The Veenstra Law Firm P.L.L.C.The Veenstra Law Firm P.L.L.C.2026-03-23T07:08:26Zhttps://www.veenstralaw.com/feed/atom/WordPressOn Behalf of The Veenstra Law Firm P.L.L.C.<![CDATA[What to do if your co-parent denies visitation in Texas?]]>https://www.veenstralaw.com/?p=473142026-03-18T07:09:14Z2026-03-23T07:08:26ZUnderstand what constitutes denied visitation
A parent denies visitation when they refuse to follow the Standard Possession Order or a custom schedule. This often occurs during weekend swaps or holiday breaks when one parent keeps the child longer than the order permits.
Specific violations include:
Late arrivals that significantly reduce your time
Outright refusal to meet at the designated exchange location
False claims that the child is too sick or too busy to visit
Even if you owe child support, the other parent cannot legally prohibit your visits. A parent violates court rules if they deny time to retaliate against a co-parent.
Document the missed exchange immediately
When a co-parent blocks a visit, you must stay calm and create a clear paper trail. Avoid heated arguments at the exchange site, as the court may use such behavior against you later.
To document the denial:
Arrive at the location at the correct time to show you were ready
Save all texts or emails regarding the denial of your time
Log the date, time and specific reason the other parent gave for the missed visit
Small purchases near the exchange site can provide a time-stamped receipt to prove you were there. This evidence is vital if you eventually need to ask a judge for help.
Know your options for enforcement
If the pattern continues, you may file a Motion for Enforcement to protect your parental rights. Texas judges take these violations seriously and require proof that the parent intentionally denied visitation.
The court may authorize the following:
Make-up time: You may request additional days to recover the time you lost.
Contempt of court: The court may hold your co-parent in contempt for failing to follow court order.
Attorney fees: Judges may order your co-parent parent to pay your legal costs.
While police rarely intervene in civil custody cases, a formal court filing provides the strongest remedy. The Texas legal system establishes these rules to ensure your child has regular access to both parents.]]>On Behalf of The Veenstra Law Firm P.L.L.C.<![CDATA[Will child support cover your kid’s new braces?]]>https://www.veenstralaw.com/?p=473092026-02-25T08:41:31Z2026-03-02T08:41:02ZHow parents share the bill
Under Texas law, child support orders include rules for sharing "unreimbursed" dental expenses. These are the costs left over after insurance pays its part. For braces to be a shared expense, they generally must be reasonable and necessary.
Most of the time, judges in Galveston and Harris counties order a 50/50 split for these extra costs. However, this is not a strict rule. A judge can order a different split—like 60/40—if one parent makes significantly more money than the other. You must check your specific court decree to see exactly how your costs are divided.
Are braces always covered?
While most parents agree that straight teeth are important, braces are not always automatically covered. If one parent argues that the braces are only for looks and not for health, a judge may have to decide if they are truly necessary.
Many Texas court orders explicitly list "orthodontic charges" as a shared expense. If your order is silent on braces, you may need to show they are a necessary dental expense under Texas Family Code.
Why the date of your divorce matters
Texas updated its laws regarding dental support a few years ago. Because of this, the date your order was signed changes what the other parent is required to do.
Orders after September 1, 2018: These must include specific rules for dental support, provided insurance is available at a "reasonable cost."
Older Orders: If your divorce happened before 2018, your order might only talk about medical bills. It may not legally require the other parent to pay for braces yet.
In Texas, dental insurance is considered a reasonable cost if the total premium for all children under the order does not exceed 1.5% of the parent's annual resources. If insurance is too expensive, the court might set up a different way to handle the costs.
Finding help with dental costs
Sharing the cost of braces should not be a battle. While following a 30-day notice is the only way to guarantee enforcement, a court may still order reimbursement for late claims if the delay was reasonable and did not financially harm the other parent.
If your ex-spouse refuses to pay their share, or if your old order does not mention dental care, you have options. An experienced attorney can help you understand if you need to modify your child support order to include dental support.
