If some family law advocates have their way, divorcing parents in Texas and around the country may serve as legally equal partners in the raising of their children. The idea of shared child custody, not just on paper but also in terms of responsibilities and parenting time, seems to be gaining ground. Some feel this is a reflection of the changes in gender roles over the past few decades, creating a situation in which many noncustodial parents chafe at the limited roles allowed them by the courts.
Jon Gosselin wants primary custody of sextuplets
Texas fans of reality TV may remember the show "Jon & Kate Plus 8," in which father Jon Gosselin and mother Kate dealt with not only a set of twins but sextuplets as well. The show has been off the air for years, and even though Jon and Kate divorced long ago, a new child custody wrinkle recently appeared in their story. Jon said during a magazine interview that he was ready to sue Kate for custody of their sextuplets, now nine years of age.
Inaccurate birth date records affect many adopted children
Some Texas residents may be familiar with the issues surrounding inaccurate birth dates in adoption cases. If a child whose true birth date differs from their reported one, he or she may encounter improper school placement and perhaps an inability to verify their identity. According to one adoptive parent, the problem seems particularly notable for children born in Russia or China.
Stock options in the divorce settlement
The disbursement of community property at the end of a marriage can be complex. Stock options can be an important part of a divorce settlement. This type of option allows an employee to purchase company stock at a specific price for up to 10 years after a preset waiting period. The stock can then be sold at market value, which may exceed the original purchase price and result in significant net gain.
Custody agreements are enforceable internationally
Divorced people in Texas who are involved in child custody disputes with their former spouses may be aware that child custody agreements are enforceable across state lines. They may not be aware that child custody orders are enforceable internationally. A woman discovered this when she took her children from California to Europe. Her children were reunited with their respective fathers after having been separated from them for 18 months.
