Family and Criminal Law Blog

Why do divorce filings tend to spike in the summertime?

Summertime is typically thought of as a carefree season to swim, barbeque, and soak in the sun. However, summer is also associated with a little know phenomenon—a divorce spike. During the summer months, children are out of school and many families will travel. For some couples, these added stressors might be the push that ultimately leads to divorce. Our Read more . . .

Nationwide, 85 million families own a pet, according to a recent National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA). Pets are an important part of the family for many pet owners, offering unconditional love and companionship. Few pet owners have likely stopped to consider what might happen to their pet if they split or divorce from their human partner.
Read more . . .

Who will continue to run our business during a divorce?

Currently, Texas is considered the number one state to start a small business, according to a study by WalletHub. With so many businesses flocking to the state, it is the sad reality that some of these business owners will go through a divorce. Any divorce can be complex, but divorces involving a business will come with a myriad of important issues to address. Our Read more . . .

Mail fraud is one of the most commonly charged federal crimes. This is due to the fact that it is so broadly applicable. The penalties that await those convicted of mail fraud are severe. Large fines and up to 20-years imprisonment may be imposed. If the mail fraud involved benefits related to a presidentially declared major disaster or emergency or if it affected a financial institution, enhanced penalties may be applied.
Read more . . .

Being a parent is full of joys and challenges. The unique role of a stepparent can present its own unique joys and challenges. A stepparent can fill an important and special role in the life of a child. It is only natural for a stepparent who has developed a bond with a stepchild to want to take the relationship a step further and have legal parental status regarding the stepchild. The stepparent

Read more . . .

What is the Castle Doctrine and when might it apply in a Texas criminal case?

Texas’ so-called Castle Doctrine has become a topic of interest for people across the country due to the widely followed criminal case against Amber Guyger. Former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger was charged with murder after shooting unarmed Botham Jean in his apartment in 2018. At trial, off-duty police officer Guyger claimed that at the time of the shooting, she believed she was in her own apartment.
Read more . . .

In the State of Texas, burglary is the unlawful entering or remaining in a public or private structure with the intent to commit a felony, theft, or assault inside. To be convicted of burglary, it must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt that there was not only an unlawful entry, but that the defendant also had the intent to commit a felony, theft, or assault once inside the structure.

While some states have a separate criminal charge for burglaries that occur at a home or residence, also referred to as a “burglary of a habitation” or “home invasion,” Texas includes this in a more generalized “burglary” charge. It is classified as a second-degree felony unless the perpetrator of the burglary entered the home with the intention to commit a felony other than felony theft. In this case, the crime would be considered to be a first-degree felony.
Read more . . .

How might divorce in your Golden Years impact your retirement?

Divorce rates nationally are on the decline, with the exception of one group—Americans over the age of 50. Research conducted by the National Center for Family and Marriage Research reveals that the divorce rate among retirees has doubled over the past 20 years. While divorce is life changing for any age group, it can inflict financial ruin for retirees. Retired couples who were prepared for retirement will now find themselves with half the capital that they once had. Given the immense potential repercussions of a so-called gray divorce, it is essential for older Americans who are contemplating divorce to Read more . . .

Is your spouse concealing assets?

Texas law requires that divorcing spouses disclose all relevant information regarding their assets, which includes any financial accounts, retirement assets, property, and the like. Assets that a spouse attempts to purposely conceal or transfer in order for the other spouse to be unable to claim them are called hidden assets. Spouses who suspect their soon to be ex may be concealing assets will need to take action to uncover these assets so that they receive the property to which they are legally entitled. OurRead more . . .

Why might I choose to file for divorce based on a fault ground?

Forty years ago, the first no-fault divorce was granted in California. Prior to this time, couples seeking a divorce were required to list a valid ground for divorce, which often included adultery, abandonment, and cruelty. If one of these grounds did not exist in the marriage, but the spouses nonetheless wanted a divorce, they were forced to fabricate a grounds for divorce. Recognizing a need for more honest and efficient divorces, California, and soon after every state in the union except for New York, adopted a version of no-fault divorce.

Most couples in Texas looking to file for divorce today will file for a no-fault divorce, in which the parties will list that the marriage cannot continue because the spouses can no longer get along in the marriage and there is no chance of reconciliation.
Read more . . .

What is the process to complete a domestic adoption in the state of Texas?

Adoption can be a wonderful process, offering the adopted child a much-needed home while fulfilling the desire of the adopting parents to welcome a new child into their home. If you are considering adoption, one of the first steps in the process will be deciding what type of adoption you wish to pursue. There are three main types of adoption: domestic infant adoption, international adoption, and foster care adoption. Each type of adoption varies in the process, time to completion, and cost. Below, our Read more . . .