During a divorce, families must restructure their entire lives, including their finances.

Frisco, TX -- (ReleaseWire) -- 07/21/2020 -- Figuring out child support is an important part of this process, though it is almost never easy.

Both spouses need to participate in the creation of a plan and follow it precisely to make sure the kids retain their stability. Parents can make this process much easier by bringing in a skilled divorce attorney to help — and by learning what to expect along the way. To help out, here's a look at how this process works.

How Child Support is Calculated

In Texas, the courts use a specialized formula to calculate the ideal monthly child support payments. They will look at each spouse's net income from all sources, including:

Hourly and overtime pay
Salary pay plans
Tips and bonuses
Commission payments
Retirement income
Alimony payments

Even prizes and gifts count toward the net income total to give the court a clear idea on how much money comes into each household. Once they tally up all income, the court deducts insurance premiums, medical costs, taxes, and other mandatory expenses.

Unless the parents have 50/50 joint custody and the exact same net income, court officials will find that one parent must pay child support. They will look at how long the children stay at each household and the net income amounts to make their determination. Then, the parent instructed to pay must issue their payment on time each month to abide by the order.

Payment Modification is Possible

The original child support order stands unless extenuating circumstances allow for payment modification. In order to have the owed amount modified, the parent must file a request with the court. This request is only honored in limited situations, including job loss, military service, or other big changes. Parents who are struggling to make their child support payments should discuss this option with their attorney to see if they might qualify.

How to Get Help with Child Support in Collin County

When you need a helpful attorney guiding you safely home during a family crisis, look no further than Lauren Cain in Frisco, Texas. With her personal and professional experience on your side, you will always feel supported as you navigate the family court system.

To receive dedicated support with your child support case, contact us online or call the Law Office of Lauren Cain at 214-326-4664.

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Parents in Collin County and Denton County and throughout the state of Texas have concerns about child custody during the coronavirus pandemic.

Frisco, TX -- (ReleaseWire) -- 04/02/2020 -- According to the Star-Telegram, Governor Greg Abbott said school closures do not give parents the right to extend custody schedules.

Schools in Texas are closed through April 3rd at the earliest. Parents with the child during spring break should not assume the closure means they keep the child through that period. Rather, as Abbott clarified, parents should abide by the existing custody arrangement. For most parents, this means sharing custody with the other parent as ordered. Joint managing conservators in Texas cannot keep their child simply because schools have closed.

However, parents may have concerns about returning the child to the other parent due to coronavirus exposure.

For example, the other parent may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus or may have tested positive. In such scenarios, the other parent may have concerns about abiding by the custody arrangement. Parents might even worry about the other parent having the child if that parent is not careful about public health. This concern can be magnified if the parents live in different Texas counties with differing stay-home orders. For example, many North Texas counties have issued stay-home orders and have urged non-essential businesses to close. However, Collin County, as of March 27, 2020, has not issued a stay-home order. Accordingly, parents in Collin County are not required to stay home. Abbott has not yet issued a stay-home or shelter-in-place order for the entire state.

To be sure, Dallas County, for example, has a stay-home order in place while Collin County does not.

If one parent lives in Dallas County and the other in Collin County, child custody arrangements may be complicated. The Dallas County parent might have concerns about the child's exposure to coronavirus in Collin County with the other parent. Yet such concerns do not give the Dallas County parent a right to violate the custody arrangement, according to Abbott. Under normal circumstances, the Dallas County parent might seek a modification. However, modifications are difficult given that many Texas courts closed due to coronavirus risks. Yet in certain situations, parents may be able to have a virtual hearing.

As Collin and Denton County family lawyer Lauren Cain explained, "the Texas Supreme Court clarified that parents should observe existing custody orders."

Yet, as Cain clarified, "in an emergency situation, courts will hear essential 'emergency' matters by video appearance or in the courtroom, as long as social distancing is observed and less than 10 people are involved. " Until at least May 8, physical courtrooms are largely closed.

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Texas law allows a married couple to have a divorce finalized 60 days after the petition for divorce.

Frisco, TX -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/25/2020 -- However, most divorces end up taking much more time. According to a recent report in The Center Square, the average cost of a Texas divorce is $15,600. That average does not include divorces involving minor children. Based on analyses of divorce costs nationwide, Texas has the fifth highest divorce cost in the country. When divorces in Texas involve minor children, the average comes out to $23,500.

Divorce costs vary from state to state, and various factors affect the economic price tag of a divorce.

On average, divorce range from $8,400 to $17,500 in different parts of the United States. Generally speaking, longer divorce processes tend to cost more money. The parties must consider court costs and attorney's fees over a period of time. Whether a couple has a contested or an uncontested divorce will also affect the overall cost. In uncontested divorces, the parties agree to all terms arising out of the divorce case.

For example, in an uncontested divorce, the parties would agree to division of property and maintenance, along with other issues. If the parties have minor children from the marriage, an uncontested divorce would involve complete agreement about conservatorship. Uncontested divorces do not involve any issues on which the parties cannot agree. Once the spouses disagree about a single issue, those spouses will have a contested divorce.

Contested divorces often cost more money because they take more time. In a contested divorce, the parties must go before a judge.

