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At Dawn King Law Group, we usually adopt a lighter tone in our blogs, however, we do want to address a gravely serious topic presently under the U.S. Supreme Court’s scrutiny, originating from a case in our own backyard of Texas.

In United States v. Rahimi, Zackey Rahimi is challenging a Texas law, mirrored in many other states, that revokes the gun rights of individuals subject to domestic violence restraining orders. The case stems from a protective order issued in Feb. 2020 right here in Tarrant County, Texas but is part of a significant push by gun rights advocates to adhere closely to some of the Second Amendment’s wording. Grasping the nuances of this case is crucial, as its outcome will significantly impact both domestic violence victims and the accused.

United States v. Rahimi

This legal challenge emerged from Rahimi’s case in Texas as he was handed a protective order in February 2020 by a Texas state court. This followed an incident where Rahimi assaulted his then-girlfriend and the mother of his child, and then fired a gun after noticing that a bystander witnessed the assault. Luckily, she was able to excape and call for help. The order prohibited Rahimi from being near his former girlfriend’s residence and workplace and from possessing firearms.

Rahimi, however, defied the restraining order. He tried to communicate with his ex. on social media and approached her house in the middle of the night,which led to an arrest for violation of the protective order. A couple of months later, Rahimi threatened another woman with a gun and was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. To add more fuel to the fire, Rahimi then participated in a series of five shootings from December 2020 to January 2021. First, after someone who had bought drugs from him “started talking ‘trash’” on social media, he went to the man’s home and fired bullets into it using an AR-15 rifle.. The next day, after colliding with another vehicle, he shot at the other driver, fled, returned to the scene, fired more shots at the other car, and fled again.Three days later, Rahimi fired a gun in the air in a residential neighborhood in the presence of young children, and a few weeks after that, fired multiple shots at another car that had been traveling behind a truck that flashed its headlights at Rahimi when he sped past it on a highway. Finally, in early January, Rahimi pulled out a gun and fired multiple shots in the air after a friend’s credit card was declined at a fast-food restaurant. In 2021, following his alleged involvement in the multiple shootings, police executed a search warrant and discovered a.45- caliber pistol, a .308-caliber rifle, pistol and rifle magazines, ammunition, approximately $20,000 in cash, and a copy of the previously issued restraining order, leading to his charge under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8) which states any person subject to an order of protection related to an “intimate partner” is not able to legally possess a firearm. However, Rahimi contends that this law is unconstitutional due to the Second Amendment right to bear arms. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals—which covers Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana—heard the Rahimi case and determined that 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8) was unconstitutional. The Supreme Court heard arguments on this matter in November 2023 and is expected to issue a ruling this term.

Domestic Violence Often a Predecessor to Larger Acts of Violence

The intersection of domestic violence and gun ownership is a contentious issue, particularly in Texas. Here, data reveals a stark reality: out of 179 women killed by intimate partners, 129 were shot. Broadening the scope, research indicates a link between two-thirds of mass shootings and domestic violence incidents. These statistics underscore a lethal combination of domestic violence and firearms, fueling the ongoing debate over unbridled gun rights.

The case sitting in front of the Supreme Court raises significant concern for the rights of the people of Texas to protect themselves and be protected by the courts whose job it is to uphold the safety of the people. When the numbers clearly show perpetrators of domestic violence tend to escalate their violence through access to firearms, is it sensible to strip these restrictions? However, should those merely accused but not convicted face a restriction of their rights? These questions will soon be answered by the U.S. Supreme Court and then debated in the public and media for months to come.

Dawn King Stands by the People of Texas

At Dawn King Law Group, we stand by the people of Texas. This includes defending their rights, both to protect themselves against the violence of others and to protect their rights against false accusations. The standard for receiving a domestic violence protection order in Texas isn’t particularly high which sets the bar low for stripping the people of Texas of their right to bear arms. However, it’s a delicate balance when considering the heightened risk of deadly gun violence involving intimate partners.

Whether you are the victim of domestic violence by a partner or are being falsely accused, we will stand by you and protect your rights in the court of law. Contact our team today to get compassionate, honest, and steadfast representation in Texas family court cases. We will continue to keep an eye on the Supreme Court’s deliberations in this vital gun rights and gun safety case.

On the first day of Christmas, what did your “true love” give to you? For some couples this holiday season, it’s not all partridges in pear trees and maids a-milking. In fact, it might be closer to divorce papers in a-manila envelope.