]]>On Behalf of The Veenstra Law Firm P.L.L.C.<![CDATA[Who pays the mortgage during a League City divorce?]]>https://www.veenstralaw.com/?p=473032026-02-11T08:34:45Z2026-02-16T08:34:14ZHow temporary orders create a financial plan
A final divorce decree takes time. To keep things stable in the meantime, you can ask for a temporary orders hearing. These orders act as a rulebook that you and your spouse must follow while your case is active. These rules do not start automatically. Instead, you must file a formal request and attend a hearing where a judge reviews your family budget.
During this hearing, a judge can decide:
Which spouse must send in the mortgage payment each month
Who gets to live in the house while the divorce moves forward
How you will split costs for utilities and insurance
Whether one spouse must pay temporary spousal support to the other
These decisions help prevent foreclosure. When there is a clear roadmap from the court, it is harder for small disagreements to turn into expensive fights.
Protecting your credit and your future
Setting these boundaries early allows you to focus on your children rather than worrying about the bank. An experienced family law attorney can help you ask the court for these protections so your interests are covered. Seeking professional guidance is a proactive way to handle the practical side of divorce so you can move forward with confidence.
]]>On Behalf of The Veenstra Law Firm P.L.L.C.<![CDATA[Where can you find evidence to support an alimony request?]]>https://www.veenstralaw.com/?p=473022026-01-28T14:59:50Z2026-02-02T14:56:42ZHow can you build a case for spousal support?
There’s a lot of evidence you can gather and present to demonstrate that you’re entitled to spousal maintenance. Here are some of the key places you’ll want to look as you build your case:
Indicators of the marital standard of living, such as the home you lived in, the car you drove and the frequency with which you shopped and dined out.
Your spouse’s financial resources that demonstrate their ability to pay spousal support while still maintaining their own stability.
A post-divorce budget that shows your income and debt obligations, thus showing what sort of support you need to stay afloat in the next chapter of your life.
Signs that you made sacrifices during your marriage to support your spouse or your kids, such as giving up your education or career to raise your family.
Aggressively advocate for the spousal support you deserve
There’s a wide range of evidence you may be able to use to support a request for alimony, so be sure to discuss the unique circumstances of your case with a legal professional to learn the best way forward. Hopefully then you can confidently proceed with your request in a way that’ll lead to the outcome that you want and deserve.]]>On Behalf of The Veenstra Law Firm P.L.L.C.<![CDATA[How does family law mediation work?]]>https://www.veenstralaw.com/?p=473002026-01-16T09:35:53Z2026-01-21T09:35:37ZFamily law mediation is a process couples may use to resolve issues about property division, financial support and their children before going into a contested family law proceeding.
Couples can use mediation early-on in the process or as late as a few weeks before their case goes in front of a judge.
In a mediation, a neutral third party called a mediator will assist the couple with resolving their issues. A mediator is usually a family law attorney or other trained professional who has taken classes specifically on the mediation process.
Mediators do not make decisions about a case as a judge would. They will speak to both couples, who usually will have their own attorneys present, and talk about out each side’s strengths and weaknesses. The mediator may make an educated guess about how a judge would decide an issue.
Practically, while sometimes the couple will meet with the mediator in the same room, that does not have to be the case. Mediation can take place with each spouse remaining in a separate space.
Mediation is both voluntary and confidential. For example, one spouse cannot use what another spouse said during the mediation in court later. Confidentiality allows the spouses to talk about their cases candidly.
While spouses may be expected to give a good faith effort to the process, no one must enter an agreement. Either spouse may terminate the mediation, in which cases the issue continues toward a hearing in front of a judge.
How do I know if mediation is a good option for me?
It can save a lot of time, expense and other resources if it prevents a court hearing.
Likewise, a mediated agreement gives both spouses some control over the result of their case and cuts out the risk that a judge will issue an order highly unfavorable to one of the spouses.
It can set a tone of cooperation so that, going forward, spouses are able to work out issues about their children and other issues without a lot of conflict.
