Family and Criminal Law Blog

How common are divorces in Texas?

Recently, insurance website QuoteWizard.com released a report that ranks the rates of divorce by state. Overall, divorces are on the decline nationally. Over the past ten years, divorce rates have dropped by 20 percent. Some states experienced sharp declines, while divorce rates actually increased in certain states.
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Is "Marriage Story" an accurate depiction of divorce in America?

The heart-wrenching drama “Marriage Story” captivated audiences nationwide. Nominated for six Oscars, with one win, “Marriage Story” tells the tale of two artists whose marriage crumbles. The couple files for divorce, with initial plans to end the marriage amicably. However, the divorce soon becomes acrimonious and a coast-to-coast custody battle emerges. The movie is both sad and sweet, with outstanding performances by both Adam Driver and Scarlett Johannsson.
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Is the new Tennessee bill in violation of the United States Constitution?

In a controversial move, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed a bill that allows adoption agencies to refuse to place adoptive children with same-sex parents. The law, which already took effect, gives adoption agencies who believe that same-sex households violate the agency’s written religious or moral beliefs. According to the governor and supporters of the bill, the purpose of the measure is to protect religious freedom. Now, adoption agencies with a religious focus can freely deny LGBTQ parents without fear of a lawsuit or loss of public funding. Many are questioning, however, is this bill legal on the federal level? Same-sex Read more . . .

How can smoking lead to inaccurate readings on a breathalyzer?

Worldwide, about one billion people are smokers, representing about 20 percent of the world’s population. For many occasional smokers, drinking and smoking go hand in hand. Breathalyzer tests have come under criticism in recent years from their potential inaccuracies. As more studies come out demonstrating that no two individuals metabolize alcohol the same, it is becoming apparent that the days of accepting breathalyzer test results as clear cut evidence of intoxication are over. Smoking has been found to be just one of many factors that could lead to inaccurate breathalyzer results.
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What are the benefits of decriminalizing marijuana in Texas?

In June of 2019, Texas lawmakers passed a bill allowing for the growth and sale of hemp. Several lawmakers emphasized to the public that the measure solely legalized hemp and did not represent a movement towards the legalization of marijuana. However, since the passage of the new hemp law, police officers across the state have struggled to distinguish marijuana from legal hemp.
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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.
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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.
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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

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.
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