Happy couples get a billion songs for the holidays, so why can’t couples ready to call it quits get a tune on the radio? We can guarantee these lyrics won’t end up on the jukebox – but maybe they should.

On the First Day of Christmas, My (Former) True Love Gave to Me: A Poor Schmuck in the Pantry

Remember the days of hustling at the gym and eating clean to be your best selves? It’s okay to let this go, but some people keep on pushing while their partner just calls it quits.

On the Second Day of Christmas, My (Former) True Love Gave to Me: Two Separate Bedrooms

If you can’t sleep in the same room together, it’s probably time to stop sharing last names.

On the Third Day of Christmas, My (Former) True Love Gave to Me: Three Angry Texts

I guess all those cute, affectionate texts from the beginning of the relationship were just temporary. Maybe an angry text is better than the classic “k” text?

On the Fourth Day of Christmas, My (Former) True Love Gave to Me: Four Calling Exes

One ex that you still have a lowkey friendship with? Okay, maybe. More than one? It’s time to learn how to let go and move on.

On the Fifth Day of Christmas, My (Former) True Love Gave to Me: Zero Golden Things

Five golden rings!? When was the last time you got anything gold? Appreciating a little gift of jewelry now and then isn’t “materialistic,” it’s just normal.

On the Sixth Day of Christmas, My (Former) True Love Gave to Me: Six Hours A-Laying

Does the couch have a permanent imprint of your spouse on it? It’s not memory foam, so maybe it’s time to get up off the couch (and out of the house).

On the Seventh Day of Christmas, My (Former) True Love Gave to Me: Seven Bills A-Piling

We’re all adults here. Both sides should be contributing around the house, but those bills aren’t going to pay themselves and you shouldn’t be forced to take care of another adult’s bills.

On the Eighth Day of Christmas, My (Former) True Love Gave to Me: Eight Nights A-Wining

Does your spouse drive you to drink? Kick them to the curb so you can find better reasons to pop the cork and enjoy a bottle of wine.

On the Ninth Day of Christmas, My (Former) True Love Gave to Me: Nine Ladies Panties

Wait, you’ve never seen those underwear in your life. If you can’t even trust the laundry, you should call a Texas divorce attorney.

On the Tenth Day of Christmas, My (Former) True Love Gave to Me: Lawyers A-Leaping

Are you on the receiving end of the divorce papers? This can be a shock, and your soon-to-be ex might send a bunch of lawyers your way, but you have a right to representation, too.

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas, My (Former) True Love Gave to Me: Eleven Passwords Changing

Ready to get a divorce? It’s time to lock everything up and change those passwords. You know what’s yours, and your lousy ex doesn’t deserve a penny more than what they’re owed by Texas courts.

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas, My (Former) True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Drummers Drumming

Huh? Isn’t that the normal lyric? Ya, well if someone sent twelve drummers to my door I’d never want to talk to them either. If your spouse can’t give up the dream of being in a big band, maybe it’s time to give up the dream of them ever being quiet again.

All jokes aside, there are so many reasons people get divorced. You don’t have to feel bad about making the decision on your own terms for your own reason. If you are ready to start the New Year with a new life, contact Dawn King Law Group and start singing to a different tune.

Celebrity gossip is an entire industry. There are people that are literally paid to just write about Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. That’s why we know way too much about these people and, in turn, their horrific romantic histories.

If we really dig deeper, though, there are some lessons that we “normal” people can take out of these nasty divorces. It’s not realistic to try to replicate the life of a celebrity but even the most famous of stars end up dealing with child support, spousal support, pre/postnuptial agreements, and the like.

Let’s explore some famous divorces and the lessons that follow.

Kevin Costner’s Never-Ending Divorce

This Hollywood vet should probably turn his divorce into another country western at this point. When I first decided I wanted to talk about this subject a few months ago, it seemed like the divorce was finally wrapping up. Now, he’s fighting back against his estranged wife’s request for nearly $1 million in legal fees during their divorce case.

The lesson here is pretty simple: If you’re significantly more wealthy than your spouse then you need a prenup (or postnup). Whether or not his estranged wife is awarded those fees, it’s the classic tale of how, in divorce, the courts will ensure both parties are able to live a similar lifestyle that they had during their marriage even in divorce. After all, some people give up their careers to provide for a family or keep the home together while the other spouse works to support everyone financially.

