Posted on November 30, 2023 in Family Law

Texas offers its citizens three main protective orders: temporary ex parte, final, and emergency protection. They vary from restraining orders because they are enforceable and provide more protection. A protective order is often used to protect individuals who have been or feel threatened by the possibility of domestic violence. A family law attorney can go over the protective order options for your particular case and petition for one to the court on your behalf.

What Does A Protective Order Do?

A protective order is one way the law can protect individuals from further harm. Though you may hear them often used interchangeably, they are different from restraining orders. Three other protection orders in Texas serve to help individuals gain legal protection for themselves and their family members from the act or threat of domestic violence.

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 Posted on November 27, 2023 in Personal Injury

Motorcycle accidents are a common occurrence in Texas. It occurs so often that, on average, one motorcyclist dies from a crash daily. There are many reasons and causes for motorcycle accidents, most of which involve another vehicle's negligence. Most vehicles are looking for other cars on the road and not motorcycles, which are often more challenging to see. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident and seek compensation, contacting an experienced personal injury attorney is important.

Distracted Driving

A driver not paying attention to the road can often be a recipe for disaster. Drivers who text, eat, and shave while driving or pay more attention to their conversation with a passenger than the road can easily cause a motorcyclist to suffer an accident. Distracted driving using a handheld cell phone is illegal in Texas. However, it only carries a misdemeanor charge. It is up to passenger vehicle drivers to pay attention to motorcyclists on the road, and it is up to motorcyclists to be aware of passenger vehicle drivers who are driving distracted. 

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 Posted on November 13, 2023 in Child Support

The custodial parent has little to no say in how much support they will receive from the non-custodial parent concerning child support payments. Child support is court-ordered and legally binding but does not say precisely what it has to be used for. Outside of a child’s basic needs being met, the non-custodial parent can use the payment for anything they see fit. Parents concerned with child support payments should speak to a skilled and experienced family law attorney for more information.

What is Child Support?

Child support is payments the non-custodial parent must pay to the custodial parent to cover their children’s basic needs. Its primary use is to cover the costs of raising a child. Child support typically lasts until the child reaches the age of 18 or graduates from high school. The amount ordered is non-negotiable, and failure to make child support payments carries a whole host of different penalties.

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 Posted on November 02, 2023 in Divorce

Divorce is a trying time for everyone involved. A contested divorce can be even more of an assault on the mental and emotional well-being of both parties. However, no one is more affected than children caught in the middle of a divorce battle. Both during and after divorce proceedings can be especially hard on children looking to cope with the inevitable changes. It is times such as these where an empathetic and compassionate attorney can come in clutch during the divorce process.

Denial

The shock of losing what was once normal, day-to-day life can be jarring to a child. It can become overwhelming to know that nothing will ever be the same, so a child will attempt to avoid thinking about what is happening and the grief associated. They ultimately fear reality so much that they choose to take comfort in lying to themselves that “everything will get better” or “nothing will change” to prevent the full impact of the situation. In their minds, separation and divorce are not options, and the issues the parents are facing are only temporary.

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 Posted on October 30, 2023 in Family Law

Not all biological parents have the courage to take care of their own children. Some may not even be capable due to specific circumstances. This is why taking on the parental responsibilities of a non-related child is an incredible decision and a noble calling. Yet, there are a few obstacles a stepparent must overcome before being granted the rights and privileges that come with adoption. To help you better understand the stepparent adoption process in Texas, you should find an attorney experienced in these legal procedures.

What Does It Mean to Adopt as a Step-Parent?

Stepparent adoption is the legal avenue a stepparent must take to adopt the child of their spouse. The stepparent will assume all parental rights and responsibilities of a birth parent and become the child’s legal guardian. This provides the child with a new birth certificate, a possible new name, and all other legal rights, such as inheritance, as other children in the family.

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 Posted on October 23, 2023 in Personal Injury

Property owners must maintain a safe environment to prevent injury from occurring on the premises. This is referred to as premises liability and holds the owners and residents of the property liable in the occurrence of accidents or injury. A lawyer experienced in premises liability legal matters can assist you in mounting a case against negligent property owners.

What Are Some Common Incidents That Can Result in Premises Liability?

There are quite a few incidents that can result in premises liability. The most common are:

• Slip and falls
• Animal attacks
• Amusement park accidents
• Hotel accidents
• Parking lot and garage accidents
• Swimming pool accidents

People often fail to file a premises liability lawsuit if they must name their neighbors or friends as negligent. Thankfully, this is what homeowner’s insurance helps to resolve. Homeowner insurance is meant to pay the medical and other damage expenses as the result of an accident.

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 Posted on October 12, 2023 in Family Law

Unless the court orders a paternity test to be taken, you can refuse to get one. However, establishing paternity has many benefits for both parents who wish to be in their alleged child’s life. Not to mention that refusal of a court-ordered paternity test can result in severe civil penalties.

A compassionate and empathic attorney can aid you when looking to establish paternity. They can provide legal advice on how to proceed with your paternity case and inform you of your paternity rights and options.

Who Can Ask For a Court-Ordered Paternity Test?

Either parent, presumed or alleged, can request a court-ordered paternity test to establish paternity for a minor child. An expecting mother, state social service agency, or a child who has reached the age of majority can also request a court-ordered paternity test.

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 Posted on October 03, 2023 in Divorce

Mediation can be a good idea in gray divorce but it might not be right for all couples. Mediation may not be the ideal choice in cases involving a history of domestic violence, or abuse, or when one spouse is uncooperative in negotiations. However, for many gray divorcing couples, mediation can be a helpful and effective way to resolve their differences and reach a divorce settlement.

Having a divorce lawyer on your side provides support with navigating the mediation process, resolving conflicts, and finalizing your court agreements all while protecting your rights. Do yourself a favor and contact an attorney with experience in gray divorce who you can trust to represent your best interests.

What is the Role of a Mediator in a Gray Divorce?

Mediators provide a safe space for couples to talk about their needs and problems. They help couples understand their legal rights and come up with creative solutions. Mediation can help couples focus on their future and reach agreements that are good for both of them, even though divorce can be emotionally difficult.

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 Posted on September 28, 2023 in Divorce

Divorce can be a difficult process at any age, but it can be especially challenging for couples over 50. Gray divorce is the term used to describe divorce among couples in this age group. The divorce rate for the group has seen a steady rise in recent years.

Older couples looking to engage in divorce should consult legal counsel. Working with a good lawyer can help navigate the legal complexities of a gray divorce.

Why is Gray Divorce So Common?

Many factors have contributed to the rise in gray divorce in Texas. One of these is that people are living longer and healthier lives, meaning they have more time to grow apart from their spouses. Another factor is that women are more likely to be financially independent than they were in the past, which gives them the option to leave unhappy marriages.

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 Posted on September 19, 2023 in Personal Injury

Every hardworking employee in Texas has the right to a safe workplace. But in Texas, workplace injury liability can be complicated, especially for those unfamiliar with the law.

The Texas Occupational Safety and Health Act (TOSHA) and Texas Labor Codes outline requirements that give employees some safety nets for workplace injury claims. For help processing a workplace injury claim you should contact a personal injury attorney. They can help you with the filing of your claim and represent you if necessary.

The Texas Occupational Safety and Health Act (TOSHA)

The Texas Occupational Safety and Health Act (TOSHA) requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees.

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