Based on numerous studies of how married couples interact, John Gottman has sorted couples into five types: Validating, Volatile, Conflict-Avoiding, Hostile, and Hostile--Detached.  Validating, Volatile, and Conflict-Avoiding couples are generally happy in their marriages, Hostile couples are unhappy, but none of these types are likely to divorce.  On the other hand, Hostile-Detached couples are unhappy and may be heading toward divorce.  Each type is different, but you can know … [Read more...]

Texas courts are mandated to divide marital property in a “just and right” manner, but that doesn’t always mean a 50/50 split.  Texas courts consider many factors when dividing a marital estate.  For example, if one spouse commits adultery, family violence, is a felon, or abandons the marriage, courts may award a larger share of community property to the innocent spouse.  It also matters whether the property in questions is characterized as community or separate, because Texas … [Read more...]

Everyone has habits that annoy their spouse, but some behaviors can destroy your marriage if you don’t change.  The good news is it’s probably not too late to change those habits and rebuild your marriage.  Below are the seven common habits that can destroy any marriage if they continue. Addiction.  Being addicted to social media, gaming, food, alcohol, drugs, shopping, smoking, or gambling can destroy the strongest marriage.  If you are addicted to anything, stop and … [Read more...]

During the 11th Century, Pope Gregory VII excommunicated all Eastern Orthodox Christians because he was competing with the head of the Eastern Catholic Church for Papal power.  The Eastern Orthodox Church never adopted the view that celibacy is the preferred way of life for Christians, and Eastern Priests were allowed to marry and divorce.  Eastern Orthodox divorces required a judicial trial and courts granted divorces on grounds of impotence, attempted murder of a spouse, long … [Read more...]