Our entire team understands and supports this, but it doesn’t mean divorce should bleed anyone’s pockets dry. Tread carefully if your marriage is failing and you’re the only one earning a living.

The Countless Celebrity Mini-Marriages

Britney Spears and Jason Alexander: 55 hours.

Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries: 72 days.

Sophia Bush and Chad Michael Murray: 5 months.

This article would never end if we kept going, but you get it. Celebrities are notorious for these brief flings that turn into marriages and then, predictably, fail miserably.

One of the most obvious lessons is to make sure you actually know someone before you tie the knot. Marriage is a LEGAL PROCESS. There’s obviously a world of excitement when you agree to get married, but it’s ultimately a legal process that serves no real purpose other than legally securing your life to another individual’s life.

Know what you’re getting yourself into because even a short marriage can turn into a huge divorce bill.

Hire the Better Attorney

Our law firm might not be the big Hollywood divorce attorney that every actor, athlete, and artist goes to, but, unless you’re divorcing one of those, you don’t need a Hollywood lawyer – just a damn good one. So many divorces come down to who had the better lawyer. Just ask Johnny Depp and Amber Heard.

You’re on the right track if you’re looking for an attorney who’s going to be better than your soon-to-be ex-spouse’s attorney. Book a consultation with Dawn King Law Group today for Texas-sized representation in your divorce.

Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements are often contentious issues for couples. After all, we’re about to get married so why do we need to make plans for divorce? Isn’t that showing a lack of trust?

Honey, 50% of marriages end in divorce and that number only gets worse for second and third marriages. It’s important to live in reality while also enjoying the fruits of love and excitement for the future.

A marital agreement is just a way to provide peace of mind going into your marriage, but it’s important to understand how these agreements actually apply to the division of property acquired before and during your marriage.

How Texas Prenups Handle Community Property

True or false: You can use a prenup to dictate how community property will be distributed in the event of your separation.

Answer: FALSE (everyone hates a pop quiz but at least you had a 50% chance on this one)

This may come as a surprise, but Texas prenups are not able to include an agreement about the division of community property. The Lone Star State is a community property state which means all assets and wealth acquired during the marriage are considered “community” property owned equally by both spouses.

However, you are able to use your prenup to dictate what will and won’t be considered community property. It’s important not to neglect that key difference. Instead of attempting to dictate the division of community property, you must use your prenup to clarify what is currently separate property and what will become separate property as opposed to community property in your marriage.

Are you anticipating an inheritance from your parents when they pass away? This can be protected. Will you be deriving income from certain assets that would otherwise be considered community property? Income from separate property is considered community property so your prenup should account for this.

Ultimately, a Texas prenup handles property through specific means. The language in any marital agreement will be crucial for enforcement down the line.

How Texas Postnuptial Agreements Handle Community Property

The nuance required to execute a prenup that accounts for community property in Texas makes them a less viable option than a postnuptial agreement. Postnuptial agreements are able to handle the division of community property acquired during your marriage.

Couples often fail to recognize just how far-reaching the community property assumption is. For example, a real estate investor that owns several rental properties is able to claim those rentals as separate property if they were acquired prior to the marriage. However, the income derived from those properties during the marriage is considered community property. Both spouses have a claim to the income because it impacts their standard of living.

In a prenup, you are unable to dictate the distribution of that income. However, in a postnuptial agreement, you are able to agree on what happens to community property in the event of your separation.

Don’t Be Ridiculous, Sign the Marital Agreement

Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements are able to accomplish a variety of goals in Texas. They’re not just for rich kids who marry the girl from the podunk town.

It’s not just about asset and wealth distribution but also taking care of any stepchildren, laying the groundwork for who retains what rights, which spouse will owe/be owed alimony, etc.

Protecting the property you’ve worked so hard to acquire is often the most important element of these agreements. At Dawn King Law Group, we are able to draft and enforce Texas prenuptial or postnuptial agreements. Contact our team and give your marriage the peace of mind you both deserve.

Do you ever get starstruck when catching a glimpse of your favorite celebrity? Like “Oh my god they’re real!” They are, in fact, real (though who knows when artificial intelligence will take over Hollywood), which means they’re capable of making dumb mistakes just like we are.

This comes to life in even more ways than you might realize, especially when it comes to estate planning. You’d think all that fame and money could buy some good advice, but it turns out a number of celebrities never made time for estate planning. Let’s explore some of those mistakes and see if we can learn a thing or two.

