Friendswood Family Law Blog

Texas couples may want to take note of the state's status as one of only nine states in the country to offer community property deeds. A community property deed is one way for married couples to title property ownership and is an alternative to the more common joint tenancy. The differences between community property and joint tenancy are subtle, but they are important, especially with regard to divorce, death and property division and asset protection.

Community property ownership plays an important role in divorce as all marital assets are automatically split evenly between the divorcing spouses. This may be an equitable arrangement if the property was bought together. However, if one of the spouses used separate, non-marital funds to buy the property, it may be unfair. In joint tenancy, all property is split evenly, but if one party can show that the property's purchase originated separately they can be reimbursed through a court order.

The former CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers wants her recent divorce settlement thrown out because she feels she was misled in regards to the value of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The former CEO was married to the owner of the team and filed for divorce before the team was eventually sold for $2 billion.

The ex-wife in this case is arguing that her ex-husband committed fraud by misrepresenting the Dodger assets for much less than what they really were worth, knowing that he would settle out of court for a lower amount. However, the former Dodgers owner is arguing that since his wife was the CEO of the team, she was responsible for the team's financial documents prior to the divorce settlement being reached in October 2011. Because his ex-wife did not do her due diligence, the former Dodgers owner is stating that it is not his fault she undervalued the team when she had all of the financial documents in her possession.

When Texas couples begin to navigate the troubled waters of divorce proceedings, they may wonder how long the process will take. The answer, however, varies as it is based on a variety of factors that can impact the length of the divorce process. A litigated divorce typically takes much longer to work through the court system than does a mediated divorce. On the other hand, the couple who is separating ultimately determines how long a mediated divorce will take.

In a divorce, delays and time equal money. Every time one party requests argumentative communication with the other lawyer, the fees can increase. The process can easily become drawn out as both sides wait for the results of court rulings since the court can take their time in handling disputes.

In December 2011, football star Deion Sanders posted on Facebook that he and his wife were going to divorce. Since the announcement, Texas residents have watched numerous disputes play out in the proceedings, including child custody, child support and allegations of assault and criminal mischief between the spouses. Recently, it was ruled that the prenuptial agreement contested by Mrs. Sander's attorneys is valid.

Sanders' wife had claimed that the prenuptial agreement should not stand because it was partially forged. However, a family law arbitrator found that both spouses signed the agreement. This decision means that the parties will not have any opportunity to litigate any issues addressed in the agreement, such as the division of marital assets.