Law Office of Chris Schmiedeke, PC

06/02/2026

In case you haven’t seen, we charge a flat fee for all divorce cases whether that’s agreed or contested. This definitely isn’t the normal among law firms, but we have 30+ years of experience, so we know what a case is going to take, and we’re comfortable setting that dollar amount before we start. You agree to that number, then we begin.

That’s what our June newsletter is all about, so feel free to read up to learn more.

If you have questions about your specific case, contact us for a free consultation.

06/01/2026

Divorce is never easy, but it sure can be a lot harder if you make it that way! Social media, a revenge mentality, and taking bad advice from friends (even if they mean well!) can make divorce significantly more difficult. How so? Let’s talk about it 👇🏼

1) Social Media
That angry post might feel good in the moment, but screenshots last forever. We’ve seen people post about their ex, show off a new relationship, or complain about custody arrangements, only to have it become evidence later. If you’re going through a divorce, assume a judge could eventually see what you post.

2) Revenge
Trying to “teach your spouse a lesson” usually backfires. Draining bank accounts, withholding the kids, damaging property, or refusing to cooperate often leads to more conflict, more legal fees, and a longer divorce process.

3) Bad Advice from Friends
Friends mean well, but their advice is often based on what happened in their divorce, not yours. Every situation is different. “My friend got the house,” or “My cousin didn’t have to pay support,” doesn’t mean the same outcome applies to your case.

4) All of the Above (if you guessed this one, you’re correct!)
A lot of divorces become more expensive, more stressful, and take longer because of these three things. Staying calm, getting good legal advice (please let us help you if you’re in the Dallas, Texas, area), and thinking long-term usually leads to better results.

We don’t claim to make divorce easy, but we do simplify it here. If you’re interested in learning more, we offer free consultation calls and a flat fee price that you agree on before we ever bill you!

06/01/2026

Fairness for adults is NOT equal to functionality for kids. That’s what you’re not hearing.

And functionality for kids should always be top priority when figuring out custody, especially among blended families.

Read through all of these and sit with them. Then go read our entire blog post about this. It’s so important. And if your custody schedule isn’t working anymore? Let’s fix it. We want it to work in the real world, not just in paper.

05/30/2026

Think your divorce can be finalized in 60 days?

Not so fast.

Texas has a mandatory 60-day waiting period before most divorces can be finalized. And day 60 is the earliest possible finish line, not a guarantee.

The couples who use those 60 days wisely often save time, money, and stress. The ones who just try to wait it out usually find themselves dealing with delays.

If you’re considering divorce in Texas, you should understand how the waiting period actually works and how to utilize it to avoid frustration and make better decisions from the start.

Read the full blog 👉

If you're filing for divorce in Dallas, one of the first questions you may ask is: "Do I really have to wait 60 days?" Short answer: Yes. Read more here.

05/28/2026

Ask yourself this during a divorce: would you want a judge to hear/see this? If the answer is no… don’t tell ‘em! 🤫

Talking too much can really hurt you during a divorce. Whether it’s angry texts/paragraphs, vague posts on social media, the “receipts”, venting to mutual friends, or making videos about it all.

In divorce, emotions are high. But what you say in the moment can follow you for a LONG time.

Screenshots get shared.
Texts get printed.
Posts get brought into court.

Sometimes the best move is simple: keep it zipped. 🤐

05/28/2026

Blended families can bring a lot of love into a child’s life. But they can also create custody challenges most parents never see coming until daily life starts feeling chaotic.

Different schedules. Different households. Different rules. Step-parent dynamics. Last-minute changes. Over time, even small issues can create stress for both parents and children.

Children adjust far better when routines are predictable, communication is clear, and the adults create structure before conflict escalates.

In this new blog, Chris breaks down why blended family custody arrangements often become harder than expected and what Texas families can do early to create more stability, consistency, and peace across households.

Read more: https://www.chrislawyer.com/the-hidden-custody-chaos-in-blended-families-and-how-texas-families-can-fix-it-early/

Blended family custody arrangements in Texas can quickly become stressful without clear structure. Learn how proactive custody planning helps reduce conflict, improve stability, and support children across multiple households.

05/26/2026

About to go through a divorce? You have enough to worry about: money, your kids, how your life is going to look… the last thing you need is a legal bill that surprises you every month.

That’s the real reason we do flat fee pricing.

Not because it’s trendy, but because people going through a divorce deserve to know what they’re paying before they pay it.

One price. Agreed upfront. For agreed AND contested cases.

Divorce. Simplified.
chrislawyer.com
(214) 643-8904

05/25/2026

Today, we remember and honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. 🇺🇸

Memorial Day is more than a long weekend. It’s a reminder to pause, reflect, and appreciate the freedoms and moments we often take for granted.

From all of us at Divorce Simplified, we’re remembering the fallen with you today.

05/24/2026

Have a long weekend ahead with no kids? First, you’re not alone. Second, we know that’s hard, and the house can seem really silent. So, here’s a few things to try out this Memorial Day weekend:

1. Don’t be afraid to relax! Allow yourself to sleep in, watch your shows, and do some self care. This will refresh and recharge you for when the kids are back and it’s go, go, go!

2. Enjoy time out with your friends. Say yes to their backyard barbecues and boat parties! Or get the crew together and go out. Even if they’re all still happily married, they still need a night out. Keep it as low key or high key as you want. 😉

3. Get all that cleaning and yard work done! When the kids are with you, you don’t want to be using that precious time to w**d the garden bed or organize the pantry (unless, of course, you want them to help). But cleaning and gardening can be very therapeutic.

4. If your kids do have events going on - go to them! They’ll love the support, and you’ll love seeing them. And don’t be afraid to say no to after parties where you can be care-free knowing you’re off-duty.

What is everyone up to this weekend? What would you add to this list?

05/22/2026

One of the hardest parts of divorce is keeping life consistent for the kids.

Schedules matter. A lot.

We have seen this play out over and over. Parents build a custody schedule that looks fine on paper. Then real life starts. School pickup. Sports. Work schedules. Sick days. Holidays. Everything gets harder.

Kids usually do better with routines they can count on.

The strongest parenting plans are practical. They account for actual daily life. Not just what sounds fair in the moment.

In our experience, the parents who communicate clearly and stay consistent usually avoid the most conflict later.

Always operate from the calendar. That applies to co-parenting too. At Divorce Simplified, we help parents create parenting plans that work in real life. Not just in court documents.

📱 (214) 643-8904