Podcast
Texas Family Law Insiders
Hosted by Holly Draper · EN
The Texas Family Law Insiders podcast brings together top divorce and family law attorneys and other professionals to discuss issues related to divorce, family law, child custody, child support, paternity, parental rights, grandparents’ rights, adoptions, and family law appeals in Texas.
29episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Carey Worrell | Episode 140 Everything a Family Lawyer Needs to Know about Real Estate Law
Today00:34:12Summary readyWhen a marriage ends, the family home is often the most valuable — and most complicated — asset on the table. But what happens after the ink dries on the divorce decree? In this episode, Holly Draper sits down with Harvard Law graduate and real estate attorney Carey Worrell of Simple Law Texas to unpack the critical real estate concepts that can make or break your clients' financial futures long after a divorce is final.Whether you're a family lawyer looking to sharpen your drafting skills, or someone navigating a divorce and wondering what all this property paperwork actually means, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom you won't want to miss.In this episode you'll discover:Why the type of deed matters — the key differences between general warranty deeds, special warranty deeds, deeds without warranty, and quitclaim deeds, and which one actually protects your client in a divorceWhat a deed of trust to secure assumption really does — and the critical distinction between protecting yourself against your spouse versus remaining on the hook with the lenderThe refinance requirement trap — why failing to include a refinance obligation (with a backup forced-sale provision) in a divorce decree can leave your client financially stuck for yearsLegal descriptions vs. street addresses — why using the wrong property description can make a deed unenforceable against third parties, and where to find the correct legal descriptionThe "muniment of title" clause — a simple piece of boilerplate language that can save the day if a spouse dies or disappears before executing a required deedCommon drafting mistakes family lawyers make — including mixing up the grantor and grantee on a deed of trust, relying on appraisal district descriptions, and what to do if a past quitclaim deed is causing title insurance problems years later
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Denise Capurso | Episode 139 Trauma, Coercion, Narcissism, and Connecting Your Clients with Support Systems
2w ago00:31:36Summary readyIn this episode, Holly Draper sits down with Denise Capurso, a licensed clinical social worker with nearly 30 years of experience helping women heal from narcissistic abuse, coercive control, and complex relational trauma. Denise, who is based in Frisco, Texas and sees clients statewide, brings an essential clinical perspective to issues that family law attorneys encounter in their practices every day.The conversation covers critical ground for attorneys navigating high-conflict divorce and custody cases. Denise explains the distinction between narcissistic personality disorder and narcissistic traits, clarifies what narcissistic abuse and coercive control actually look like in practice, and unpacks the DARVO pattern — Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender — that abusers routinely deploy in courtrooms, mediation, and legal filings. She addresses why survivors of long-term abuse often appear dysregulated, scattered, or non-credible in legal settings, and why their failure to call police or press charges is rarely evidence that abuse did not occur.Denise also offers practical guidance for attorneys: how to recognize litigation abuse as a form of ongoing coercive control, why faster resolution generally better serves the survivor, what to look for when clients report stalking or monitoring, and how to help traumatized clients prepare for court appearances. This episode is an essential listen for any family law attorney whose clients may be navigating the aftermath of emotional, psychological, or coercive abuse. In this episode you will discover:• The difference between narcissistic personality disorder and narcissistic traits• What coercive control really is and how it works • How the DARVO (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender) pattern works• Why survivors of narcissistic abuse appear dysregulated or non-credible in legal settings• What attorneys and judges should understand about the neuroscience of these kinds of relational traumas• Why stalking and digital monitoring within relationships is the number one predictor of escalation to physical violence• Actionable advice for attorneys working with abuse survivors Connect with Denise CapursoWebsite: dccounseling.orgInstagram: @Denise_supportcoach | @CharminglyToxicPodcast: Charmingly ToxicLocation: Frisco, Texas (serves clients statewide; offers attorney consultations)
