Before, during and after divorce, parents struggle the most with effective co-parenting with their spouse or ex-spouse. When going through a divorce in Texas, the most important thing a parent can do for their child is to continue to communicate with their ex-spouse and foster their child’s relationship with the other parent.

If custody is at issue, I tell my clients that the most important action a Judge can see is co-parenting. No matter what issues arose during the marriage or what precipitated the divorce, a parent must co-parent with their ex-spouse. Effective co-parenting consists of all types of actions. Examples include keeping the other parent apprised of the events in the child’s life, communicating regarding medical or psychological issues before, during and after medical treatment, nurturing a relationship with your child and ex-spouse.

Divorcemag.com has an excellent article that provides advice for effective co-parenting. This article gives numerous examples of issues that come about post-divorce or separation between parents and provides guidance on how to handle those issues.

Even if one parent refuses to communicate with the ex-spouse, a Judge will notice and appreciate the efforts made by the co-parenting/communicating parent. Those efforts will show a Judge how he/she can anticipate each parent will work with the other parent regarding all the types of situations that arise in a child’s life. Therefore, most of the orders issued by a Judge will stem from effective or ineffective co-parenting
 

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Photo of Michelle O'Neil Michelle O'Neil

Michelle May O’Neil has 30+ years’ experience representing small business owners, professionals, and individuals in litigation related to family law matters such as divorce, child custody, and complex property division. Described by one lawyer as “a lethal combination of sweet-and-salty”, Ms. O’Neil exudes…

Michelle May O’Neil has 30+ years’ experience representing small business owners, professionals, and individuals in litigation related to family law matters such as divorce, child custody, and complex property division. Described by one lawyer as “a lethal combination of sweet-and-salty”, Ms. O’Neil exudes genuine compassion for her client’s difficulties, yet she can be relentless when in pursuit of a client’s goals. One judge said of Ms. O’Neil, “She cannot be out-gunned, out-briefed, or out-lawyered!”

Family Law Specialist

Ms. O’Neil became a board-certified family law specialist by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in 1997 and has maintained her certification since that time. While representing clients in litigation before the trial court is an important part of her practice, Ms. O’Neil also handles appellate matters in the trial court, courts of appeals and Texas Supreme Court. Lawyers frequently consult with Ms. O’Neil on their litigation cases about specialized legal issues requiring particularized attention both at the trial court and appellate levels. This gives her a unique perspective and depth of perception that benefits both her litigation and appellate clients.

Top Lawyers in Texas and America

Ms. O’Neil has been named to the list of Texas SuperLawyers for many years, a peer-voted honor given to only about 5% of the lawyers in the state of Texas. Ms. O’Neil received the special honor of being named by Texas SuperLawyers as one of the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Texas, Top 100 Lawyers in Texas, and Top 100 Lawyers in DFW for multiple years. She was named one of the Best Lawyers in America and received an “A-V” peer review rating by Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directories for the highest quality legal ability and ethical standards.

Author and Speaker

A noted author, Ms. O’Neil released her second book Basics of Texas Divorce Law in November 2010, with a second edition released in 2013, and a third edition expected in 2015.  Her first book, All About Texas Law and Kids, was published in September 2009 by Texas Lawyer Press. In 2012, Ms. O’Neil co-authored the booklets What You Need To Know About Common Law Marriage In Texas and Social Study Evaluations.  The State Bar of Texas and other providers of continuing education for attorneys frequently enlist Ms. O’Neil to provide instruction to attorneys on topics of her expertise in the family law arena.