Are you a firefighter facing divorce? If it’s your first time navigating this process, you likely have numerous questions seeking answers. Undoubtedly, divorce can be an overwhelming experience, as the prospect of significant life changes looms ahead. While your experiences as a firefighter may equip you for many challenges in life, facing divorce is uncharted territory. It’s natural to feel susceptible to the shock and surprise that accompanies such a situation. However, it’s essential to mitigate these surprises, particularly when dealing with critical matters like divorce and child custody.
One of the unique aspects of a divorce, at least from the standpoint of a suitcase, is it a divorce touches on so many different areas of your life. Your finances, your future, your present, your children, and the list goes on and on. Divorce affects every aspect of your life. It presents a unique situation where some aspects may improve while others suffer. Being able to find a balance where you can improve your life as much as possible considering the circumstances is where you want to be at the end of the day.
Finding trustworthy info for firefighter facing divorce in Texas
The challenge lies in finding reliable information for a divorce case. While the internet offers abundant resources on Texas divorces through blog posts and news articles, determining the trustworthiness of these sources can be daunting. So, what sets this blog post apart? How can it provide specific assistance amidst the sea of divorce information available online?
The difference between this blog post and almost anything else you’ll find on the Internet regarding a firefighter facing divorce is that we combine extensive knowledge of divorce in Texas with the humility that comes with understanding your divorce is unique to you and your family. Therefore, certain limitations come with looking at any blog post. I am going to work hard to make sure that this blog post is informative and entertaining. However, I will fully acknowledge that without knowing your specific circumstances I cannot tell you exactly what to expect in your divorce. If you want to know specific information about the divorce process where can you turn?
If you want to get specific information about your specific process in divorce, then I recommend you contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan. We have attorneys who can sit down with you at no cost and walk through a divorce period from there, we can provide you with information that may be important to you and your family as you walk through a divorce case. Rather than wondering and worrying about how a divorce may impact your family, I recommend contacting our office today.
Addressing firefighter divorce challenges
The best time to learn about divorce was yesterday. The second-best time to learn about a divorce is today. Do not lose sight of the important aspects of your case and what you can do to ensure that you are successful. There are challenges that firefighters generally face in divorce cases but there will also be challenges that your family specifically faces given your circumstances. To pursue a divorce case with as much peace of Mind as possible why not reach out to our attorneys today?
If you’re concerned about meeting an attorney due to busy work and family schedules, here’s some good news: The Law Office of Bryan Fagan offers two convenient office locations in the Houston area for in-person consultations. Meeting face-to-face with an attorney is optimal, akin to getting to know someone on a first date. While video chats are helpful, meeting in person provides distinct advantages.
Our office has locations both in Humble as well as off FM 1960 in the Champions area. Whatever your specific circumstances are we have an attorney and a game plan that can suit you and your needs. Do not spend all day and all night worrying about the course of your divorce. Rather, take this opportunity to be proactive and intentional when it comes to problem-solving. Nobody ever solved a major issue by worrying. It is only by addressing challenges head-on that your family can work your way through difficult situations like a divorce. With that said, let’s learn some new information about how you as a firefighter facing divorce have specific challenges that you may encounter as the result of a family law case.
Fighting fires for a living carries with it a great deal of responsibility
Consider for a moment what you wanted to be when you were a child. If you are like many children, you may have dreamed of becoming a firefighter as a kid. Imagining yourself wearing the uniform, and hat, and driving the fire truck would not be uncommon. Now that you are an adult you have been able to live out that dream of making your reality. However, with the realization of one dream comes the realization of the consequences of being a firefighter. Most notably, firefighting is tough, physical, and hard work.
It may be the case that an attack in stressful working with being a firefighter has impacted your marriage. If that’s the case, then you may be wondering if I voted for divorce and whether it is right for you. Hopefully, you have a support system where you can walk alongside other people and learn about divorce and what it may mean to your family. If you don’t, please allow this blog post to function as a way for you to begin to grow in your knowledge of divorce. The last thing you want to do is enter into a divorce with little to no specific knowledge of the process.
Firefighter facing divorce: balancing parenting and work schedules
One of the major concerns of a firefighter facing divorce is their ability to be parents to their children after the case has come to an end. It is no secret that firefighters work a typical hour compared to the rest of the public. It is not common for the open public to work shifts that can last up to two days. However, that is the norm for many firefighters.
As a result, with all that time spent at work, you may suffer from not being able to spend as much time at home with your children. That lack of time at home may have been a direct cause of the divorce that you are facing currently. However, the big concern that you may have right now is whether or not a typical work schedule will prevent you from being able to share joint custody of your children with your Co-parent.
In a Texas divorce case, we standard possession order there’s a typical way for a judge to divide up time between parents like you and your spouse. In a standard possession order, the parent who has visitation rights to the children will be able to spend time with the kids on the first, 3rd, and 5th weekends of each month during the school year. More extended time for that parent during the summer in alternating holidays with the primary conservator is also typical. While this works for many families it likely would not work for yours. This is because you quite often work on the weekends due to your responsibilities as a firefighter. When does a standard possession order not work well for you and your family what options do you have?
Negotiating child custody: strategies for firefighter parents facing divorce
The first option that you should avail yourself of if possible is to create the schedule with your Co-parent in mediation or other informal negotiation sessions. While it can be a challenge to negotiate on a subject like this the reality of the situation is that your best bet is to work with your Co-parent on creating a schedule that works best for you all. This is opposed to leaving it up to a family court judge who, while well-meaning, likely will not be able to create as accommodating a schedule as the two of you would.
