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...]
How to Reduce the Cost of a Divorce
One major concern almost all people have when they decide to divorce is how much the divorce will cost. They know they will be dividing their assets and using the same income to support two households instead of one, and finances are always on their mind. At Springer & Lyle, we strive to help spouses keep the cost of divorce to a minimum. There are a few things you and your spouse can do that can reduce the cost of divorce. Educate yourself about the divorce process in Texas. Learn as much as possible about divorce laws, how the process works in general, and the different divorce … [Read more...]
Do I Have to Hire an Attorney to Probate a Will?
In Denton County and most Texas counties, if you have been named the executor of an estate, you will need to be represented by an attorney in probate court. There may be some exceptions, such as if you are the sole heir and there are no debts, but in all other situations, you must be represented by an attorney licensed in the State of Texas. Why an Attorney is Required to Probate a Will Only attorneys are licensed to represent others in court. According to the Denton County Probate Court, “Generally, only an attorney licensed in the State of Texas may … [Read more...]
Identifying the Parties at Fault in a Truck Accident Case
Learning how an accident occurred and who caused the wreck is the first step in deciding who to include in a personal injury lawsuit. This is a complicated process that requires an experienced attorney where a truck accident is concerned. The companies and firms involved in the transport of goods via 18-wheeler can be numerous, and often, more than one party may have been negligent in causing or contributing to an 18-wheeler accident. Potentially liable parties can include: Truck Drivers: We have handled cases in which drivers have operated 18 wheeler trucks for long hours and were … [Read more...]
What To Do If You Are Hit By a Drunk Driver
Each time you get on the road, you take care to follow the traffic rules and regulations. Unfortunately, there are others who do not abide by the same rules as you, so there is always a risk of being involved in a car accident. All too often there are people who endanger all of those who cross their path by drinking and driving. When a drunk driver makes the decision to get behind the wheel of their car, they are putting themselves and the lives of all those they come in contact with at risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drunk driving kills one person every … [Read more...]
Do I Need an Attorney for a Texas Divorce?
Every Texas county has its own process for people to get divorced without an attorney. For somebody in a short marriage with no children, no real estate and no investments, the process might operate in their best interests and save them some money. For somebody in a longer marriage with children, jobs and investments, the benefits of having an attorney more than pay for themselves. Texas is a community property state. Any income earned or acquired by either party during the course of the marriage is community property and equally owned. That’s a legal … [Read more...]
What’s Title Insurance and Why Are We Required to Have It?
Title insurance operates to protect a person’s loss of their interest in real estate because of defects in the title. So what is a defect in a title? It is a problem with title to your property that could be caused by a lien, mortgage or judgment. It can also be an adverse claim of record like a boundary line dispute or adverse possession. These defects could prevent you from buyer, selling or refinancing your property. Whatever the circumstances of a real property transaction, you want an experienced real estate attorney from Springer & Lyle to protect your interests in the deal. When … [Read more...]
Transvaginal Mesh Litigation
Transvaginal mesh has become a nightmare for thousands of women who have suffered severe adverse effects involving erosion and migration of the mesh along with perforation of organs from it. Surgical mesh was designed over 60 years ago for repairing hernias. It’s a woven material made of synthetic or biological materials that usually comes in a prepackaged kit along with tools to aid in the surgical procedure. Because mesh was widely successful in the treatment of hernias, surgeons began using it in other parts of the body that needed support. About 20 years later they began inserting it … [Read more...]
Texas Supreme Court Ends Bad Faith Claims for Workers
Texas Workers Compensation claimants took a big hit Friday when the Texas Supreme Court handed down a 5-4 decision in Texas Mutual Insurance Co. v. Timothy J. Ruttiger. The Court held that Workers Comp claimants cannot seek damages for bad faith denials of claims outside the administrative Workers Comp regulatory framework. Justice Willett’s concurring opinion writes: "The continued existence of bad-faith claims will subvert the Legislature’s meticulous soup-to-nuts system, one augmented by an immense regulatory and adjudicatory framework that, taken together, now regulates virtually … [Read more...]
Victory for Big Pharma: Texas Adopts “Learned Intermediary” Rule
Big Pharma had a major victory on June 8th, when the Texas Supreme Court handed down its ruling in Centocor, Inc. v. Hamilton. The Court held that "When a drug manufacturer properly warns a prescribing physician of the dangerous propensities of its product, the manufacturer is excused from warning each patient who receives the drug. The doctor stands as a learned intermediary between the manufacturer and the ultimate consumer." Further, "A prescription drug manufacturer fulfills its duty to warn end users of its product’s risks by providing adequate warnings to the intermediaries who … [Read more...]
