Sep 24

Does Living Together Before Marriage Decrease Risk of Dallas Divorce?

Divorce No Comments »

A new study out of Europe suggests that couples who live together before they are married are more immune to divorce, The Telegraph reports.

Dallas divorce lawyers typically take such studies with a grain of salt. Despite all the research that goes into marriage and divorce, there is no silver bullet.
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While it may not be a topic that couples want to discuss, sometimes it is better for the spouses and the kids to find an amicable way to split. Divorce in Dallas is tough, but the right lawyer can help ease the burden by using experience and knowledge of the law to take control of the situation.

According to the study out of Europe, in the 1960s, less than 1 in 100 adults under 50 lived together as couples. Now? That number has grown to 1 in 6 in the last 50 years.

Socially, living together as unmarried couples isn’t as frowned upon as it once was, which is why many couples get together before they are married. It also gives them an opportunity to get to know each other and live together so there are fewer unexpected pet peeves to develop once the vows have been made.

The study also found, as other studies have confirmed, that couples are now waiting longer in life before getting married, compared to people of the same age in the 1980s, for instance. In 80 percent of marriages in recent years, couples spent some amount of time living together before formalizing their commitment.

While some studies suggest that living together hurts marriages, researchers of this study believe that living together before marriage protects the bond. Divorce rates in Britain have dropped slightly in recent years, though some could attribute that to financial concerns more than proof that living together before marriage is keeping people together.

Whatever the cause and effect that leads to a divorce in Dallas, there are important factors that must be considered and addressed by an experienced lawyer. Child custody in a Dallas divorce as well as child support, alimony, division of assets and debts and avoiding tax hits are all crucial factors.

While many people only consider what they will get and what they will have to give up, a solid Dallas divorce lawyer will help the client prepare for the tax implications, potential financial stresses and life changes that will occur after the divorce is final. Many divorces can be completed amicably, but there are some that are contentious and our firm is prepared to handle either situation.

Our concern is with our client and making sure that as a parent and as an individual, your future can be brighter than the unhappy situation you’re currently in. If you are considering divorce, contact our firm today in order to set up a consultation to discuss your situation.

If you need to speak with a divorce lawyer in Dallas contact the Family Law Firm of Warren & Migliaccio L.L.P at 972-205-9750.

Additional Resources:

Couples living together provide firewall to divorce, by Tim Ross, The Telegraph

Sep 15

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Dallas Becomes More Common Choice For Debt Relief

Bankruptcy Answered No Comments »

While Texas’ economy is in better shape than other states and the nation as a whole, it still sits at a high 8.4 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Therefore, many people are job hunting, looking for ways to get by as bills pile up. Many people have been slapped with a foreclosure proceeding as banks try to take away their homes if they miss or get behind on a monthly mortgage payment. For those who seek to keep their homes or other large assets, Chapter 13 bankruptcy in the Dallas area has proven to be a more popular choice as of late, statistics show.
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Hiring an experienced and dedicated Dallas bankruptcy lawyer is critical in this stage of your life as the stress of finances is making day-to-day difficult. With creditors hounding, lenders calling and credit tight, considering a form of bankruptcy that works best for you is the best option.

According to statistics from the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas, more people in Fort Worth filed for bankruptcy than in Dallas for the first time since November. But the more noteworthy information gleaned from the statistics is that more people are filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection than Chapter 7.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy is the more popular form of bankruptcy and the one that most people are familiar with. This is where, if the person qualifies, they are allowed to discharge their debts, sometimes by having to sell off some assets and sometimes not. After the process is finished, the consumer has those debts forgiven and they can move on with life without those debts dragging them down.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Dallas is slightly different, however. Under this chapter, a consumer sets up a payment plan with the court that usually lasts between three and five years. After the payments have been successfully completed, the debt is forgiven. So, while this chapter requires a bit more money to be paid, it’s designed for people who have larger assets, such as houses and cars, yet have debt that has overwhelmed them.

The big benefit of Chapter 13 is that once the payments have ended, the debt is discharged and the consumer can keep their large assets, rather than risk losing them. According to the court, 873 people filed for Chapter 13 in August, compared to 741 who filed Chapter 7. While the months at the end of 2010 and beginning of 2011 showed a greater disparity between Chapter 13 and Chapter 7 filers, more people in the Metroplex had chosen Chapter 7 for the last three straight months.

The numbers may indicate that the middle class has come more to rely on Chapter 13 bankruptcy now than in the past as they try to figure out how to pay their mounting bills, while battling unemployment, unexpected medical bills or predatory lending practices.

Whatever the chapter, bankruptcy can help. But this is a complex area of law that must be trusted to the professionals. If you are stuck in a situation where you’re getting behind on bills or mortgage payments and don’t see a way out, consult with an experienced Dallas bankruptcy lawyer today.

If you need to speak with a bankruptcy lawyer in Dallas contact the Bankruptcy Law Firm of Warren & Migliaccio L.L.P at 972-205-9750.

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