Aaron’s Party Ends Without an Estate Plan

Aaron Carter lived his life as a pop icon and recovering child star. His hit songs “I Want Candy” and “Aaron’s Party” were stuck in the heads of teenagers in the early 2000s – but his life tragically ended in November 2022.

Shortly after his death, news broke that Carter died without an estate plan. Any desire he had to leave his remaining wealth and assets to his lone child is then left in the hands of the state.

Dying without a will or trust means probate courts assume control of a decedent’s estate and sort through the assets and liabilities. Establishing a will still means those assets go through the probate process, but there is at least a legally-established document providing a roadmap to the deceased’s wishes.

A number of other famous celebrities have reportedly died without a will including Coolio, Amy Winehouse, Bob Marley, and even Prince (seems like we can’t assume that writing a will is as easy as writing a song).

Breakfast at Tiffany’s Leaves a Bad Taste

One of the world’s most famous actresses passed away in 1993 but this story doesn’t quite go the way Carter and other musicians named above went. Audrey Hepburn had an estate plan – just not a very thorough one.

The “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” star outlined in her estate plan that her two sons would split the contents of a storage locker packed with valuable items from her life and career. The problem is the two of them couldn’t agree on what a fair split of those contents looked like.

If your estate plan isn’t specific and thorough you expose your loved ones to a potential feud. In this case, the feud lasted for over two decades and resulted in a long court battle. A judge ultimately decided how to divide the assets between the Hepburn estate heirs.

Be a Golden Girl and Establish an Effective Estate Plan

Want to be like smart celebrities? Establish a thorough and effective estate plan that takes care of your legacy. Legendary Golden Girl Betty White made time for a comprehensive estate plan that teaches us a number of lessons about estate planning.

First of all, the details of her estate are private and we only know certain details because of anonymous sources. Second, her massive estate made room to continue her charitable efforts in death – leaving money to only be donated to causes she cared about.

Our team can’t make you famous, but we can help you do exactly as Betty did. We need more Bettys in the world. Contact Dawn King Law Group for effective estate planning that reaches your biggest goals.

Trauma does a lot to a child. The way they experience it, react to it, and grow from it creates lifelong habits and thought patterns. So… no pressure!

In all seriousness, parenting a child through trauma is a challenge. Children are often traumatized by a variety of events in their young lives, especially ugly divorces and fierce child custody battles.

Your child’s mental health matters. It’s important to be considerate of their needs and listen to what they have to say while also setting healthy parental boundaries and punishments when necessary.

Don’t Enlist Your Children as Soldiers in the War Against Your Spouse or Ex

Above all else, we need to consider how our actions traumatize our children. A surefire way to make your job harder as a parent is to traumatize your child by forcing them into the middle of your fight with your spouse or ex.

As you navigate your own challenges during your separation, try to be considerate of your child’s needs and emotions. Children of violent, ugly divorces often lash out in their own ways and turn to outbursts because they don’t know how to process the new feelings and uncharted waters that have been thrust upon them.

Consider taking your child to a family therapist to help them when they are struggling with your divorce or separation. Trained professionals know how to mitigate the increased risk of trauma and its effects better than you will.

Fighting With Your Kid Gets You Nowhere

You are an adult. Your child is a child. They are not on the same wavelength and do not have the same life experiences to filter what is going on.

When your child is having a meltdown in public, it does nothing to alleviate the situation if you physically or verbally accost them. This not only puts you at risk of worsening the situation and the ongoing trauma but also losing custody of your child.

Instead, consider walking away (don’t just leave your child alone in public, this isn’t Joe Dirt) and let everyone cool off before having a conversation about what happened.

Give Your Child Choices (Even in Punishment)

A child dealing with the divorce or separation of their parents feels powerless. They don’t want their parents to fight and move away from each other. They don’t want to have to go back and forth constantly between two different homes where there are two families, two sets of rules, two sets of expectations, and two opinions on how they act.

Most parents attempt to get ahead of this by creating a competition between themselves and the other parent to see whose house can be the “cool parent” house. Don’t do this. Nobody ever wins in this situation, and it can actually lead to your child having too much control over the situation.

Instead, empower your child with choices in other ways. Consider a situation where your child is having a meltdown over having to do homework instead of playing video games. Don’t just lock them in their room and expect them to magically get better while begrudgingly doing their homework. Present a choice – you lose video games for the rest of the week or you calm down and get your work done now so you can play video games.

