Posted on February 09, 2026 in Divorce

It’s not a good feeling when you start to wonder if your marriage is broken beyond repair. Divorce rates are declining slightly as of 2026, but they remain around 30 percent for first marriages. Work stress, money problems, and daily demands can create distance between you and your spouse. Marriage counseling offers a solution for some of these stresses, but many people wonder if it will actually work.

If you are deciding whether or not your marriage is salvageable, a Bexar County family law attorney can help you understand what your options look like.

Does Marriage Counseling Actually Work?

Research shows marriage counseling can make a real difference. Despite some negative stereotypes, statistics tell a positive story.

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 Posted on January 24, 2026 in Divorce

Spouses spying on their partners before and during their divorce is fairly common. According to recent research by Norton Labs, nearly one in 10 adults has used an app to monitor a current or former romantic partner's device activity. For some people, this is shocking and surprising. For others, it seems like common sense ("What, you don’t?").

If you are divorcing a spouse you think is spying on you in 2026 – or if you are considering spying on your own spouse – it’s important to know how spying can affect divorce proceedings. Our San Antonio divorce lawyer can help you understand what is legal and how it affects your situation.

Why Do People Spy on Their Spouses During Divorce?

When a marriage is falling apart, many people want proof of any suspicions they have about their spouse. People who suspect an affair want concrete evidence for court (and for their own closure). Some worry their spouse is hiding money or assets. Parents sometimes spy because they fear for their children's safety. If someone has an abusive partner, they may hide recording equipment in the house to document the abuse.

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 Posted on January 12, 2026 in Family Law

Blending families after marriage can be joyful. It also raises important legal questions. If you are married to someone who has children from a previous relationship that you love, it’s very normal to want to adopt them. This can strengthen your family bonds and give you full legal parental rights and responsibilities.

Texas law recognizes stepparent adoption as a special type of adoption with its own rules and procedures. Understanding how this process works in 2026 can help you decide if it is right for your family. If you are considering adoption, our San Antonio stepparent adoption attorneys can guide you through each step.

What is Stepparent Adoption?

Stepparent adoption is when your spouse's child becomes your child legally, too. After the adoption is complete, you have the same rights and responsibilities as if the child were born to you. The child can inherit from you, and you can make decisions about their education and healthcare. This legal relationship continues even if you and your spouse later divorce.

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 Posted on December 23, 2025 in Divorce

You've probably heard that Texas is a community property state and assumed that means your spouse automatically gets half of everything if you get divorced. That’s not necessarily the case. While Texas follows community property rules, the law doesn't mandate a perfect 50/50 split in every divorce.

Courts aim for what's "just and right," which means they consider your specific circumstances, not just a calculator. Understanding how judges actually divide assets can save you from panic and help you make smarter decisions from day one. Our San Antonio divorce lawyers can walk you through what to expect based on your unique situation.

What Is Community Property Versus Separate Property in Texas?

Under Texas Family Code § 3.002, community property usually includes assets earned or bought during the marriage. This can include income, retirement savings, homes, and vehicles acquired while married. Separate property is treated differently. It often includes property you owned before marriage or received as a gift or inheritance. Separate property is not divided in a divorce.

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 Posted on December 07, 2025 in Family Law

When a family decides to adopt, one of the first choices they must make is how much contact there will be between the biological and adoptive families. In Texas, adoptions are generally either open or closed. Each type affects the child, adoptive parents, and biological parents in different ways.

Choosing the right kind of adoption depends on what feels comfortable for everyone involved. It may seem confusing, but our experienced Bexar County, TX adoption lawyers can explain the legal steps and help you understand which option best suits your needs.

How Does an Open Adoption Work in Texas?

An open adoption allows the biological and adoptive families to stay in contact after the adoption is complete. This can include sharing letters, photos, or phone calls. In some cases, families may even agree to meet in person. The amount of contact depends on what both sides feel is best.

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 Posted on November 23, 2025 in Divorce

Divorce is not a one-size-fits-all process. In Texas, there are two main types, contested and uncontested. Knowing which one best suits your situation can help you plan ahead and make better decisions. Whether you and your spouse agree on all the details or still have conflicts to work through, our San Antonio, TX divorce lawyers can help guide you through every step and protect your rights.

What Makes a Divorce Contested or Uncontested?

An uncontested divorce happens when you and your spouse agree on every important issue. This includes asset and debt division, as well as custody or child support if you have children. Texas is a "no-fault" divorce state under Texas Family Code §6.001. The law allows you to end your marriage without blaming either spouse on the basis that the marriage has become "insupportable."

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 Posted on November 07, 2025 in Divorce

Many people who make spousal maintenance (alimony) payments after divorce wonder when those payments can legally end and whether there are ways to change or end them sooner. Chapter 8 of the Texas Family Code sets the rules about when spousal maintenance can be ordered, how long it lasts, and when it can stop.

If you are making alimony payments and think you have a good reason to ask a court to change or end these payments, call our San Antonio family lawyers today. 

What Is Spousal Maintenance Under Texas Law?

Spousal maintenance refers to money one ex-spouse pays the other after a divorce to help meet basic needs. The court can order maintenance only in specific situations, such as when:

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 Posted on October 24, 2025 in Divorce

How parents handle divorce makes all the difference in how their children experience it. When a divorce becomes a courtroom battle, children usually feel confused, stressed, and anxious about divided loyalties. Mediation, on the other hand, offers families a calmer path forward. In Texas, courts actively encourage mediation for precisely this reason.

As of October 2025, Texas Family Code Chapter 153 puts the "best interests of the child" above all else. Every decision and fact in a custody case is interpreted through that standard. Mediation is one of the best ways to protect your child’s best interests. It not only reduces conflict, but also protects children from many of the emotional and practical harms of litigation.

If you are getting divorced and want to make it as easy as possible for your kids, talk to our Bexar County divorce attorneys.

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 Posted on October 08, 2025 in Divorce

When couples marry, their finances often merge. Sometimes this is intentional; other times it happens gradually and without much thought. But when the marriage ends, those blurred financial lines can create serious conflict over who owns what.

If you and your spouse have commingled marital and separate assets, you might wonder whether those assets can be untangled during the asset division process. The answer depends on how and when the funds were mixed and whether you can trace where the money came from. A Bexar County divorce attorney can help you find, document, and argue for the proper classification of your property.

Understanding Commingled Community Property in Texas

Texas is a community property state, meaning that most property a couple gets during the marriage is owned by both spouses. However, property from before the marriage, as well as gifts and inheritances, are generally separate property under Texas Family Code § 3.001.

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 Posted on September 24, 2025 in Child Custody

Child custody disputes are tough. When parents have different religious beliefs, custody issues get even tougher. Religion is personal, and disagreements about how a child should be raised can lead to serious conflict. In these cases, Texas courts balance parental rights with the guiding principle of protecting the best interests of the child.

If you are divorcing a spouse with different religious beliefs, understanding how religion affects a custody case can help you prepare for custody negotiations. At Brandon Wong & Associates, our Bexar County child custody lawyers can discuss this sensitive topic and help you get ready to divorce.

How Does Religion Affect Child Custody in Texas?

In Texas, custody (legally referred to as "conservatorship") is determined by what serves the best interests of the child. Parents generally share the right to make decisions about education, healthcare, and religious upbringing. When disagreements come up, the court must weigh each parent’s rights against the needs of the child.

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