Chris A. Spofford

Chris A. Spofford is a Houston-based divorce and family law attorney with over 30 years of experience. He has assisted thousands of Texans in navigating the complex waters of divorce and family law matters.

Chris was among the first lawyers in Texas to be trained in Collaborative Divorce in 2000. He has distinguished himself in both intense courtroom trials and through innovative alternatives such as divorce mediation and collaborative family law.

  • Children and Texas Family Law: What is Reasonable?

    ByChris A. Spofford

    Child Custody and Time The term “reasonable” appears at least once in virtually every order involving children in a Texas Family Law divorce or child custody matter. So what does “reasonable” mean? In Texas Family Law, “reasonable” is considered to be what an ordinary person would think it means, without considering the emotional motivation of a parent involved in a Texas Family Law divorce matter. This is a delicate situation that arises with child custody and we offer this article to help parents understand how Texas family courts operate so parents can be better prepared to make decisions in their best interest and in the best interest of their children. Here are two areas where the question, “What is reasonable?” often arises. Reasonable telephone access to your child while he or she is with the other parent…

  • Children in Divorce

    ByChris A. Spofford

    Children are prone to worry and invariably, children in divorce experience it as traumatic. As obvious as that seems, it is not always so obvious what to do for them, and how best to act on your natural concern for children in divorce. One of a child’s primary worries is his or her sense of security. In our Family Law practice, we regard children’s welfare and security as the highest priority and work with every client to understand what this will mean for each family individually. These five questions are a good place to start: You may have many questions about children in divorce that Chris A. Spofford can help you answer. Among the many issues that concern you now, he can help you with three key legal…

  • Harris County Courts remain overwhelmed

    ByChris A. Spofford

    According to Texas Lawyer magazine (July 19, 2010), Harris County family law courts are “overwhelmed and under pressure.” Harris County Court House I couldn’t agree more. The Texas Lawyer article last year cites the fact that about 40 percent of all civil cases before Harris County courts are family law cases. Compared to a civil district judge, who has about 1,500 to 2,000 cases pending on the docket, Harris County family court judges may have as many as 4,000 cases pending. In the 25 years I have practices Family Law, population in Harris County has almost doubled and yet the number of district courts that hear exclusively family law cases has increased by one, which is the protective order court (280th District Court). Although this was a welcome addition, the…

  • How Does Child Support Work?

    ByChris A. Spofford

    Questions about child support are some of the most common that divorcing couples have as they enter the divorce process. Some of these questions are: How does Child Support Work? How is the Amount of Child Support Determined? Or even Why do I have to pay child support? Child support is a crucial part of ensuring that children receive financial assistance and support from both of their parents following a divorce or separation. In Texas, child support is typically determined based on state guidelines that consider various factors to determine the appropriate amount that one parent should pay to the other for the care and upbringing of their child. The amount of child support to be paid primarily follows a formula outlined in the Texas…

  • How To Tell Your Kids About Your Divorce

    ByChris A. Spofford

    In the delicate conversation of discussing your decision to divorce with your children, seeking professional guidance from a mental health expert such as a therapist experienced in handling children’s emotions during a divorce is always wise.  In most cases, it is best for you and your spouse to jointly tell your kids about the impending changes. These conversations are the most successful when handled together.  As their parents, you should reassure them that the divorce, while it will affect them, is not about them, and that you both will continue to love and care for them deeply. In this conversation, it is essential to emphasize that your children will maintain substantial contact with you both despite the changes.  You should encourage questions and maintain transparency…

  • How Do You Tell Your Spouse You Want a Divorce?

    ByChris A. Spofford

    Telling your spouse that you want a divorce is hard. You may not want to face them.  You may not want to look them in the eye. You may not want them looking you in the eyes and asking you, “Why?”. In the long run, having a formal conversation is better for the divorce process and your post-divorce life than just being served with a divorce lawsuit. Many people tell their spouse that they want a divorce by sitting down at the kitchen table and just having a conversation. Rip that band-aid off quickly. You could say, “I just want a divorce. I’m just not in love with you anymore. I want to move on with my life.” Maybe they will accept it, move their…

  • What Are My Options For Divorce?

    ByChris A. Spofford

    Most people think that the only way to get divorced is by going to court and having a judge decide the issues. The reality is that most divorce cases don’t have to go to court and that there are better ways to handle your divorce.  In going to court, the result is completely out of your control and completely in the judge’s hands or, in certain cases, the jury. No matter how strong your case, how good your facts, or how much you think the law is on your side, no one can predict how the judge what verdict a jury may return. The alternatives to going to court put more control in your hands over the outcome of the case. Collaborative Divorce Collaborative Divorce…

  • Tips For Managing Conflict During Your Divorce

    ByChris A. Spofford

    You are at one of the worst points in your life when you are going through a divorce.  As a result, conflict is inevitable. You want one thing in the divorce settlement, but your spouse wants something else. That kind of conflict is normal. When the conflict colors every aspect of the case it can become problematic. Putting the Kids First When there are children in a marriage, it is important to focus on decisions that are in the children’s best interest. While it is impossible to completely shield children from the divorce, it is important that the parents monitor how the kids are affected by the process and the inevitable conflict caused by the divorce. When each parent puts the children first in their…

  • Facebook Divorce and Child Custody

    ByChris A. Spofford

    Secret accounts, messages from strangers and reconnecting with old flames have all been made very easy with social media. Throughout my years as a paralegal, I have seen Facebook and social media as a factor in the demise of many relationships. Facebook Divorce Statistics According to FindLaw, “Information found on popular social networking sites has given divorce lawyers new tools in their divorce toolkits. Facebook and other sites are changing the legal landscape in divorce and child custody cases.” FindLaw reports that two-thirds of U.S. lawyers say Facebook is the primary source of evidence used in divorce cases. During a divorce or child custody case, your social media account is fair game. In fact, more often than not, opposing attorneys will request a complete download of…

  • Divorce Property Division Settlements Are Not Always 50/50 in Texas Family Law

    ByChris A. Spofford

    Texas Family Law does not mandate a 50/50 division of property in a divorce. Under Texas Family Law, the Court is charged with a duty to divide marital property in a manner that is “just and right.” Appellate Courts find in some divorces that 80/20 property division is “just and right.” Depending on the size of the estate, we see disproportionate property divisions falling in the range between 51 percent and 60 percent quite often. Under Texas Family Law, a divorcing spouse may be entitled to a disproportionately larger share of the community estate depending on the facts of that particular case. Each case is unique and one of the primary factors the Court considers in making a disproportionate property division is disparity in earning capacity….