Ye’s (formerly Kanye West) “All of the Lights” details many pitfalls of the rich and famous, but as a family law attorney, I notice that many of the family-related struggles discussed in the song’s second verse are experienced by my clients of all socioeconomic backgrounds. Let’s shed some light on them.
Restraining order, can’t see my daughter
We frequently receive calls from parents who have just been served with a temporary restraining order that they are completely blindsided by. Fear, uncertainty, and anger are the natural emotions felt in response to this scenario, but it is important to remain calm and speak with an attorney right away. In Texas, an ex-parte restraining order (a restraining order issued without notice to the other party) is only valid for 14 days. There will be a hearing to determine whether the restraining order should be extended beyond 14 days, and you will get the opportunity to tell your side of the story at that hearing.
Her mother, brother, grandmother hate me in that order
Family law cases are often tense and third-party family members can play significant roles in the case. Let your attorney know if you have any questions about the involvement of third-party family members in your family law case.
Public visitation, we met at Borders
In cases where family violence or other dangerous circumstances have been alleged, possible solutions to allow the accused parent to safely exercise visitation with their children can include supervised visits, where a trusted third party observes the parent around the child, and public visitation, with the idea being that harmful incidents are less likely to occur in very public places.
Told her she take me back, I’ll be more supportive
Can my spouse take me back even after filing for divorce against me? Yes, and this is called reconciliation. It is probably more common than you’d think that couples will reconcile after a divorce has been filed. If you and your spouse want to reconcile, you need to speak with your attorney about the next steps involved.
I made mistakes, I bumped my head
Nobody is perfect. It is up to you to decide which behaviors are forgivable and which behaviors mean divorce is necessary, but counseling is always recommended as a first step if you are unsure whether your marriage can be salvaged.
Them courts sucked me dry, I spent that bread
Attorney’s fees and court costs can really stack up. It is important to speak with your attorney about cost concerns and to carefully consider the needs of your case.
She need her daddy, baby, please
Texas courts generally agree that children need each of their parents and they will try very hard to give each parent involvement in the lives of their children unless there is convincing reason to believe that a parent is unfit. It is important to consider which issues with the coparent of your child have to do with the best interest of the child, and which issues are personal and do not involve the child. Just because you don’t like the coparent of your child does not always mean that it is a good idea to rope them into a lawsuit. Be sure that you have serious concerns about the wellbeing of your child if you are considering taking legal action.