This leads me to my second point. You need to be willing to think outside the box and be creative with your word custody schedule if you want to be able to regularly be able to visit with your children. Another reality of the situation is that your Co-parent needs to be willing to work with you on this. If he or she is unwilling to work with you on parenting and creating a hospitable visitation schedule considering her circumstances, then the co-parenting relationship is likely to suffer. Be patient with your Co-parent and work with him or her to see the situation from your point of view. If you do that, you can be off to a good start when it comes to negotiating this subject.
One hidden parenting tip I often suggest is living close to your co-parent. If you’re not expected to be named as the primary conservator after divorce, and you can’t be there for your children daily, your co-parent may be better suited for that role. It’s not a judgment of your parenting skills, but a recognition that your children’s best interests may be served by your co-parent being the primary caregiver.
Co-parenting tip: living close to your ex for smooth transitions
With that said, to make the transition into co-parenting as simple as possible I would recommend living as close as tolerable to your ex-spouse. Cutting down on the travel time for you and your Co-parent is a huge part of this equation. For example, the last time that needs to be spent traveling with their kids from one house to the other can be time spent doing quality activities and catching up with them after a long week at work. If you choose to spend more time in the car then that will complicate matters for your child and make these transitionary periods difficult. Rather than spend your time in the car I would choose to spend my time engaging with your child in a constructive atmosphere in your home.
Work with your Co-parent to get a feel for what their plan is after the divorce. Does he or she plan on moving? Is there a plan to remain in the family home for an extended period? If you can answer these questions, then you will be off to a good start. Do not negotiate for child custody or visitation without first examining these issues in greater detail. When we live in an area like we do where time commitment to travel can be significant you do not want to leave anything to chance. By cutting down on travel time you can increase the options before you when it comes to splitting visitation time with a Co-parent.
What about your pension as a firefighter?
Consideration must also be given to pension issues. While your pension may not have been a focus, especially if you’re young, it holds significance in your divorce proceedings. As both you and your spouse rely on it for peace of mind post-firefighting, it becomes a negotiation point in the case. To mitigate its impact on the divorce, what steps can you take to ensure it’s not a major contention?
Your spouse likely has a claim to a portion of your pension, as it’s accumulated during your marriage. In Texas, a community property state, the law doesn’t distinguish between your rights and your spouse’s rights to the pension. Instead, it’s considered both of your collective entitlement, even if it’s solely in your name. While it’s natural to want to retain control over your pension post-divorce, various factors need consideration in its division.
For instance, how many years of your career were aligned with being married? the more years you were married likely means the more time, but your pension was grown under Community property principles. For that reason, you need to consider just how much of your pension may be Community property and thus divisible in the divorce. Another factor is the length of your marriage period the longer you and your spouse have been married likely the more of your pension that your spouse may be entitled to keep after the divorce.
Other factors like the amount of debt that you and your spouse both have, your incomes and your career paths will likely shape this issue further. When it comes to determining important circumstances like this you need to give specific information to an attorney who has been there and done that for many firefighters, first responders, and public service employees like yourself.
Conclusion
For firefighters facing divorce, the journey ahead may seem daunting, especially if it’s their first encounter with such circumstances. With numerous questions arising and the prospect of significant life changes looming, the experience can be overwhelming. While the training and resilience gained from firefighting may prepare individuals for many challenges, divorce presents unique emotional and logistical hurdles. However, by seeking guidance, being proactive, and understanding their rights and options, firefighters can navigate the divorce process with greater confidence and clarity. It’s crucial to recognize that while surprises may be acceptable on birthdays, they have no place in divorce or child custody proceedings, emphasizing the importance of preparation and informed decision-making in such situations.
Questions about the material contained in today’s blog post? Contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan
If you have any questions about the material contained in today’s blog post please do not hesitate to contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan. Our licensed family law attorneys offer free-of-charge consultations six days a week in person, over the phone, and via video. To learn more about firefighter divorces in Texas go ahead and check out our blog for more information that may be helpful to you and your family.
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Other Articles you may be interested in:
- Why do so many firefighters get divorced?
- Visitation Schedules for Firefighters in Texas
- Divorce Considerations as a Firefighter
- I Want a Texas Divorce, but My Husband Doesn’t: What can I do?
- Am I Married? – Marital Status in Texas
- Can I sue my spouse’s mistress in Texas?
- 6 Tips – On How to Prepare for a Texas Divorce
- Roadmap of Basic Divorce Procedure in Texas
- Child Custody Basics in Texas
- 6 Mistakes that Can Destroy Your Texas Divorce Case
- 10 Quick Tips About Parental Visitation
- Does it Matter who Files First in a Texas Divorce?
- Firefighter visitation schedules for those who work 24-hour shifts
- Splitting a firefighter pension during a divorce
Bryan Fagan, a native of Atascocita, Texas, is a dedicated family law attorney inspired by John Grisham’s “The Pelican Brief.” He is the first lawyer in his family, which includes two adopted brothers. Bryan’s commitment to family is personal and professional; he cared for his grandmother with Alzheimer’s while completing his degree and attended the South Texas College of Law at night.
Married with three children, Bryan’s personal experiences enrich his understanding of family dynamics, which is central to his legal practice. He specializes in family law, offering innovative and efficient legal services. A certified member of the College of the State Bar of Texas, Bryan is part of an elite group of legal professionals committed to ongoing education and high-level expertise.
His legal practice covers divorce, custody disputes, property disputes, adoption, paternity, and mediation. Bryan is also experienced in drafting marital property agreements. He leads a team dedicated to complex family law cases and protecting families from false CPS allegations.
Based in Houston, Bryan is active in the Houston Family Law Sector of the Houston Bar Association and various family law groups in Texas. His deep understanding of family values and his professional dedication make him a compassionate advocate for families navigating Texas family law.