This isn’t a real choice, right? They obviously prefer to not lose video games for a week, but it gives them the opportunity to exercise power over their own situation. Giving your child control is important because it’s something that children often don’t have in these situations or with any trauma they are or have experienced that have ultimately changed their entire lives and wellbeing.

Keep Your Own Emotions in Check and Don’t Overreact

It’s so easy to take the above example and just say “No, my kid needs to be punished and I’ll lock them in their room if I want to.” But, is this really a logical punishment? The consequences we give to our children need to “fit the crime” and be short-term.

Our children bounce back quickly. If we don’t allow them to learn and grow and evolve then they begin to resent us. This means not placing an unreasonable long-term punishment for small issues that can be remedied quickly.

Part of this requires taking care of yourself. There are resources, including therapy and counseling, to help you keep your own emotions in check. This allows you to react appropriately when dealing with small outbursts from your child.

Rely on Available Resources

The trauma our children experience in divorce can last a lifetime. Thankfully, there are numerous resources available to help our children during this time.

One in particular that we believe to be effective is Divorce Care For Kids (or DC4K). This organization has groups all over that can help families navigate childhood traumas associated with divorce.

And when you need an attorney who focuses on producing compassionate representation and results for families in Texas, Dawn King Law Group is here for you.

Rule 194.2 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure requires that each party make initial disclosures within 30 days after the filing of the first answer or general appearance unless a different time is set by the parties’ agreement or court order. In family law cases, each party is required to make disclosures and provide certain financial documents. The purpose of Rule 194 is to allow the exchange of basic discovery automatically without a discovery request.

You need to follow these rules and provide the necessary information in an organized, accurate, and timely manner. This will save you time and money, and could prevent your case from having to go through a full-blown discovery process which can become costly. Our team will guide you through your initial disclosures and help you timely supplement your responses and documents..

What information is required?

In mandatory disclosures, you will need to provide some specific information to the other party or parties within 30 days of the filing of an answer to the suit. In all cases, this information must include:

• The names of the parties in the suit
• Name, address, and phone number of any potential parties or responsible third parties
• The legal theories and factual bases of your claims or defenses to the suit
• Computation of any damages being claimed, and if the suit is alleging damages from an injury, medical records and bills must be produced.
• Names, address, and phone number of people with factual knowledge of your case (potential witnesses)
• Witness Statements
• Indemnity and insuring agreements 
• Settlement agreements. 
• Any and all documents, electronically stored information, and tangible things in your case that could be used to support your claims or defenses 

In divorce cases, additional documentation will be necessary, including:

• All real estate deeds and loan information for any property owned or leased by the parties
• Last two years of statements for any retirement accounts (Pension, 401(k), employee benefits plans, IRA’s, profit-sharing plans)
• All current insurance statements and policies (health, life, liability, and casualty policies)
• Last two years of  statements for all financial accounts (including checking and savings accounts, credit cards, personal loans, and brokerage accounts)

When child or spousal support are at issue, you must also produce:

• Health and dental insurance policies and statement of benefits for any coverage available to you 
• Tax returns from the past two years (if no return has been filed, the party’s Form W-2, Form 1099, and Schedule K-1)
• Your three most recent pay stubs

Keep this information updated and supplemented

In many Texas family law and other civil cases, you may not have all the information needed immediately, and certain elements may change over the course of the case. As such, the Rules of Civil Procedure require that a party promptly amend and supplement responses that are incomplete or incorrect when made, or although complete and correct when made, are no longer complete and correct.

This means that you are required to supplement responses and provide new documentation, information, or witnesses as they become available. Provide this information to your attorney immediately so they can work to get the new information admissible at trial. It’s imperative that you stay in close contact with your Texas family law attorney throughout your case to ensure any changes are noted and included in your responses to ensure that you are able to use all evidence at trial. .

Much of what we discussed today was impacted by recent changes to the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure made in 2021. Our team is committed to keeping up with such changes so our clients can focus on their cases and what matters to their families. If you are dealing with a Texas family law case, contact Dawn King Law Group right away to make sure you don’t waste time or miss deadlines.

“Estate planning is for everyone!” Maybe we should hire one of those cool sign spinners to stand outside our office to let the people know that estate planning is for everyone… well, almost everyone.