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Rachael Kelly l Episode 138: Making Mental Health Connections to Improve Client Outcomes in Litigation and in Life
4w ago00:40:30Summary readyTexas Family Law Insiders: Episode 138Guest: Rachael Kelly, Founder of Hive EnterprisesIn this episode, host Holly Draper sits down with Rachael Kelly to explore the intersection of mental health, trauma, and family law. Rachael shares her journey from corporate executive to founding Hive Enterprises, a platform that supports individuals and organizations through high-stakes life transitions. The conversation focuses on how family lawyers can better serve clients who have experienced trauma and domestic violence by adopting a trauma-informed approach.Clients who have experienced, or are experiencing trauma, in their relationships may or may not be aware of the psychological damage that has been done, and as an attorney, you can better serve your clients by helping them connect with the appropriate kind of support they need to be able to begin their recovery, enabling you to focus on getting them a desirable legal outcome.In this episode you'll discover:Red flag behaviors that might indicate traumaThe "oxygen mask" rule for attorneysWhy clients in survival mode might struggle to support their own litigation efforts Techniques for client co-regulationThe need for scaffolded support for your clients who have experienced trauma
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Bryann Owen l Episode 137 Divorce Coaching to Up Your End Game
Apr 1500:32:44Summary readyDivorce clients often arrive overwhelmed, reactive, and unsure of what they actually want their post-divorce life to look like. In this episode of the Texas Family Law Insiders Podcast, host Carrie Tapia speaks with Bryann Owen, founder of Rebuild with Bryann, about the growing role of divorce coaching and how it can support both clients and their attorneys during high-conflict or emotionally charged cases.Bryann explains how divorce coaching bridges the gap between legal strategy and emotional readiness—helping clients clarify their goals, regulate reactions, and make decisions aligned with the life they want after the case is over. For family lawyers, that can translate into more focused clients, more productive conversations, and better litigation outcomes.If you’ve ever had a client who couldn’t articulate their goals, struggled to manage the emotional toll of divorce, or needed support beyond legal advice, this conversation explores how divorce coaching can complement the work family lawyers already do.In this episode, you'll discover:● What divorce coaching actually is● How emotionally overwhelmed clients can unintentionally derail litigation strategy● How family lawyers and divorce coaches can work together effectively ● Ways divorce coaching can reduce conflict and improve outcomes● Key considerations around confidentiality and privilege
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Holly Draper I Preserving Appeals at the Trial
Apr 100:23:50Summary readyWhat you do—or fail to do—during trial can determine whether your client has any meaningful right to appeal. In this solo episode of the Texas Family Law Insiders Podcast, family law appellate attorney Holly Draper shares practical guidance for trial lawyers on one of the most commonly misunderstood areas of litigation: preserving error for appeal.Drawing on years of reviewing trial transcripts in family law appeals—including cases that reached the Texas Supreme Court—Holly highlights the procedural mistakes trial lawyers frequently make that can completely eliminate appellate arguments. From objections to offers of proof to evidentiary gaps, this episode provides a clear roadmap for protecting the appellate record while still effectively advocating in the courtroom.For family lawyers who rarely handle appeals but want to protect their clients—and themselves—this episode offers essential, courtroom-ready guidance on how to make sure critical issues remain reviewable if a case goes up on appeal.In this episode, you'll discover:● Why failing to properly preserve the record can completely eliminate appellate options● How and when to make objections during trial”● The importance of obtaining explicit rulings on objections● How offers of proof protect excluded evidence for appeal● Why many attorneys lose appellate issues by failing to present evidence supporting their claims
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Michelle Appling Episode 135 Real Talk about Real Estate with a CDRE
