Texas Family Law Insiders

Uncover the powerful journey of an attorney who navigated through the perils of burnout to rediscover her passion for law and life…

Today's episode features Cynthia Rendon, owner of Rendon Law Firm, PLLC, and author of “Judge Me Not: An Attorney’s Journey of Healing from Burnout.” Cynthia shares how she transformed her practice as a lawyer to overcome burnout–and how other lawyers can do the same.

She’ll cover:

• The pivotal moment that propelled her to confront burnout head-on and seek a healthier, more balanced approach to her career and life.
• Practical and effective strategies that can help any attorney avoid the brink of burnout and thrive both professionally and personally.
• The importance of setting firm boundaries and the revolutionary impact of time-blocking on productivity and mental health.
• And more.

In this episode of The Texas Family Law Insiders podcast, we delve deep into the world of interstate child custody litigation with Mary Neal, a seasoned family law attorney at Albin Oldner Law in Frisco, Texas. With a personal connection to the challenges of family law, Mary offers invaluable perspectives on navigating the legal complexities that come with child custody cases.

We’ll cover:

• A comprehensive overview of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Enforcement Act and its critical role in ensuring fair and efficient custody proceedings across state lines
• The challenges and solutions for handling custody cases that span different states
• Insights into how temporary emergency jurisdiction can protect children in immediate danger and the legal framework surrounding it
• Common mistakes attorneys make regarding the UCCJEA and advice on how to avoid them
• And more

Dive into the transformative world of divorce coaching with Amy Tyson, a twice-divorced mother turned advocate, as she unveils her latest resources for families navigating the complex journey of divorce.

In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome Amy back to the Texas Family Law Insiders podcast. Since we last spoke, Amy has continued to evolve her mission to support divorcing families, now stepping into a new role as a certified divorce coach. With a background marked by personal experience and a deep passion for helping others, Amy has developed invaluable resources, including her book, One Princess, Two Castles, and her latest venture, a journal for children and teenagers to express their feelings during this challenging time.

• Discover Amy's journey from experiencing divorce firsthand to becoming a beacon of support for others.
• Explore Little Hearts, Big Feelings, Amy's new journal designed to help children and teenagers navigate their emotions through divorce.
• Learn about the unique role of a divorce coach and how Amy's services complement the work of family law attorneys, fostering a healthier transition for all involved.
• Uncover the distinct difference between divorce coaching and therapy, and how Amy's approach aims to guide individuals towards a brighter future post-divorce.

For more insights from Amy Tyson on turning hardship into hope and to discover how her coaching services can benefit you or someone you know going through a divorce, visit happinessintheheartache.com. Tune into this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or right here to embrace the journey towards healing and empowerment.

In this episode, we dive deep into the intersection of LGBTQ+ issues and family law, a realm where the legal landscapes are as diverse as the clients served.

My guest is Christine Andresen, founder of CHA Law in Austin, Texas, a firm that specializes in serving LGBTQ+ family law clients.

Christine will share what family lawyers need to know about LGBTQ+ issues in family law, drawing from her extensive experiences representing cases in this niche.

She’ll share key information about:

• Navigating the political climate in Texas
• Cases involving reproductive and adoption issues
• The potential legal challenges of same-sex divorce cases in Texas
• Best practices for representing transgender clients
• And more

In this solo episode, Holly delves into the pivotal case she currently has pending before the Texas Supreme Court, Stary v. Ethridge, that challenges the constitutionality of the Texas protective order statute.

Discover the nuances of Texas’ protective order statutes and the constitutional debate it ignites.

• Uncover the challenges and implications of the Stary v. Ethridge case as it ascends to the Texas Supreme Court.
• Examine the Texas protective order statute and its potential impact on parental rights.
• Learn about the constitutional debates surrounding the balance between victim protection and parental rights.
• Understand the potential precedents this case could set for future legal proceedings.

For a deeper understanding of the constitutional implications of protective orders on parental rights, tune into this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or hit play above.

In this episode, partners Holly Draper and Carrie Tapia discuss the complex issue of enforcing possession and access. Holly and Carrie bring their extensive expertise in family law to shed light on the often-challenging area of enforcing possession and access, offering valuable insights for both legal professionals and individuals navigating these issues.

• Unpack the critical elements of enforcing possession and access in family law cases.
• Learn the importance of specific and enforceable orders in successful contempt proceedings.
• Gain insights into defending against enforcement actions.
• Understand the procedural nuances from filing motions to handling court proceedings in enforcement cases.

For an in-depth understanding of the enforcement of possession and access in family law, and to benefit from Holly and Carrie’s expert guidance, listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or simply hit play above.

What is the impact of intensive reunification therapy in family law? Intensive reunification therapy is different than traditional reunification therapy, and it can potentially have many negative impacts on a family.

In this episode, author and psychologist Susan Fletcher shares her expertise on intensive reunification therapy, a subject of growing concern nationwide.

Susan will provide a detailed background of the therapy, its implications and ethical considerations, and the controversies surrounding it–and cover the often adverse psychological effects these programs have on children and parents.

Susan’s insights are an excellent resource for attorneys wondering how to approach family law cases involving intensive reunification therapy.

Struggling with the intricacies of attorneys' fees in family law?

In this episode, Jim Mueller, owner and managing partner at Verner Brumley Mueller Parker, PC, sheds light on the often-complex topic of attorneys' fees in family law cases and shares practical advice for family lawyers.

• Uncover the critical steps for securing attorneys' fees in family law.
• Explore the nuances of interim fees and their impact on divorce proceedings.
• Demystify the process of defending against a request for attorneys' fees.
• Discover key strategies for effectively proving up attorneys' fees in court.
• Gain insights into contractual attorney's fees and how to navigate them.

To hear the full episode with Jim Mueller and get valuable insights on attorneys' fees in family law, subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or click play on the player above.

What are the best practices for alcohol monitoring in family law cases?

My guest in this episode is Mike Fonseca, a national sales manager for Soberlink. He’s here to share his expertise on Soberlink and break down how this technology plays a role in family law.

He’ll cover:

• Comparing alcohol monitoring technology’s effectiveness
• How Soberlink helps clients with accountability
• What attorneys need to know about Soberlink
• Common questions about alcohol monitoring in family law
• And more

Where does post-C.J.C case law stand at the end of 2023?

In this episode, I give an update on post-C.J.C cases since my last episode on this topic.

Join me for an overview of each case and an analysis of how they could impact future parent vs. non-parent child custody cases.

I’ll also cover the fit parent presumption and where the Texas Supreme Court stands on C.J.C at the end of this year.