Divorce Mistake #9: Signing documents without asking questions.  Many people are intimidated by the legal system and, instead of asking questions, accept everything on blind faith.  Be thoughtful, skeptical and analytical; ask your attorney for an honest evaluation of your chances to obtain assets, your home and your finances.   Divorce Mistake #10: Being a hindrance to your own case.  Your goal should be to do everything in your power to assist your case and support your attorney.  If you pester him, calling repeatedly with trivial questions, you are going to alienate the key person looking out for your interests.  Ask your...

Divorce Mistake #6: Withholding information from your attorney.  Remember your lawyer represents you, and you should trust him or her.  Don’t withhold information about finances, your actions during the marriage or future plans.  If you want your attorney to be effective,  she needs to know the truth.   Divorce Mistake #7: Allowing your emotions to rule legal decisions.  Divorce is a frazzling and distraught time; you may feel victimized, or that you are in the right 100% of the time.  Letting your emotions, rather than logic and reason, be in control, will undermine your case.  Be reflective – not reactive.  Anxious people...

Divorce Mistake #3: Taking legal advice from family and/or friends. They can be your emotional rocks to lean on, but don’t even begin to think they are a substitute for an attorney.  The ONLY person who can – and should – tell you what is in your best interest during the dissolution of your marriage is your lawyer!   Divorce Mistake #4: Forcing the kids to take sides.  It is a painful time – you are angry and just want to hurt your spouse, but never, ever use your kids as pawns in the process.  The best thing you can do for...

As a firm that practices Family Law, a large number of our cases involve divorce and it is no wonder - the common statistic is that 50% of all marriages end in divorce. Tessmer Law Firm brings you 20 Divorce Mistakes.  Bookmark our Facebook page so you don’t miss any!   Divorce Mistake #1:  Believing your spouse will be fair and amicable.  Most people facing divorce are emotionally vulnerable and upset; some are in a state of denial.  You may think your spouse will treat you well throughout the process, but chances are things will become antagonistic.  Look out for yourself and...

Biker 101: We have all heard the roar of a group of bikes arriving….. Are those loud pipes legal? Technically, no, but the law is rather vague.  Texas Transportation Code 547.604 states that “A motor vehicle shall be equipped with a muffler in good working condition that continually operates to prevent excessive or unusual noise.”  “Excessive or unusual” is left up to debate.  You probably won’t be stopped and ticketed unless you are being really obnoxious about it!   Biker 101: Are you safer riding in town or out on the open highway? The usual thought is that slower is safer, but...

Biker 101: Remember those hand signals you learned for bicycle riding? Extending or flexing your arm is an effective way to raise your visual profile in addition to using your turn signals. Just be sure you're able to effectively control your bike while doing so, and never take your hands off the handlebars when the turn is underway.   Biker 101: When riding as a group, a staggered riding formation allows a proper space cushion between bikes so each rider has enough time and space to maneuver and react to hazards. The leader rides in the left third of the lane, while...