If you’re under 18, you can’t legally have your own estate plan but can certainly be named in someone else’s estate. However, once you turn 18, there are estate planning considerations that should be made – for yourself and your family.

Power of Attorney Forms

First and foremost, parents no longer have access to the medical or financial records of a child once the child turns 18. This might seem like a big moment of freedom for an 18-year-old, but it also creates risk in an emergency. If someone is still dependent on their parents at that age or wants them to be involved in certain medical and financial decisions then Power of Attorney forms will be necessary.

If you were to turn 18 and then get into an accident, your parents would not have the necessary access to find out what hospital you are in, what injuries you have suffered, or what care you are receiving at that time.

Power of Attorney forms allow parents to access these records and make decisions on their child’s behalf when necessary. If you sign these forms, you don’t lose any control over your own decisions as you will dictate how and when the power can be executed.

Advance Directive

This brings us to another medical event that must be planned for. A Directive to Physicians, also known as a Living Will, informs your family and loved ones of your wishes and desires should you ever need to be placed on life support. It is designed to help you communicate your wishes about your future medical treatment if you are unable to make your wishes known and directs the physician to either withhold or continue life sustaining procedures. A directive can be paramount to receiving the care you want and alleviates feuds that may arise between your family concerning whether or not to continue or when to remove life-sustaining treatment.

Crafting a Will

While most 18-year-olds may not need an entire estate plan, a will can be a great place to start. Wills are a simple document that establishes a plan for any money and assets you have today – so if you don’t have a lot to manage that’s completely okay!

At Dawn King Law Group, we work with clients of all ages. Our goal when working with young adults and their parents is to make sure the beginning stages of a plan are present and financial/medical care is accounted for. Contact us and get these planning considerations taken care of today.

Becoming a parent is a blessing … but we all know there’s a bit of a curse in there, too. No matter how many of those signs with corny sayings about how much we love our children we buy, we will never erase the fact that kids can be a pain. This is especially true when it comes to the “terrible twos.”

I am an attorney, but I’m also a parent. My twins, Alex and Benny, turned two this month, and I know firsthand what it’s like dealing with children during that cute but trying time. I wanted to share a bit of my experience and the tips I’ve received or learned through trial and error (a lot of the latter).

Kids Have Bigger Emotions Than They Have Words

Toddlers are generally able to speak and articulate some words by the time they hit two, but that’s nothing compared to how they are feeling. They are experiencing the world through a fresh pair of eyes and receiving an overload of new experiences and information. Their big feelings and small words will drive them into madness and can be frustrating for both the child and the parent..

When your child is “Big Mad”, acknowledge their feelings with words and actions. Doing nothing or ignoring them when they do not have the ability to express how they are feeling or what they are wanting, isn’t going to help anyone (and it’s probably going to result in a tantrum in the middle of the check-out line). Comforting them and helping them navigate those big feelings while being patient will mean the world to them. We’ve all been so emotionally drained that we literally just can’t – and that’s what our kids in the terrible twos are experiencing all the time.

Allow Yourself Some Space

“Be patient.” I just said that two sentences ago, and I know how absolutely impossible that can be at times. You don’t need to be this model, patient parent at all times of the day. Instead of letting things boil over and compounding the issue, remember that you have the right and ability to just walk away.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, it may be best for you and your children to just walk away and take time to just feel on your own. Of course, your child will probably waddle after you in their little size six feet like a shadow … But you’re an adult and can figure out how to safely cage them in while you gather your composure and reset. (DISCLAIMER: the term “cage” is meant figuratively and shall not be construed otherwise. Placing your child in a cage may subject you to CPS involvement and/or criminal prosecution).

Work Together

Teamwork makes the dream work. This goes for parenting and the relationship you have with your child. If you are in a two-parent household, nobody should be able to skirt the responsibility of being a parent. Rely on each other to fill in the gaps where you just can’t handle what is going on.

If you’re a single parent, remember to take time for yourself and reach out to friends and family for help when you’re feeling overwhelmed. It takes a village to raise a child, and everyone’s village is different. What’s important is the love and support that are provided to the parent and the child.

When it comes to children, you have to meet them halfway sometimes. No is a powerful word, but so is yes. They are learning what they like and don’t like, and working together with them to figure out their issues is as rewarding as it is mind-numbingly awful. Remember, it is just a phase.