If the parties own substantial community property and cannot agree to its division, processes of valuation and distribution take time. Likewise, if the parties have minor children and cannot reach an agreement about conservatorships, the court must step in. The emotional costs of a divorce can also be high. Indeed, many Texans go through grief stages after a divorce. Children and adults alike may benefit from therapy and family counseling once a court issues a final divorce decree.

Not all divorce cases are prolonged and expensive.

According to Texas divorce lawyer Lauren Cain, "spouses have options to keep costs down in a divorce." As Cain explained, "planning ahead and reaching an agreement with the other spouse can be essential." Even when a particular divorce has complications, the parties can take steps to limit high costs.

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Being investigated by Child Protective Services (CPS) can be an extremely nerve-wracking experience for a parent, especially if the risk of losing custody of one’s child is a possibility.

Frisco, TX -- (ReleaseWire) -- 02/20/2020 -- While CPS is obligated to act within a child's best interests, there may be controversies over what's best for a child and the efforts to protect children.

If you are being investigated by CPS, it is within your best interests to contact an experienced attorney immediately in order to get a better understanding of your parental rights. For assistance in standing up to CPS, call our experienced family law attorney at the Law Office of Lauren Cain immediately.

What Is Child Protective Services?

CPS has a number of responsibilities, as outlined on the website of CPS:

-Providing services to children and families;
-Placing children in foster care;
-Helping youth in foster care make a successful transition into adulthood; and
-Assisting with the adoption process.
-CPS is also responsible for becoming involved with children and families when the family is reported to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). If a family is reported to the DFPS, then the department will investigate any allegations of abuse or child neglect.

What Happens After a DFPS Starts an Investigation?

If there are any allegations of child abuse and neglect, then Child Protective Investigations (CPI) will investigate the case to determine whether or not there are any threats to the child's safety. If threats do exist, then investigators will need to determine whether or not the child's parents are both willing and able to manage those threats in order to keep the child safe. If the investigator ultimately determines that the children are unsafe, then the following actions may ensue:

Referral of the family to services to address the problem – a number of family-based services, such as parenting classes, are offered by CPS;

Referral of the case for Family-based Safety Services;

Filing of a petition with the court asking for the court to take some sort of action to protect the child, including the termination of parental rights or/and removing the child from the home.

What Happens When DFPS Removes a Child from a Home?

If CPS/DFPS is investigating an alleged case of child abuse or child neglect, one of the most pressing fears of parents is what will happen if the department determines that abuse or neglect is occurring, and removes a child from the home as such. Is it crucial that you contact an attorney if your child has been removed from your home.

If your child is removed from your home, there are a few things to keep in mind as you proceed with your case. The following steps can help to improve the ultimate case outcome, and may be crucial in regaining custody of your children as soon as possible:

Express your concerns to your investigator/caseworker. The first thing that you should do if you believe that your child has been taken without cause or you have questions about the process is to express your concerns to your caseworker. Your caseworker has an obligation to answer your questions transparently and provide you with information about the process. Maintaining a communicative relationship with your caseworker may be very positive for your case long-term, too.

Complete all necessary steps in your case. If you have been asked to attend therapy or counseling, participate in family-based services, etc., be sure to complete all of the necessary steps in your case as soon as possible. Doing so will show the court and CPS that you are serious about your duties as a parent and taking action to regain custody of your children.

Attend your hearing and follow all orders. If DFPS removes your child without a court order, then a hearing will be scheduled within two weeks of removal. Make sure that you show up to your hearing, have your case prepared and ready to present(consult with your lawyer for assistance), and that you follow any order issued by the court. If you do not have an attorney at the hearing, then the chances that your child will be placed in foster care are much greater. Once your child is placed in foster care, the case becomes much more complex, and getting your child back that much more difficult.

Hire an attorney as soon as possible. The most important thing to do if you are being investigated by CPS, and certainly if you have had your children removed, is to hire an attorney immediately. It is very unlikely that you will be able to effectively represent yourself against CPS without legal representation.

Using a Lawyer Against Child Protective Services – How the Law Office of Lauren Cain Can Help

It can be intimidating to reach out to an attorney for legal help if your child has been removed or you are being investigated. Remember, though, that an attorney has a duty to protect your confidentiality and to put your best interests first. When you work with the Law Office of Lauren Cain, you'll benefit by:

-Having our attorney explain to you how CPS and DFPS work, the process for investigations and child removals, the hearing process, your rights as a parent, etc.;

-Knowing that our attorney appreciates the immediacy and sensitivity of your situation, and will work with both in mind:

-Working with an attorney who knows the law, the courts, CPS attorneys and their processes, and how best to proceed with your case; and

-Having a representative throughout the entire process who is committed to serving you.

Guiding You Safely Home: Call Our Lawyer Against Child Protective Services Today

There are few things more sensitive and emotional than issues involving children and parental rights. At the Law Office of Lauren Cain, our Texas family law lawyer understands this, and wants to make sure that your best interests and the interests of your children are protected. CPS can be very aggressive in its efforts – call our law firm for the protection and counsel that you need. You can reach us by phone or online to request your consultation and start the process of defending yourself against CPS today.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm