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Questions Answered by Kristina L. Combs
2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Texas on
Q: Do you have to have custody agreement if you are currently only separated?

My husband is having an affair, we are separated. We have a 19th month old daughter and son on the way. I am trying to see what we need to for custody until we can officially get divorced or figure things out

Kristina L. Combs
Kristina L. Combs
answered on Sep 5, 2023

Texas does not recognize what other states refer to as legal separation. It’s important to file for a divorce to get temporary orders regarding custody and assets/debt while you are separated pending a divorce. If things work out then you can always nonsuit the divorce. However, without court... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Adoption and Child Custody for Texas on
Q: Adopting my cousin, questions on what to do.

Long story short my cousin needs out of the situation she’s in. All of my family is either on drugs, alcoholics or men in and out of the house. She needs a safe secure space so she doesn’t end up like them. Everyone seems to be on board because they agree she needs a better life. How would I go... View More

Kristina L. Combs
Kristina L. Combs
answered on Sep 5, 2023

The child would need to live with you for 6 months in Texas before you can adopt her in Texas. The first step is to get her living with you. The parents would need to sign a power of attorney granting you guardianship over here in order for her to live with you and for you to be able to enroll her... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Texas on
Q: How do I adopt my sister's child ? What is the process in texas ?

My sister can't care for her newborn child so we took over and have been caring for him since his birth. We would like to adopt him, my sister is okay with it. We just need more info on how we can do this or what's the process.

Kristina L. Combs
Kristina L. Combs
answered on Feb 24, 2024

You can do a private adoption and she can voluntarily relinquish her parental rights. You should get an experienced adoption attorney. The adoption process can be complex and you don’t want to miss any steps.

2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce, Domestic Violence and Family Law for Texas on
Q: The other parent and I are married. We don’t have any custody order. The other parent keeps denying the child but…

took a dna test and it came back that the child is his. I haven’t had support at all since separating and now he’s asking for another test but, at this point I don’t want to deal with him. The non custodial parent denies to do anything regarding support or seeing the child. There’s abuse in... View More

Kristina L. Combs
Kristina L. Combs
answered on Feb 24, 2024

File for a divorce and get temporary orders while the divorce is pending. Temporary orders will address temporary child custody, visitation, child support, etc.

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Texas on
Q: My husband is planning to tank my credit.

My husband is leaving me, no divorce, just up and disappearing and has said he is going to ruin my credit. We have a mortgage and a car in both our names plus I have a car in just my name. I can not afford all three on my own plus other bills. I don’t even think I can afford the mortgage plus... View More

Kristina L. Combs
Kristina L. Combs
answered on Feb 24, 2024

File for a divorce. You can request temporary orders for spousal support and stating who pays the community debts while the divorce is pending.

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3 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Texas on
Q: Can the counter party in a child custody case request that I cannot use money from my parents to help pay for a lawyer?
Kristina L. Combs
Kristina L. Combs
answered on Sep 5, 2023

A party in a suit can request anything. It doesn’t mean they are going to get it. The source of financing your legal fees would only come into play in a few situations, such as you are requesting the other party pay your legal fees.

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3 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Texas on
Q: Recently filed for divorce but pregnant with partner's baby (not spouse's). Do I have to reveal pregnancy?

My partner and I are planning to get married at the courthouse before the baby is born in February. No cheating involved; my ex and I have been long-term separated/agreed to divorce so there is absolutely no question of paternity, we only delayed filing til recently because we were figuring out... View More

Kristina L. Combs
Kristina L. Combs
answered on Sep 5, 2023

In Texas, you must address any minor child that is born or expected while married in a divorce.

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