Clients regularly ask us what they can do to prepare for a divorce before it’s filed. Of course some of that varies by situation and we will be happy to give you advice tailored to your situation, but there are some basic steps most people should take and surprisingly these steps go a long way toward improving marriages. Understand your Financial Situation Often there are big disparities in basic understanding about a couple’s budget, debt, and assets. One spouse may be nearly clueless how much is being saved for retirement, how much debt exists, how much money it takes to run the … [Read more...]
Insurance Denials Skyrocket after TX Court Ruling
The 2011 Texas Supreme Court ruling, Texas Mutual vs. Ruttiger, states that injured workers no longer can seek damages against insurance companies who deny claims "in bad faith." Since this ruling, denials to workers comp claims have skyrocketed while claimants' efforts in desputing denials has fallen to a success rate of less than 30%. Attempts in the Texas State Legislature to amend this decision have died in committee. State Senator Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, proposed legislation that would have nullified the court decision because she feared that denials would become standard … [Read more...]
Deion and Pilar Sanders’ Divorce Illustrates the High Price of Animosity and the Great Deal we get through Settlement
Several sources have reported that Deion Sanders has been ordered to pay over $10,500 in child support and $3,500 mortgage payments. The shocking part is that he’s been ordered to pay over a quarter million in attorney fees incurred just since April 30, 2012. In three weeks of attorney fees these parties blew what most of my clients will not earn in a year. There has, perhaps, never been a clearer example of the high price of contempt and animosity in a family law case. If you do the math, Deion could pay support for his children for 18 months at the rate his wife’s … [Read more...]
Dr. Kevin Karlson Writes About the Effects of Family Violence on Victims and Litigation
This is a great article by Dr. Kevin Karlson about the effects of family violence on the victim’s cognitive health, and what that means for a family law case. If you have been the victim of family violence, call the police and get safe. If they won’t help, call me and I will do everything I can to get you a protective order. Remember, in Texas the courts cannot charge a protective order applicant with any fees, and attorney fees are often recoverable from the losing party. If you are in serious danger I want to help, or at least refer you to organizations like Friends … [Read more...]
We Should All be Grateful for No-Fault Divorce
Here in Texas, when we go before the court to prove up a divorce I merely ask my clients, “Has your marriage become insupportable because of discord or conflict that destroys the legitimate ends of the marriage relationship?” My client answers “Yes.” Then I ask, “Is there any reasonable expectation of reconciliation?” And my client answers, “No.” Apparently it’s not that simple everywhere. According to a New York Times Article entitled “Tuna Again? In Fault-Finding Britain, It’s a Cause for Divorce” By Sarah Lyall, Published: April 7, 2012, our British common law … [Read more...]
Child Custody Tracking Software and Custody X Change
**UPDATE 04/06/2012: Ben Coltrin, the Developer of Custody X Change, contacted me by email to ask questions about this review and improve his product. Its great to hear from a legal software developer who’s interested in improving the product even after its enjoyed some success. I’ll be writing a further review of this product in the coming weeks.** As clients prepare to deal with a child custody issue we often advise them to keep a journal of their interactions with the other parent and the child. Its often helpful to have a record of possession and the typical conflicts … [Read more...]