Posted on February 17, 2025 in Divorce

Although overall divorce rates in the U.S. are decreasing slightly, there were still almost 674,000 divorces in 2022, when the available data was last examined. Interestingly, the number of divorces for couples under 45 is on a downward trend, with the number increasing for couples older than 45.

The children of any divorcing couple, regardless of age, are impacted in several ways. The effects are markedly different, though, for young versus adult children. As parents, you likely want to minimize the adverse effects your divorce will have on your family. A skilled Dallas, TX divorce attorney understands the difficult decisions you are facing and can help you reach tailored solutions to reduce your and your children’s stress.

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 Posted on January 29, 2025 in Child Support

One of the most pressing questions parents have when they go through a divorce is how it will affect them financially. There can be a great deal of anxiety and confusion around things like child support, how much you might have to pay, and for how long. Generally, the noncustodial parent makes these payments to the custodial parent, but other than that, there can be a lot of uncertainty. Fortunately, a knowledgeable Texas family law attorney can explain what goes into those decisions and help you have reasonable expectations. 

How Do Your Net Resources Impact Your Child Support Payments?

The first factor in Texas child support calculations is what the paying parent’s net resources are. First, all their sources of income are calculated. These can include their salary – including bonuses and commissions, investment income, retirement benefits, social security benefits, and unemployment benefits.

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 Posted on January 17, 2025 in DWI

As with any type of criminal charge, it can be extremely overwhelming to face a DWI conviction, but you may have options. In fact, depending on the specific details of your case, you might be able to get your conviction overturned. While this can be difficult to achieve, it is possible given the right circumstances and legal representation. If you believe you were unfairly convicted and want to explore ways to have your conviction overturned, speak with a proven Dallas, TX DWI defense lawyer to learn more.

How Do You Appeal a DWI Conviction in Texas?

When someone is convinced they were wrongly convicted, they have the legal right to request an appeal, which would mean that a higher court will review the conviction and see if there is any reason to overturn it. An appeal does not mean your case will be retried. The court will not accept any new evidence or testimony but will review the transcripts of your case and the attorneys’ briefs to see whether any misconduct or misapplication of the law led to a wrongful conviction.

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 Posted on December 18, 2024 in Divorce

Everyone has something that makes them unique. The same is true for marriages and divorces. The time it takes to finalize a divorce in Texas can vary depending on several factors, including the complexity of the case, whether the divorce is contested or uncontested, and how quickly the couple can reach an agreement. 

Some couples can resolve their divorce in a matter of months while others can take a year or longer. For a better idea of how your divorce timeline might look, speak with a knowledgeable Tarrant County, TX divorce lawyer who can review your case and guide you further.

60-Day Waiting Period

Texas has a mandatory 60-day waiting period from the date someone files a divorce petition until the divorce can be finalized. This applies to all divorces, even when both spouses agree about everything. This waiting period is meant to give couples time to reflect, in case they want to reconsider their decision to divorce.

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 Posted on December 05, 2024 in DWI

For most people, hearing about a DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) charge in Texas immediately makes them think about someone paying a hefty fine and spending time in jail. Those are of course serious consequences, but they are not the only ones. 

A DWI can lead to far-reaching effects that can last long after the court case is over. If you are facing DWI charges, the stakes are too high not to protect yourself with strong legal representation. Speak with a qualified Dallas, TX criminal defense lawyer to understand your options.

Loss of Driver's License

One of the most impactful consequences of a DWI charge is having your driver's license suspended. If you are arrested for DWI, the Texas Department of Public Safety will suspend your license. This happens automatically, before your trial. It can be suspended for anywhere from 90 days to 2 years, depending on the circumstances.

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 Posted on November 25, 2024 in Divorce

Divorce can be a challenging emotional process, but it does not always have to be antagonistic. In Texas, couples have the option of using collaborative law to work together to reach an agreement about the terms of their divorce without needing to go to court. This process is designed to help divorcing couples find solutions that work for everyone, especially when there are children involved. If you think a collaborative divorce is a good option for you and your spouse, speak with a skilled Dallas, TX divorce lawyer to learn more.

How Does Collaborative Law Work?

Collaborative law is when both spouses agree to settle their divorce peacefully instead of fighting in court. They work together to resolve the issues that need to be included in their divorce settlement, like how to divide their property, how custody will be shared, and whether either will pay spousal support.

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 Posted on November 14, 2024 in Criminal Law

One topic in criminal law that gets relatively little attention is jury nullification. This legally recognized option offers juries an interesting way to balance their personal beliefs and conscience with current laws. It allows juries who acknowledge that a defendant violated a law but feel that the law is unjust or was applied unjustly to acquit him or her of the criminal charges in their case.

This practice is legal in Texas. However, the majority of people, including people who sit on juries, do not even know that it is an option. To learn more about jury nullification, speak with a knowledgeable Tarrant County, TX criminal defense lawyer.

Why Does Jury Nullification Happen?

Jury nullification happens when a jury finds a defendant not guilty even though they believe he or she broke the law if the jurors believe the law is unjust, unfair, or should not apply in that particular case. Since jurors are tasked with making judgments that reflect their communities’ values, they can return a verdict that might go against the law or the facts in a given case.

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 Posted on October 30, 2024 in Spousal Support

While divorce happens fairly often and people know a lot about what it involves, there are still some serious misconceptions. Some are based on old practices, and some are based on simple misunderstandings. Whatever the cause, it is important to clear up confusion with reliable information.

One issue that many people mistakenly think they know about is spousal support, which is commonly known as alimony. There is a popular, but inaccurate, belief that when a couple gets divorced, the husband always has to pay spousal support to the wife. In reality, decisions about spousal support are based on several factors. The spouse’s gender is not one of them. If you are considering divorce but are wondering what you might be able to expect from a settlement, speak with a knowledgeable Tarrant County, TX family law attorney for guidance.

How is Spousal Support Calculated in Texas?

In Texas, several factors are considered when calculating spousal support, including:

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 Posted on October 09, 2024 in Criminal Law

Parents sometimes joke that they wish their child came with a user’s manual. In truth, parenting can be challenging, partly because every child is different and reacts differently to various situations. Some children listen when their parents tell them not to do something. Others ignore their parents’ rules. All parents are different, too, and they react to their misbehaving children in different ways.

In some situations, a parent might find it necessary to lock their child outside the house. However, in Texas, this might result in criminal charges of child endangerment. A recent case highlights the possible legal consequences for a parent who kicks their child out of the house. Raising a rebellious teen can feel like an uphill battle, but a knowledgeable Dallas, TX criminal defense attorney can advise you on how to protect yourself and your rights in a criminal case.

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 Posted on September 20, 2024 in Child Custody

With increasing concerns about the mental health and safety of children related to online activity, Texas recently enacted a law giving parents the authority to monitor and restrict what their child does on social media. Parental approval can also be required when children create their own accounts. Unfortunately, when divorced parents with shared custody are not on the same page about their child’s internet use, it can be a source of added tension. If you and your ex disagree about how your child’s social media activity should be restricted, an experienced Dallas, TX family law attorney can offer useful guidance.

Parental Control of Social Media Explained

Texas recently enacted the Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act, giving parents the legal authority to access any social media accounts belonging to their children. They can monitor and limit the amount of time their child spends on these platforms and restrict the content that they can engage with.

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