Posted on June 29, 2025 in Child Support

A common misconception is that child support automatically ends when a child turns 18. However, it can be more complicated than that. The law outlines specific exceptions and situations where it may continue. Whether you are planning ahead or unsure if your current order should be modified, speaking with a knowledgeable Dallas, TX child support lawyer can help you stay compliant and protect your financial future.

What Does Texas Law Say About the Length of Child Support Payments?

In most cases, child support in Texas continues until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school. This basic concept is outlined in Texas Family Code § 154.001. Having this default rule ensures that minors receive necessary support through their primary education. However, if the child becomes legally emancipated before turning 18 by getting married, joining the military, or being declared independent by a court, support may end sooner.

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 Posted on June 14, 2025 in DWI

The most common questions regarding driving while intoxicated (DWI) charges in Texas are related to field sobriety tests (FSTs). Police use them to check for signs of intoxication, but many factors can impact the reliability of FSTs. If you were charged with a DWI and failed the field sobriety testing, an experienced Dallas DWI defense attorney can help. These highly nuanced cases require a thorough assessment to understand the best way to challenge the FST findings and the charges against you.

What Factors Can Impact the Accuracy of a Field Sobriety Test?

Not enough concern is given to the inherent difficulty of administering FSTs properly in real-life situations. Several factors can affect the accuracy of field sobriety testing, including the following:

• Susceptibility to surrounding conditions: FSTs are performed at different locations and in varying environments, including every type of weather. Everything from uneven ground and cold legs to visual obstacles and the fear of being hit by a vehicle can impact how a person performs.

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 Posted on May 28, 2025 in Spousal Support

Spousal support, also called spousal maintenance and alimony, is a main component of most divorce proceedings. The process of seeking spousal support can be complicated, especially when one parent stays home during much of the marriage to raise the children.

A common misconception is that you automatically receive alimony in a Texas divorce if you were a stay-at-home parent, but that is not the case. An experienced Dallas spousal support attorney will guide you through determining eligibility and how much you could receive.

How Do I Qualify for Alimony in a Texas Divorce?

Texas law outlines the requirements for maintenance in a divorce. As a stay-at-home parent, you have a greater chance of receiving spousal support, but you still need to meet the qualifications. The simplest way to find out if you qualify is to talk to a knowledgeable attorney who will assess the details of your marriage history and current situation to offer insight, but in general, Texas law mandates that at least one of the following apply to your case:

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 Posted on May 14, 2025 in Criminal Law

Violating probation, officially known as community supervision in Texas, can have serious penalties, especially if it is not the first time. For first-time violators and under certain circumstances, the court may be more lenient, but facing the court can be intimidating. Remember, you have rights, and a Dallas, TX probation violation defense attorney can help you understand the charges against you and the legal options available to protect your rights.

What Can You Expect After Being Arrested for Probation Violation in Texas?

Once you have been arrested for violating community supervision and either held on bond or released without bond, you will have a hearing scheduled with the court. At this point, hiring legal counsel is extremely important. Your attorney will represent you at the hearing, fighting to protect your rights and best interests. Even if the court decides to revoke your probation, your counsel can argue on your behalf for reinstatement.

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 Posted on April 25, 2025 in Property Division

Property division is typically the most complicated and challenging part of divorce proceedings. Often, the longer you have been married and the more assets and debt you have, the more complex the process. To ensure that your separate property remains separate, you can take proactive steps, some even before you are married, to ensure that your investments are protected. If you have questions about protecting your property, a Tarrant County, TX property division attorney will explain the best options for your circumstances.

How Does Texas Law Define Separate Property?

According to the Texas Family Code, separate property is defined as property owned by one spouse prior to the marriage and property gifted to or inherited by one spouse during the marriage. Additionally, if you received an award or settlement for personal injuries while married, all of the money except for any compensation for the loss of earning capacity would remain yours.

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 Posted on April 14, 2025 in Child Custody

Child custody can be a scary and unknown component of divorce for both parties involved. When both parents agree, the court will often accept the terms the parents create for their parenting plan, as long as the arrangement proves to be in the child’s best interest. If parents do not agree, the court will create a parenting order on their behalf.

To understand what a court may be likely to do in your case, it is useful to understand the factors that impact the terms of a custody order. If you have questions about your case, a Tarrant County, TX child custody attorney can help you understand the next best step.

Both Parents’ Situations and Abilities

Parents are under the microscope in custody cases for good reason. The court’s primary concern is to do what is best for the child. Some questions the judge will consider include:

• Are both households stable and secure, or is one more stable than the other?

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 Posted on March 27, 2025 in Criminal Law

Texas courts issue protective orders, commonly known as restraining orders, to protect individuals from threats or harm. While these orders are often considered a family law matter since they can be related to divorce or child custody disputes, violating a protective order is a criminal offense that can carry serious consequences. Understanding what constitutes a violation, the potential penalties, and available legal defenses is crucial for anyone facing such allegations. Speak with a qualified Texas criminal defense lawyer who also handles family law cases to learn more about this.

What Are the Penalties for Violating a Protective Order?

Protective orders typically include specific conditions that you are obligated to follow. These can be requirements to stay a certain distance away from the protected individual; prohibitions against contact through phone calls, messages, or social media; and restrictions on firearm possession. Violating these conditions can result in serious penalties. 

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 Posted on March 18, 2025 in Child Custody

Parents often think that once their divorce is finalized and custody arrangements are set, the hardest part is over. However, sometimes, patterns of domestic violence begin to emerge after the divorce. For example, one parent might notice signs of abuse or a concerning behavior pattern after the custody arrangement is already established. If that happens, that parent would naturally want to modify the custody agreement. An experienced and compassionate Texas family lawyer can explain more about how you can protect your child’s safety and well-being after your custody arrangement is already in place.

What Happens When Domestic Violence Emerges After Divorce?

Sometimes the conditions spouses agree to in their divorce seem suitable at the time, but when changes occur, they may feel the need to modify them. For example, if one spouse was earning a significant amount of money and agreed to a generous alimony package but then got laid off and can no longer afford it, the spousal maintenance agreement can be modified. 

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 Posted on February 26, 2025 in Criminal Law

People often think that if they are in a car owned by someone else and drugs are found, they cannot be penalized since it is not their car. However, that is not the case in Texas, where police can charge anyone inside the car with drug possession. This even includes passengers who do not own the car or the drugs. Facing charges for someone else’s drugs in someone else’s car can be extremely confusing and frustrating, but a qualified Dallas, TX criminal defense lawyer can review the case and protect your rights.

What Is Considered Drug Possession in Texas?

According to Texas law, drug possession is when you have control over an illegal substance. There are two main types of possession, and they are described below.

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 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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