with some of the same constitutional implications as CJC but have their own distinct statutes. I’ll cover: Why most grandparents do not have s...

The realms of family law and criminal law often intersect. How can family lawyers handle the overlap between these two areas? In this episode, I’m joined by Sarah Fox, who practices both family and criminal law and owns The Fox Firm, PLLC. She’ll answer common questions about two major criminal law topics that can affect family law cases: drug issues and recording the other side. Our conversation...

Why is it important for family lawyers to have a basic understanding of personal injury law? In this episode, I’m joined by Robert Greening, principal and founder at GreeningLaw, P.C. in Dallas, Texas. Robert has spent the last 33 years of his life as a personal injury attorney, helping people receive justice and peace of mind. He’s here to share the essentials about personal injury law for family...

Most family lawyers don’t know enough about the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction… What are the must-know facts that family lawyers should be aware of if this convention becomes relevant to a client? In this episode, Natalie Webb of Webb Family Law will break down the Hague Convention and its impact on family law. She’ll cover: When does the Hague Convention apply? Common misconcep...

What do attorneys need to know about the common psychological elements of family law cases? In many divorce cases, a client may bring up concepts like narcissism and emotional abuse… In this episode, we’ll cover how attorneys can navigate these situations, especially in high conflict cases.  My guest Christopher Meyer is a veteran and law firm owner whose practice focuses on high conflict divorce,...

How can intellectual property law affect divorce cases? In this episode, I’m joined by intellectual property attorney Wei Wei Jeang to cover this area that may be unfamiliar to family lawyers. Effective August 1, 2023, Wei Wei Jeang is a founding partner of the new law firm Fulton Jeang PLLC, a Texas-based virtual business law firm. Fulton Jeang focuses on corporate, securities, intellectual prope...

What common mistakes do family law attorneys make when it comes to appeals? In this episode, I’ll cover what family lawyers need to know about the process of preparing a case for appeal or a mandamus. I’ll answer common questions such as: The difference between an appeal and a mandamus How to create a record The process of redacting Objecting and preserving the record when judges are difficult App...

How can family lawyers help women with careers navigate divorce? Lindsey Obenhaus, a partner at Goranson Bain Ausley, regularly helps women in this situation. In this episode, she’ll cover the major considerations for these clients, including: The history of alimony in Texas Dealing with possession schedules as a working mother Creative solutions to deviate from the standard possession schedule Pr...

Most attorneys make this crucial mistake about C.J.C… They believe it’s a standing case—but it’s not. In this episode, we’ll cover why attorneys have that misconception and explore the ins and outs of standing in family law cases. Here to join me is Jimmy Evans of Evans Family Law Group. Jimmy has been practicing law in Texas since 1995, has been board certified in family law since 2010, and has h...

What are the 7 essential systems a law firm needs? My guest Davina Frederick is the founder and CEO of Wealthy Woman Lawyer, a company that helps women law firm owners scale their law firm businesses to and through 1 million dollars in gross annual revenue without burning themselves out in the process. In this episode, she’ll share the internal and external systems that can help you grow your law...

What is a divorce lending professional and how can they help your clients? John Snell specializes in helping divorcing homeowners make better informed decisions regarding their property, mortgage, and home equity options. In this episode, he’ll share the challenges and opportunities of helping divorcing parties and even stay-at-home parents navigate lending options. John will cover: How child supp...

How can family lawyers use technology to create work-life balance and provide a seamless client experience? Regina Edwards, owner and managing attorney of Edwards Family Law in Gwinnett County, Georgia, created the Facebook group Lawyer on the Beach to help other attorneys do just that. Now, she’s here to share her favorite tech tools and processes with you. She’ll cover: Designing an intake proce...

What do family lawyers need to know about receivership? My guest Travis Cross is the owner of the Lawyer’s Receivership Group, a receivership company based out of North Texas. In this episode, he’ll answer common questions such as: What is receivership? What are the 5 qualifications to be a receiver? Why should a receiver be both an attorney and a realtor? When should family lawyers get a receiver...

Real estate is most people’s #1 asset… It can be a crucial component to divorce cases, but many family lawyers lack experience in this area. James Victor Esh is here to fix that. As a former title lawyer and practicing family lawyer, he understands how the nuances of real estate impact family law.   In this episode, he’ll share the most important facts family lawyers need to know about real estate...

What goes on behind the scenes at the Office of the Attorney General? Jonathan Fox spent years working in the Office of the Attorney General and was named 2016 Assistant Attorney General of the Year. He is here to share his expertise on issues related to the Office of the Attorney General. He’ll break down common questions from family lawyers, including: What happens at the OAG when someone files...

When is competency relevant in a family law context?   A competency issue can come into play in an enforcement proceeding—but understanding when and how to address it is critical. In this episode, Judge Scott Becker joins me to share his expertise on competency. He’ll cover: What qualifies as competent or incompetent When to use competency What to do when you have competency concerns about a clien...

How can you protect your clients when Child Protective Services becomes involved in a family law matter? Carrie Tapia, a Senior Attorney with The Draper Law Firm, is a former CPS caseworker. She uses that experience to guide family law clients as they navigate involvement with CPS and represents clients in appealing unfavorable CPS outcomes. In this episode, Carrie shares her expertise on navigati...

Lawyers have an ethical obligation to be up to date with technology…   But many don’t know the latest available tools to make their lives easier…   In this episode, Christene “Chris” Krupa Downs covers what lawyers need to know about technology, including the must-know apps and how to utilize them.   She’ll cover: Tips for scanning documents Internet security issues Password protection Translation...

What’s currently happening in parent vs non-parent custody litigation? It has been over two years since the C.J.C. decision, so today I give you the latest updates in parent vs. non-parent child custody litigation. As I launch my new book on this subject, I give you some tips and tricks for handling your next parent vs non-parent child custody case. In this episode, I’ll cover: Why you should alwa...

Most family lawyers don’t know what it’s like to be on the “other side of the table…”   But when we do experience family law firsthand, it gives us incredible perspective on how to best serve our clients…   Hannah Hembree Bell is here to share how her own divorce shaped her journey as a family law attorney—and what you can learn from someone who has been in your client’s shoes.   Hannah also discu...

What are the legal rights & duties of parents? When divorced or separated parents disagree, it can be hard to determine who gets to make a decision about their child. Adam Dietrich is here to break down how family lawyers can navigate these complicated scenarios and how we can change how we draft orders to make rights and duties more enforceable.  We’ll cover: What rights & duties do both...

As cryptocurrency becomes widespread, it’s becoming an issue in family law cases. But many lawyers lack an understanding of cryptocurrency and how it can affect division of property in divorce cases.  Baylor University Law Professor Stephanie Tang is here to break down the basics of cryptocurrency and discuss how the world of family law has adapted to the growth of digital currency. We’ll cover: W...

When the military intersects with family law, attorneys may feel out of their comfort zone…   Suddenly, you have to navigate complex policies that you’re unfamiliar with…   And face unique family circumstances such as deployment & childcare…   In this episode, Thomas Just shares his expertise on military family law and breaks down some of the essential facts attorneys need to consider when wor...

Should you add a litigation strategist to your team?   A litigation strategist can be an invaluable tool for an attorney…   They can keep you organized, help you select the best clients, and save your clients money…   Jerome Stein is here to give you an inside look at his role as a litigation strategist and break down why attorneys can benefit from one.