Family and Criminal Law Blog

Crimes fall into subcategories and sometimes multiple subcategories. There are felonies. There are misdemeanors. There are violent crimes. There are nonviolent crimes.
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Reaching the decision that divorce is the best choice for your family is one of the most difficult decisions you may ever have to make. What can feel even more difficult, however, is telling your children that you are getting a divorce. This is a critical conversation that can not only set the tone for how the family deals with the divorce process, but how your family handles post-divorce life.
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Are stocks purchased before the marriage part of community property if they gained in value?

Stocks are often one of the largest assets held by American couples today. The most recent Gallup poll reveals that about 55 percent of Americans own stock. A stock represents a percentage share in the ownership of a company. The value of a stock will typically increase as the business performs well, and may decrease on underperformance by the company. At times, employees of certain companies are given a stock option.
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Should potential exposure to coronavirus be grounds for a change in child custody orders?

As COVID-19 continues to infect hundreds of thousands of people nationwide, parents everywhere are grappling with difficult decisions when it comes to keeping their children safe. Parents are being forced to confront a new reality involving homeschooling, no playdates, and the constant fear of illness. For divorced parents, coronavirus is wreaking havoc on custody schedules and at times even spurring court battles. Our Read more . . .

Will self-isolating push some couples to divorce?

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, more couples are finding themselves spending a lot more time confined in the house together. Nationwide, the number of states issuing mandatory stay at home orders is increasing daily. On a federal level, the government is urging everyone to practice social distancing, which means avoiding gatherings of over ten people, working from home whenever possible, and staying six feet away from anyone not in your household. Families who have been exposed to the coronavirus are being told the entire household must remain inside for a 14-day quarantine to stop the spread of the dangerous virus.

Rarely have so many American families spent so much time indoors together.
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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 . . .