Kirker Davis LLP

People often wait to talk to a family law attorney because they feel they should have everything sorted out first.

They think they need the full financial picture, a firm decision, or the right words before they pick up the phone.

You do not need that to start a conversation.

A first meeting is a chance to ask questions, understand your options, and get a clearer sense of what the road ahead might look like.

There is no obligation to make a decision or take a single step you are not ready for.

Whether you are certain about your next move or simply trying to understand your choices, getting good information early can bring a real sense of relief.

Taking that first step can make everything ahead feel more manageable.

When you are ready, we are here to listen.

Contact us today: https://bit.ly/4qILfCN

When couples think about dividing property in a divorce, they usually picture the house, the accounts, and the savings they can see today.

Compensation that has been earned but not yet paid is easy to overlook, and it can be substantial.

Unvested stock options, restricted stock units, deferred compensation, and bonuses tied to work already performed can all be part of the conversation.

Whether they count as community property often depends on when they were earned and the terms attached to them.

For executives and business owners, this can represent a meaningful share of the marital estate.

Getting it right takes a close look at grant dates, vesting schedules, and the fine print.

If part of your compensation is still on the horizon, it deserves the same attention as the assets already in hand.

Learn more about our approach to high-net-worth divorce: https://bit.ly/4xm9glg

When a family splits time between two households, co-parents should continue the little rituals that make holidays and weekends feel special.

The good news is that most traditions can travel.

The heart of a tradition is usually the feeling behind it, not the address where it happens.

A favorite recipe, a bedtime story, a Sunday morning routine, or a simple gratitude practice can all move with your child from one home to the other.

When both parents keep a few of these rituals alive, children carry a sense of home wherever they are. It reassures them that the things they love are not tied to one place or one parent.

As you head into the busier months, it is worth thinking about which small traditions matter most to your kids, and how to keep them steady in both homes.

In September, the holidays feel far away, which is exactly why now is the right time to start planning them.

Co-parents who sort out the details early tend to have a calmer, more predictable season.

A little preparation goes a long way. Before the calendar fills up, it helps to:

▪️Review your custody order for holiday and travel provisions, and confirm exact dates and exchange times.
▪️Handle any required travel notifications early.
▪️Check that passports and other documents are current if travel is part of the plan.
▪️Put every agreed change in writing through your court-approved app or email.

Sorting this out while there is still time, rather than in the rush of December, gives everyone room to breathe and lets your children simply enjoy the season.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4w8hH2A

Texas has some of the most restrictive spousal maintenance laws in the country.

Qualifying for court-ordered support can be challenging, and even when it is awarded, the amount and duration are capped.

For higher-asset couples, that reality shapes how a fair settlement gets built.

When ongoing maintenance is not on the table, the focus often shifts to how property is divided.

A thoughtful division of assets can create a stable, tax-aware income stream that supports a spouse's future without relying on a maintenance order.

Retirement accounts, investment portfolios, and income-producing property can all play a role.

In Texas, protecting your financial future after divorce depends less on alimony and more on how carefully the property settlement is structured.

Contact us to learn more: https://bit.ly/4xJzXB3

The end of the year brings a wave of financial decisions: bonuses, stock that vests, gifting, large purchases, and year-end tax planning.

For anyone thinking about divorce, the timing of those moves can matter more than people expect.

Some decisions are worth pausing until you have a clear strategy in place.

Others may be better handled before a case begins.

A large asset purchase, a change in how accounts are titled, or a significant financial gift can all look very different once a divorce is underway.

This is not about hiding anything. It is about understanding how ordinary financial choices interact with the process, so you are not caught off guard later.

Before you make any major year-end money moves, it is worth a conversation about how they fit into the bigger picture.

Learn more about our approach to high-net-worth divorce: https://bit.ly/4xm9glg

Most parenting plans cover the big items: the schedule, holidays, and where the children live.

One useful provision often gets left out: the right of first refusal.

In plain terms, a right of first refusal means that when one parent cannot care for the children during their scheduled time, the other parent gets the first chance to step in before a babysitter or relative is called.

For it to work smoothly, the details need to be clear:

▪️How long a parent must be away before the clause applies.
▪️How and when the other parent should be notified.
▪️What happens if the other parent is not available.

Written down clearly, this kind of provision gives children more time with each parent and gives both parents fewer reasons to argue.

As kids grow and schedules shift, it is worth revisiting to make sure it still fits.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4w8hH2A

When a business is part of a divorce, the first instinct is often to look at the books.

Revenue, assets, and liabilities matter, but they rarely tell the whole story of what a company is worth.

Much of a business's value can live in things that never show up cleanly on a balance sheet.

Goodwill, the strength of client relationships, deferred compensation, and future earning potential can all carry real weight.

Sorting out how much of that value is personal to the owner versus tied to the business itself is a detailed exercise, and it can change the outcome.

This is where experienced counsel and the right financial experts earn their keep.

If your divorce involves a company you have built, the valuation deserves careful, well-supported work.

Learn more about divorces involving businesses: https://bit.ly/4wz7wF8