Adopting a Child? Here are 4 Tips for a Smoother Process

Adopting a child is one of the most joy-filled experiences one can have. Whether you are adopting a new child you’ve never met, or you want to complete a step-parent adoption to help solidify your family, it is a beautiful moment that you will never forget. Unfortunately, however, adoptions are a surprisingly complicated legal process. Any mistakes can result in heartbreaking delays or other issues. The following Read More

The Basics of Divorce in the Military

Whether you are an active duty military member or the spouse of an active duty military member, your life will be very different than what you would experience as a civilian. Being in the military really impacts just about every area of your life. If you are getting a divorce, or think that you may be in the future, it is important to understand how a military divorce is going to be different than what a civilian Read More

5 Things to Know About Disability Discrimination in Texas

In the state of Texas, there are multiple laws and regulations in place that are designed to help ensure employers treat those with disabilities fairly. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is the main federal set of laws that applies to these situations, but Texas Labor Code Chapter 21 also applies to this topic. If you are an employer in Texas, or an employee with a disability, becoming familiar with these Read More

What Happens if You Die Without a Will in Texas?

Everyone knows that it is important to have a Will in place, yet about 50% of people in the U.S. still haven’t even taken this first basic step in estate planning. Understanding what will happen if you die without a Will in place in the state of Texas might just be the motivation you need to take care of this important task. The following are some of the most common things that your estate and your loved ones will Read More

Getting Divorced? Here Are 5 Ways to Break the News to Your Kids

Getting a divorce can be terribly difficult on any couple. When there are children involved, however, it can be even harder on them. Once you are 100% sure that a divorce is going to take place, you need to figure out how you will break the news to the kids. While this is certainly not going to be an easy task, it is important to do it right since you only get one shot. Depending on your situation, the following five Read More

Understanding Texas Whistleblowers and the False Claims Act

If you become aware of fraud or other illegal activity at your place of work and you want to report what’s going on internally, it is important to be aware of all your rights. It is illegal for your employer to punish you for blowing the whistle on unlawful acts that you have observed over the course of its business. If you believe that you have been fired, demoted, or otherwise punished for this type of thing, you Read More

Estate Planning 101: A Guide to the “in terrorem” Clause

An in terrorem clause is a provision that is put into wills and certain other documents to attempt to reduce the risk of someone challenging it in court. The term comes from the Latin for ‘In Fear” because these clauses can ‘scare off’ anyone who is thinking about filing a challenge against the contract in court. While most wills and other estate planning documents won’t include this type of clause, it is important Read More

Texas Divorce: Mediation vs. Litigation

Going through a divorce is never an easy process emotionally or legally. Doing everything you can to handle it properly, however, will help set you up to emerge from the divorce in as strong a position as possible. In Texas, most divorces are either handled through mediation or litigation. Learning about the pros and cons of each of these options can help you to determine which one will most likely yield the best Read More

Texas Estate Planning: Your Role as an Executor to an Estate

If you have been named the executor of an estate for a loved one, it can be overwhelming, especially if it is not something you’ve done in the past. In the state of Texas, those who are named as executor of an estate will have to go through a number of steps, and will have a lot of responsibilities that they are legally obligated to fulfill. Taking some time to learn about your role, and what to expect, can help Read More

5 Factors Texas Courts Consider When Making a Decision on Spousal Support

When getting a divorce, many people wonder whether spousal support (a.k.a. alimony) will be considered in their case. While spousal support is much less common than it once was, it is still an option that Texas courts can consider, so it is important to know what types of things they will look at when determining whether or not it should be awarded. The following five factors will be used in making this Read More