There has been no shortage of discussion of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed this past year. For many, the tax law involved an immediate increase in their take home pay. But, there were many provisions of this law that were not discussed completely … [Read more...]
Military Divorce
One of the sad realities in Texas is that just over half of all marriages end in divorce. Perhaps due to the number of divorces, young attorneys fresh out of school often do divorces until they get their first job. It is also perhaps for this (and … [Read more...]
Changes to the Family Code
It’s almost September and a new legislative year, which means there are changes coming. One of the biggest this year is the change to the medical support provisions. Until now, parents were only required to carry medical insurance as part of the … [Read more...]
Preparing to Go to Court
When you’re in the family courts—whether it is for adoption, divorce or a suit affecting the parent-child relationship—one of the most important things to remember is that you’re asking a stranger to make a decision about your life. It is vitally … [Read more...]
Grandparents’ Rights: The Times They Are a-Changing
I have written before about a common misconception about grandparents’ rights, specifically related to a grandparent’s “standing” to file suit related to the custody of or visitation with a minor grandchild. A recent decision by the Texas Supreme … [Read more...]
The Family Code and New Changes Going into Effect
Recently my wife had to have done dental work done. IT WAS EXPENSIVE! No… seriously… expensive. Fortunately, we have dental insurance. Otherwise, that $3,000 we paid out of pocket may well have been twice as much. That got me to thinking about … [Read more...]
If You Think It Is Expensive to Hire a Professional to Do a Job, Wait Until You Hire an Amateur
Like everyone else, I have to be careful with my money, and, whenever possible, I try to do a job myself rather than hire a professional. There are plenty of outlets to help you do it yourself in order to save a buck, including TurboTax, Home Depot, … [Read more...]
No Man’s Life, Liberty, or Property are Safe while the Legislature is in Session
No Man’s life, liberty, or property are safe while the legislature is in session. ~ Gideon Tucker For as long as anyone can remember, alimony has been tax deductible. In Texas, we do not call it alimony instead, it is referred to as Post Divorce … [Read more...]
“It’s not the stuff we know that’s a problem. It’s what we know that’s wrong!”
This summer I attended the Advanced Family Law Course as I do most years. However, this year my wife attended with me. I was struck by something she said. At one point, we were watching one of the seminars and she commented “This is a lot more … [Read more...]
Child Custody During the Holidays
It seems every year about this time people lose their minds. The Possession and Access schedule listed on most Divorces and Suits Affecting the Parent Child Relationship list a holiday schedule. Every year people seem to have trouble understanding of … [Read more...]
“Can’t We All Just Get Along?” Suggestions for Holiday Parenting
In Texas, as in most states, the law tells judges that the most important thing, overriding pretty much everything except the Constitution, is the “best interest of the child.” If you are a parent, and you aren’t living with your child’s other … [Read more...]
MEDIATION
As I am sitting here today in Mediation it got me to thinking about what a large role it plays in the domestic or family law litigation. About 30 years ago the legislature passed a law encouraging the use of alternative dispute resolution methods in … [Read more...]
