Couples who are considering a divorce and who have minor children often wonder if they should stay together “for the sake of the kids” and wait until the children are grown to divorce. There are pros and cons to both views. Pros of Waiting Until the Children Are Grown There are some advantages to waiting until the children are grown. The main ones are that you will avoid arguing about child custody and child support issues. You will not have to decide: If you and your spouse are compatible, and these issues are important to you, it may be in your best interest and the best … [Read more...]
What Can I Do If I Am In A Car Accident With No Insurance?
Texas law requires all drivers to carry proof of insurance. If caught driving without your proof of insurance, you will be subject to civil penalties. If you are in a car accident with no insurance, even if you were not at fault, you will likely find the other driver's insurer tries to prove you were. At Springer & Lyle, we can help you collect for your damages even if you did not have car insurance. Consequences of Being in an Accident Without Insurance If you are in a car accident and have no insurance, there are hefty consequences even if you are not at fault. Some consequences … [Read more...]
How Often Should I Review and Update My Will?
Everyone should draft a will, but once you have written your will, remember it is not carved in stone. When you are faced with life-changing events, you should review it to be sure it still reflects your wishes. Even if it seems that nothing has changed, you should still periodically review your will for the same reason: Does your will still do for you and your heirs what you want it to. Reviewing and Updating Your Will After Life Changes It is a good idea to review and update your will when you experience a major life change such as: Even if you do not experience any life … [Read more...]
Who Is At Fault When a Car Accident is Caused by Hydroplaning?
If you have been driving a car that is hydroplaning, you know how frightening that can be. You feel helpless and have no control over the car. At Springer & Lyle, we want to provide you more information so you can understand the causes of hydroplaning and what to do if you are in an accident caused by another car that was hydroplaning. What Causes Hydroplaning? Hydroplaning occurs on wet pavement when too much water gets between the vehicle’s tires and the road. The tires lose traction and therefore lose contact with the road surface. The driver loses control of the car. Although … [Read more...]
Can I Modify My Divorce Settlement?
Texas law makes it clear that a final judgment concerning the division of community property cannot be modified. Other orders, such as those for child support, child visitation, and spousal support can be modified if there has been a change in circumstances since the original order, but the order dividing community property cannot be modified. Even if it is discovered that one asset was not divided, that is not considered cause to modify the final judgment. There is one narrow exception. If the judgment was based on “fraud on the community,” the court may revisit the property division and … [Read more...]
What If I Am Partly Responsible For An Accident?
In Texas, to collect damages for an accident, you must prove the other party or parties were at fault for causing the accident. This is not always as easy as it sounds. At Springer & Lyle, if you were in an accident, we will investigate the case and help you in proving fault. The party from whom you are trying to collect damages may claim that you were at least partially at fault. For example, if you were a pedestrian and hit by a car, and you claim the driver was negligent, the driver may allege you were also at fault because you were crossing in the middle of the road and not in a … [Read more...]
Personal Injury Claim: Settle or Go to Court
The process of collecting on your personal injury claim is stressful. There is a long wait for compensation along with the uncertainty of whether you will win your case at trial. Almost all personal injury claims end in settlement. At Springer & Lyle, we work with you to determine whether settlement or going to trial is in your best interest. There are pros and cons to accepting a settlement before trial. Only you, with the advice of your attorney, can make an informed decision that is best for your case. Pros of Settling Before Trial Cons of Settling There are not … [Read more...]
Personal Injury FAQ’s
If you were injured in any type of accident, you may be incurring medical expenses and losing wages due to being unable to work because of your injuries. You may wonder if you have a legal case and wonder what to do next. At Springer & Lyle, we answer some frequently asked questions about personal injury claims. Frequently Asked Questions How do I know if I have a case? Most personal injury attorneys offer a free consultation where they will review the circumstances of your accident, explain to you the law, and advise you whether you have a case and what the chances are for … [Read more...]
Divorce: Do I Need a Lawyer?
It is possible to get a divorce in Texas without the assistance of an attorney. The law does not require you to have an attorney, and there are many websites that offer, for a small fee, to walk you through the process. A better question is “Should I get a divorce without the help of a lawyer?” There are some circumstances where a do-it-yourself divorce works, and you and your ex-spouse can walk into your future and not look back. There are also some cases where one or both parties look back with regret when they realize what they lost due to their divorce without legal … [Read more...]
Do I Need a New Will After My Divorce?
One important part of your divorce settlement agreement should be making changes to your will. There are unfortunate consequences if you fail to do this. Drafting a New Will After the Divorce If you have named your spouse in your will as the beneficiary of most of your assets when you die, that is who will inherit your assets if you do not change your will at the time of your divorce. It won’t matter how long you have been divorced. If your will remains unchanged, your named beneficiary, your ex-spouse, will inherit under the terms of your will even if you have been divorced for … [Read more...]