Let your toddler know you understand them and are here for them. When they’re screaming in the car at the top of their lungs because they want “Wheels on the Bus” for the one millionth time that day but you just need some normal radio, it’s OK to say “No”. Acknowledging that you understand what they are wanting and then repeating “No” or “Not now” will eventually be understood, and the frustration of the inability to communicate will be lessened. I can’t promise that the repetitive screaming of “BUS!!” won’t stop, but hang in there! They will learn to appreciate that you have the words and ability that they haven’t quite mastered yet and will hopefully build that vocabulary sooner rather than later. After all, asking your two-year-old child to read this article would be a complete waste of everyone’s time, but they are still feeling a lot of that exhaustion and confusion we all feel as we navigate our own lives. You are their lifeline.

At Dawn King Law Group, we genuinely care and believe in Texas families. We understand the frustration that comes with starting, growing, and being a family. That’s why we serve Texas families in legal matters and estate planning matters. When you need to work with a law firm that cares and will bring you personal attention and honest advice, contact us.

Marriage is a lifelong commitment… until it isn’t. As divorce attorneys, we understand this as much as just about anybody. Nearly 1,800 Americans call it quits on their marriage on an average day, but if your marriage is struggling this does not have to be you.

Valentine’s Day falls in February and it can be easy to wallow in your failing relationship and approach this holiday of love with a frown that would make Ebenezer Scrooge proud. Instead of looking at those happy couples showing WAY too much PDA and feeling down, it could be a sign of what your relationship once was and could become once again (but maybe keep the PDA to yourself for the sake of the rest of us).

In our experience, these are a few of the best options that could put the pieces of your broken marriage back together.

Marriage Counseling

Okay, you got us. This one might be a little obvious, but we have spoken with way too many couples who are ready to file for a divorce but never once attempted marriage counseling. We often feel like our differences are insurmountable until a third party turns the light on to often simpler solutions than we imagined.

Many churches across Texas offer free marriage and family counseling – even if you are not a member of the church. A quick google search of marriage counseling at churches in your area could be the beginning of overcoming the divide that has grown between you and your spouse.

Take Time For Yourselves

When was the last time you truly dedicated time and space to your marriage? This means no kids, no work, no distractions, just you and your spouse enjoying quality time together.

We understand the world moves fast and growing a family requires a lot of hard work and attention but so does keeping a marriage fresh and lively. The dating period creates a lot of excitement because people love the newness and the effort put into it. Just because you share a bathroom now does not mean your marriage has to be gross and boring.

Vacationing together falls into this category, as well. It doesn’t need to be some fancy trip to Italy where you float on a river and share endless pasta, but a trip to a place you both love or even a place you have always wanted to visit may reignite that spark.

Open and Better Communication

One of the most common things that divorcing couples say is that they can hardly hold a conversation anymore. Some people are just dull and there is no solving that, but a lack of strong communication is generally one of the most solvable issues in failing marriages.

Approach each other with honesty. You committed your lives to each other, so who benefits from dishonesty and keeping things to yourself? This life you are living with your spouse will grow from being honest about your wants and needs and truly listening when your partner does the same.

Explore Each Other’s Love Language

Yup, another article pointing out the legitimacy of the five love languages. There is undeniable value in finding out how you love others and how you want to receive love. The love languages are an attempt to simplify the search for those answers through five specific categories:

• Acts of Service
• Physical Touch
• Quality Time
• Receiving Gifts
• Words of Affirmation

You might be surprised to find out that all your partner really wants is to spend more quality time with you or that you feel more secure in your marriage with some kind words of affirmation. Explore this and dedicate time to cater to each other’s love language.

Have Higher Standards for Each Other

Nobody wants to feel like they need to roll out of bed and impress someone each and every day. That would be exhausting and might be impossible with some gnarly bedhead getting in the way. However, falling into the lull of putting little effort into your appearance, your affection, and your conversations can doom even the strongest relationships.

Setting a low bar for each other lessens the chances of ever really impressing or surprising each other. Keeping the bar high while giving space for failure gives you both a chance to continue impressing even if most days you’re just sitting on the couch in sweats watching reruns of Grey’s Anatomy.

At Dawn King Law Group, we want your marriage to succeed. Divorce may pay our bills but trust us, we will find something else to do if suddenly couples stop calling us to end their marriages. If you need help mediating an issue in your relationship or it’s simply too late for all this, contact us.