However, mediation is not for everyone. For example, it might be apparent that the two spouses would never be able to reach an agreement, in which case mediation is a waste of time and money.
Also, when domestic violence, addiction or other such behaviors are in play, mediation may not be appropriate.
A person in the greater Houston area who is interested in mediation should make sure they understand this legal option and compare it to alternatives.]]>On Behalf of The Veenstra Law Firm P.L.L.C.<![CDATA[Key points to address when crafting a parenting plan]]>https://www.veenstralaw.com/?p=472992025-12-31T06:24:14Z2026-01-05T06:23:29Z
Who will oversee the child’s medical care and education
The details of custody exchanges, living arrangements, and conflict resolution
While it might seem simple to decide when the child will be with which parent, confusion and disputes are common. It is generally wise to have a consistent plan in place. For example, the child might spend the week with one parent when they go to school and the weekends with the other parent.
When the child is off from school or it is a special occasion, the parents are well-advised to know how to share the child. For example, a parent might want to take a vacation with the child over the summer. If the other parent was supposed to have possession, they could be flexible and trade days. When that is untenable, they can try to find another solution or have the court decide.
The child’s well-being is paramount and that will involve them getting medical care, going to school, having proper nutrition, and being suitably attired. Most parents will agree that the parent who has possession at the time will make those decisions, but it can vary.
Child custody and parenting time is an essential aspect of a family law case
When deciding on child custody and parenting plans, the key is that the parents consider the child’s needs first and do not allow personal issues or lingering negative feelings from how the marriage enter the equation. When there are disagreements, it is important to understand the available options and to have advice with finding a positive solution that will limit conflict, ensure the parents have sufficient time with the child, and serve the child’s best interests.]]>On Behalf of The Veenstra Law Firm P.L.L.C.<![CDATA[Dividing gifts can complicate a divorce]]>https://www.veenstralaw.com/?p=472972025-12-17T12:14:46Z2025-12-22T12:13:45Zunderstand the law for marital and separate property as well as how gifts are assessed.
How gifts are addressed when dividing property in a divorce
The circumstances of assessing gifts between spouses during the marriage can differ. But in general, if a person received a gift from an outside source, it will be categorized as separate property. If, however, the gift was to the couple, it might be viewed as community property unless there is clear evidence that it was meant for one of the spouses.
For example, if one spouse’s relative gave a car, jewelry, money, or another valuable item as a gift, then the court could decide that it was meant for one person and not both. It will then be divided accordingly, likely as separate property.
Gifts between spouses can also lead to disagreements. A person who gave a costly gift to a spouse is likely to protest and at least try to receive a share of it or its value. Commingling can also be part of the determination. If the gift rose in value after it was given, then both sides could have a claim to part of it. Often, this relates to property that tends to rise in value like real estate. It can, however, apply to collectibles like artwork.
Property division can be complex, and guidance can help to navigate it
Proof and records are imperative when gifts are in dispute during property division. A property deed being put in their name could serve as proof as to the intent of the gift and its ownership.
These matters can be confusing and complicated. It adds layers of complexity to an already difficult situation with other issues involved. For assistance, it is useful to have experienced guidance to help with negotiating a workable solution or reaching a positive result in court.]]>On Behalf of The Veenstra Law Firm P.L.L.C.<![CDATA[How can you reduce conflict in your divorce?]]>https://www.veenstralaw.com/?p=472952025-12-03T03:59:21Z2025-12-06T03:58:49Zalimony and child custody. But if you want to stay away from conflict, you may find yourself more willing to give on key divorce legal issues than you want. Don’t allow yourself to fall into that temptation. Instead, you should find ways to reduce the conflict in your divorce while still focusing on building an effective legal position.
Tips for reducing conflict in your divorce
It may not seem like it in the moment, but there are several steps you can take to try to reduce the amount of conflict you experience in your marriage dissolution. Here are some that may prove helpful in your case:
Reduce your communications to writing so that you can carefully frame your words and can create a record of what’s been said throughout the proceedings.