Mar 1800:31:16Summary readyFor many family law cases, the marital residence is the largest asset at stake—and one of the most difficult to resolve. In this episode of the Texas Family Law Insiders Podcast, host Carrie Tapia sits down with Michelle Appling, a Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert (CDRE) based in North Texas, to discuss the unique challenges that arise when selling or dividing real estate in divorce.From buyouts and refinancing to contested sales and poorly drafted decree provisions, Michelle shares practical insight into how divorce-related real estate transactions differ from typical residential sales—and how attorneys can avoid common pitfalls that derail settlements or create post-decree headaches. This episode offers family lawyers practical strategies for working effectively with real estate professionals to protect clients and keep property disputes from spiraling into costly conflict.In this episode, you'll discover:● How divorce real estate transactions differ from typical home sales● Common mistakes lawyers make in decrees and mediated settlement agreements● Why listing deadlines and pricing provisions in decrees can create unintended problems.● Key logistical challenges in divorce home sales● How collaboration between family lawyers and divorce-focused real estate professionals can streamline negotiations, protect clients’ interests, and prevent post-divorce disputes
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Episode 134 - Bradley Craig l Co-Parenting Tips for Guiding Clients in High-Conflict Parenting Relationship
Mar 400:39:44Summary readyWho can you send parents to when they need help figuring out how to co-parent in a healthy manner? What do you do when you and your client are struggling to work out a co-parenting plan with their ex? Are there resources out there to help parent navigate the minefield of working with someone with whom they have struggled to work with for years? In this episode of the Texas Family Law Insiders Podcast, Holly visits with Bradley Craig, a licensed social worker, certified family life educator, an expert in the field of parenting facilitation, and author of Between Two Homes, a Co-Parenting Handbook for Parents and Attorneys.In this episode you will discover:The difference between Cooperative and Parallel Co-ParentingThe importance of avoiding and/or addressing Conflicted Co-ParentingThe characteristics of High Conflict relationships in terms of parentingThe benefit of involving a parenting facilitatorResources available to you and your clients to help with the co-parenting processThe financial benefit to your clients for investing in healthy co-parenting practices
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Episode 133 l Real Insights on Running a Virtual Law Practice
Feb 1800:28:17Summary readyIn today's legal landscape, operating a brick-and-mortar office might not be the best choice for your business, especially as you scale it. In this episode, Holly Draper and Carrie Tapia will discuss the advantages and challenges of operating a thriving virtual law practice. They will offer advice on how to start and grow your virtual firm and share their insights gained over years operating in this format.In this episode you will discover:-The advantages and challenges that operating a virtual firm presents-How to maintain office culture when there is no office-The necessity of process development and training to ensure efficient and effective representation.-Practical advice for starting and growing your practice
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Sharon Ramage: Navigating Special Education Issues in Family Law
Feb 400:50:48Summary readyIn this episode of the Texas Family Law Insiders Podcast, Holly Draper welcomes Sharon Ramage, founder and CEO of the Ramage Law Group in McKinney, Texas. In addition to being a family law attorney, Sharon is one of the few special education attorneys in the state. Sharon brings a unique perspective as both a former social worker and special education hearing officer. She discusses the critical intersection of family law and special education, explaining why family lawyers must understand IDEA, IEPs, and 504 plans when representing families with special needs children. Sharon shares practical advice on drafting orders, avoiding common pitfalls like appointing tiebreakers, and knowing when to bring in a special education attorney. In this episode you’ll discover:The basics of Special Education law and the differences between IDEA and Section 504 The necessity of assigning educational rights to one parent and the potential pitfalls when they are not How to advocate properly with the judge when there are special education issues at hand Who should and should not be making Special Education-related decisions
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Texas Family Law Insiders Episode 131 - Holly Draper on The Importance of Temporary Orders and How to Prepare for a hearing on them.
Jan 2100:27:38Summary readyHave you ever noticed that Temporary Orders often become the long-term orders in a divorce proceeding? Temporary orders can influence the ultimate outcome of a divorce or custody proceeding dramatically. In this episode, Holly Draper will provide a list of very important things to make sure you include in your preparation for and in your appearance at a temporary orders hearing.
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