5 Things to Know If Your Ex Stops Paying Spousal or Child Support
When your ex stops paying child support or spousal support, it’s not just frustrating—it’s a legal issue. The law in Texas provides several ways to enforce support payments and ensure that you receive what you are owed. If you're dealing with non-payment, watch the...
7 Factors That Can Impact How Much Your Divorce Will Cost
When most people start the divorce process, one of the first questions they ask is: “How much is this going to cost me?” The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Divorce costs in Texas can range widely—from a few thousand to tens of thousands of...
Will You Get Penalized For Hiding Assets in a Divorce in Texas?
When going through a divorce, it is crucial to be transparent about all assets and financial information. Attempting to hide assets during a divorce in Texas can lead to serious legal consequences. In this post, you will learn about the potential penalties for hiding...
Healthy Divorce: How to Have a Good Divorce & Separate Nicely
Going through a divorce is one of the most challenging experiences you can face. Your life changes in many major ways, and it can often feel completely overwhelming—this is doubly true when kids are involved. When emotions run high, it is easy for things to get out of...
Jennifer Ilarraza Achieves Board Certification in Family Law – What This Means for You
At Ilarraza Law, we are thrilled to share exciting news—our founder, Jennifer Ilarraza, has officially earned Board Certification in Family Law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS). This achievement places her among an elite group of attorneys, as fewer...
Divorce Support For Children: How to Help Your Kids Deal With Divorce
Divorce is one of the most challenging experiences a family can go through, and it can be especially difficult for children, which is why providing divorce support for your children is so critical to their long-term emotional and mental well-being. They may feel a...
The Psychological Damage of Parents Fighting or Arguing in Front of a Child
As family law attorneys, we see firsthand the devastating impact that parental conflict can have on children. When you fight or argue in front of your children, it creates a stressful, destabilizing environment that can negatively affect their emotional well-being and...
How to Explain Divorce to a Child: Your Comprehensive Guide
Divorce is one of the most challenging life events for families to navigate, especially when children are involved. As family law attorneys, clients often ask us how to tell kids about divorce in a way that minimizes the emotional impact. Breaking the news to your...
Domestic Violence and the Holidays: 5 Reasons Why It Escalates at Christmas Time
The holiday season is a time when families in North Texas and across the country come together to celebrate, create memories, and enjoy cherished traditions. However, for those trapped in the cycle of domestic violence, the holidays can be a period of heightened...
How to Navigate Holiday Schedules and Co-Parenting After Divorce
Divorce is never easy, especially when children are involved, but one of the most challenging aspects of co-parenting after divorce is creating a holiday parenting schedule. Holidays are supposed to be fun and relaxing, but for divorced parents, they can be a source...
Cycle of Violence: How to Break the Domestic Violence Cycle
Domestic violence is a pervasive issue that affects millions of individuals worldwide, regardless of age, gender, socioeconomic status, or cultural background. The domestic violence cycle is complex, and survivors face many challenges when trying to break free from...
How Child Custody Laws in Texas Impact Domestic and International Holiday Travel
Child custody can be difficult to navigate at the best of times, but when you want to take a family vacation — especially during the holidays — it can be hard to know what you can and cannot do under the law. Child custody laws in Texas are designed to protect the...
Protective Order vs. Restraining Order in Texas: What’s The Difference?
When it comes to seeking legal protection from abuse, harassment, or threats in Texas, you may have heard the terms "protective order" and "restraining order" used interchangeably. While these two types of orders serve similar purposes, there are key differences...
Protecting Your Rights as a Father During a Divorce in Texas
As a father facing divorce in Texas, it is crucial to understand your rights and how to navigate the legal system to ensure the best possible outcome for you and your children. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation concerning what rights fathers do and do...
Safety Planning for Domestic Violence & Abuse | 4 Crucial Steps for Leaving Safely
As anyone who has been in an abusive relationship will tell you, leaving is not as simple as packing your bags and walking out the door—putting together a domestic abuse safety plan is the first step in leaving. It does not do you any good to run if it puts you, your...
Dads & Custody: How to Win Custody As a Father in Texas
While many fathers still believe that the cards are stacked against them in child custody cases, the reality of modern child custody laws in Texas is that dads are regularly awarded something approaching 50/50 custody (known as the Expanded Standard Possession Order...
How to Handle False Allegations of Domestic Violence & Abuse in Texas
There’s nothing quite as shocking and frightening as a false allegation of any sort, yet there’s something sinister about false allegations of domestic violence, a crime that’s both incredibly horrible and incredibly serious. When this happens in the context of a...
Custody Battle With a Narcissist: 7 Strategies for Beating a Narcissist In Custody Court
Navigating a custody battle is challenging under any circumstances, but when dealing with a narcissist, it can feel particularly overwhelming. You know you’re dealing with a bad actor who has no intention of playing by the rules, and this alone can be enough to make...