Avoid attacking your spouse over past mistakes if they have no legal relevance, as this will only enflame the matter and make it more difficult to find resolution.
Identify shared goals that you and your spouse can work toward to help build as much of a collaborative and cooperative atmosphere as possible.
Set clear boundaries so that the divorce doesn’t end up impacting every aspect of your life.
Engage in self-care so that you have an outlet for the emotions you experience during the divorce process.
Develop the divorce legal strategy that’s right for you
There’s no one right way to approach your divorce. But you need to be sure to find a way to approach the legal issues in your case without jeopardizing your short and long-term interests. By working closely with your divorce attorney, you might be able to build a legal strategy that reduces conflict and still gives you an edge in your case. .]]>On Behalf of The Veenstra Law Firm P.L.L.C.<![CDATA[Court-ordered spousal maintenance in Texas is limited]]>https://www.veenstralaw.com/?p=472942025-11-20T05:50:19Z2025-11-26T05:49:56Zreceive a spousal maintenance award following a divorce, the amount and duration of the award are limited.
As a result, Texans should not rely on their friends and family’s experience with it, especially if they had a divorce in another state that is more liberal about awarding spousal maintenance.
Even with the restrictions, a spouse who needs the economic support should consider asking for spousal maintenance. Spousal maintenance is often critical to ensuring that the spouse receiving the payments will survive the financial fallout from their divorce.
Domestic violence victims can receive spousal maintenance from their spouse if their spouse was convicted of or received a deferred adjudication on an offense related to their domestic violence within the previous two years.
Spouses can agree to paying spousal support as part of their negotiations.
In some cases, a non-citizen spouse may be able to receive support if their spouse signed an Affidavit of Support to bring the non-citizen to the United States.
If a couple has been married for at least 10 years, a spouse without other means of providing for themselves may receive maintenance. To receive it, they must also show that they are legally disabled, they are caring for a disabled child, or they do not currently have the ability to earn enough to meet their needs.
Texas law caps the length of maintenance awards at five years, except that the court can use a seven-year cap when a marriage lasts at least 20 years and a 10-year cap for couples married 30 years or more. There is nothing that prevents a court from ordering maintenance for a shorter length of time.
Monthly spousal maintenance is capped at $5,000 or 20 percent of the paying spouse’s gross income, whichever is less. Again, a court may order less than the cap after considering the case.
Whether a person will be able to receive maintenance, and how much, depends on their individual circumstances. They should make sure they understand how their unique situations affect their legal options.]]>On Behalf of The Veenstra Law Firm P.L.L.C.<![CDATA[You made a marital mistake. Now what?]]>https://www.veenstralaw.com/?p=472932025-11-06T10:04:46Z2025-11-11T10:04:14Zmarriage dissolution, too. These mistakes can include making statements that lead one to believe that you’re responsible for the marriage’s demise, or you could act in a way that makes it look like you’re misusing marital assets or treating your child in a way that could impact the outcome of a child custody dispute. You have to get a handle on these mistakes if you want to protect your interests throughout your divorce.
Tips for protecting your interests after you’ve made a marital mistake
Even though you might feel at a disadvantage moving into your divorce after making a mistake, there are steps you can take to mitigate the harm caused, thereby protecting your interests. These include:
Watching what you say to other people moving forward.
Refraining from posting on social media.
Using the rules of evidence to see if there are ways to block the evidence from being used against you.
Attacking your spouse’s credibility so that the court gives their testimony about your mistakes less weight.
Trying to put your mistakes in context so that their impact on the ultimate outcome of your divorce is minimized.
Finding ways to attack your spouse’s position in the divorce proceedings.
Focusing on the legal standards that are applicable to the issues at hand.
Don’t let your mistakes derail your divorce
You might be disheartened that you’ve made an error that could have an impact on your divorce outcome. But don’t be so discouraged that you give up on fighting for the outcome that you want and deserve. Instead, work with your attorney to develop legal strategies that maximize your chances of securing resolution that sets you on the path to a successful future.]]>