DeFord Law Firm Articles
Texas Legal Articles & Insights
Explore clear guidance on family law, estate planning, probate, and high-net-worth legal matters in Texas.
Recent | Family Law | Estate Planning | Probate | High-Net-Worth
Recent Articles
Start with the newest legal guidance from DeFord Law Firm.
What Happens to Your Estate Plan After a Divorce in Texas?
Review what divorce changes and what still needs to be updated.
5 Common Custody Mistakes Texas Parents Make
Understand common custody errors that create avoidable conflict.
Relocating After Divorce
What parents should know before moving after divorce.
5 Common Custody Mistakes Texas Parents Make (And How to Avoid Them)
Table of Contents Common Custody Mistakes in Texas Speaking Negatively About the Other Parent Failing to Document Problems Ignoring Missed Visitation Communication & Legal Delays FAQs Conclusion 5 Common Custody Mistakes Texas Parents Make (And How to Avoid Them)...
Relocating After Divorce: What Parents Must Know
Here is your **updated WordPress HTML with internal links injected naturally** (matching your other posts’ style and placement — contextual, non-spammy, SEO + UX aligned): --- Table of Contents Relocating After Divorce With Children The Hidden Timing Problem What...
Do You Need a New Will After Moving to Texas? Myth vs. Reality
Table of Contents You Moved, But Did Your Estate Plan Come With You? The Myth: If Your Will Is Valid, You’re Covered How Texas Law Can Change the Way Your Plan Works What Can Happen If You Do Not Update Your Will A Practical Framework After Moving to Texas FAQs...
Family Law Articles
Divorce, custody, child support, relocation, mediation, and parenting guidance for Texas families.
5 Common Custody Mistakes Texas Parents Make
Practical custody guidance for Texas parents.
The Real Cost of a Texas Divorce
Compare mediation, litigation, and strategic cost factors.
How Business Owners Lose Control of Their Company in Divorce
Table of Contents When Divorce Threatens More Than the Marriage Valuation Is a Power Shift Why Valuation Is Not Neutral The Real Cost of Getting It Wrong A Framework to Protect Control FAQs Conclusion How Business Owners Lose Control of Their Company in Divorce For...
Myth vs. Reality: Does Divorce Change Your Estate Plan?
Myth vs. Reality: Does Divorce Change Your Estate Plan? Divorce brings obvious changes—finances, parenting, and daily life. But one area many people overlook is their estate plan. Many assume their ex is automatically removed from everything. That sounds logical—but...
The Real Cost of a Texas Divorce: What to Expect
Table of Contents The Real Cost of a Texas Divorce What Drives the Cost of a Texas Divorce? The Cost of Mediation in Texas The Cost of Going to Trial Hidden and Emotional Costs Why Mediation Is Worth Taking Seriously Domestic Violence Situations Taking the First Step...
Estate Planning Articles
Wills, trusts, guardianship, beneficiary updates, and planning after major life changes.
What Happens to Your Estate Plan After a Divorce?
What divorce does not automatically fix in your estate plan.
Do You Need a New Will After Moving to Texas?
Why an out-of-state will may still need review.
Five Estate Planning Myths
Common misconceptions that leave Texas families exposed.
Explore Estate Planning Services →
LGBTQ+ Couples: 10 Valentine’s Estate Planning Must-Dos
LGBTQ+ Couples: 10 Valentine’s Estate Planning Must-Dos For many married LGBTQ+ couples, the decision to have kids is filled with excitement — and a quiet sense of unease no one really talks about. You’ve done the “right” things. You’re legally married. You’re...
LGBTQ+ Parenting: Secure Legal Rights Before Crisis
Most LGBTQ+ parents don’t worry about whether they are a family. They worry about whether the law will recognize them as one when it matters most. That fear usually stays quiet—until something happens. A medical emergency. A car accident. A sudden hospitalization. In...
Why a Godparent Isn’t a Legal Guardian for Your Child
 When “I Picked a Godparent” Feels Responsible — but Isn’t Enough If you’re a single parent — especially a single mom raising kids without family nearby — you’ve probably had this thought at least once: “If something happens to me, their godparent will take care of...
Probate Articles
Resources for families, executors, and beneficiaries navigating probate after a death.
What to Do After a Spouse Dies
Clear next steps after sudden loss and probate uncertainty.
Understanding the Texas Probate Process
A starting point for families trying to understand probate.
Will Contests in Texas
What families should understand when an estate dispute begins.
Understanding Probate and Real Estate in Texas: What You Need to Know About Property Transfer After Death
When someone dies in Texas while owning real estate, their property doesn't simply pass to their loved ones automatically. Many Texans operate under the misconception that jointly owned homes transfer seamlessly to surviving spouses or that inherited property can be...
Understanding Will Contests in Texas: Your Complete Guide to Challenging and Protecting Wills
Who Can Challenge a Will in Texas? When a loved one passes away, emotions run high, and sometimes family members feel surprised or hurt by the contents of a will. If you've been left out of a will or specifically disinherited, you might wonder whether you have any...
Navigating Probate After the Death of a Loved One in Texas
When someone you care about passes away, the emotional toll is heavy. Along with grieving and supporting other family members, you're often left with the added burden of legal and financial responsibilities. One of the first and most important legal steps that may...
High-Net-Worth & Complex Matters
Complex estates, business ownership, significant assets, fiduciary risk, trusts, and high-value family matters.
How Business Owners Lose Control of Their Company in Divorce
Why valuation and settlement structure matter in complex divorce.
What Happens to Your Estate Plan After a Divorce?
A crossover issue involving beneficiaries, control, and asset protection.
Blended Families and Trusts
Planning for inheritance, remarriage, and family complexity.
Explore High-Net-Worth Services→
Business Owners and Child Support: How Texas Courts Calculate Income When You’re Self-Employed
Texas courts calculate child support for business owners by examining multiple years of business records, adding back personal expenses disguised as business costs, and using income smoothing to determine actual earning capacity rather than relying solely on reported...
How to Navigate Business Division in Divorce: Essential Insights for Business Owners
Going through a divorce can be challenging for many individuals, but when a business is involved, it adds an additional layer of complexity. As a business owner, you face unique challenges in dividing your assets, protecting your interests, and ensuring that the...
Understanding Business Valuation in Divorce: A Guide for Business Owners
Divorce is a stressful process for many, but it becomes especially complex for business owners. When a business is involved, one of the key components of the divorce settlement is determining its value. The way your business is treated during a divorce can have...