coronavirus texas
The world is currently being taken over by a pandemic known as the novel coronavirus, also known as Covid-19. After a few months, the virus has spread practically all over the world. People are scrambling, trying to figure out how to deal with this new and never-before-seen type of coronavirus. While scientists are still trying to find a cure for the virus, we should not panic. There are still ways to protect yourself from the virus and avoid contracting it. The Current Situation in Texas and US As of March 14, the number of coronavirus cases in the US has gone up to 2,900 with an estimated 59 deaths. There have been over 30 confirmed cases in the state of Texas, with about 50 more pending tests from Texas citizens. It is because of this that the governor has decided to declare a state of disaster. What Can You Do? While the statistics do seem pretty scary, one shouldn’t just go scrambling about in a blind panic. Yes, the virus is very infectious and can spread, but there are still some things you can do. The first thing you should do is know what you’re dealing with. Not much is known about it since it is new, but what is definitely known is that the virus has a predilection for those who are immunocompromised as well as the more elderly individuals in the population. These two populations are at higher risk of acquiring the virus. But whether you are old or young, healthy or not, you should all exercise the same caution.  Maintain Proper Hygiene One of the most basic ways to avoid getting the virus is to maintain proper hygiene. That includes washing your hands properly, and health agencies all over the world cannot stress the importance of this […]

Protecting Your Family from COVID-19

potential mistakes
For some people, going through a divorce can be very difficult. Even if you’ve accepted the fact that you’re getting a divorce, that doesn’t mean that it won’t be difficult for you to deal with it. But as difficult as it may be, there are still some things you can do about it so that it doesn’t become harder than it already is. After all, the way you handle it is something you can control. By focusing on what’s within your control, you can at least do something to make things easier for yourself. Control Your Emotions Divorces can be very emotionally stressful to experience. This is especially true if there is bad blood between both spouses while the divorce takes place. It can be quite easy to lose control of what you might say or do when things get heated. But, as much as it might seem like a good idea to let loose, it really isn’t. Any negative outburst might just make things worse for you, and can also negatively impact your divorce proceedings. So, in order to avoid this from happening, it’s best that you just keep your emotions under control. Don’t Be Unreasonable In relation to keeping your emotions under control, you also have to make sure you don’t make the mistake of becoming unreasonable throughout your divorce and even after. Even if you might not like certain aspects of your divorce, like having to give up certain properties to your soon-to-be ex-spouse or you feel like they don’t deserve any support from you, you still have to follow what your divorce decree says. There’s really not much you can do about what the decree says. The best thing you can do is just follow it. By doing so, you at least avoid any unwanted trouble. […]

Potential Mistakes to Avoid a Bad Divorce in Texas   Recently updated !

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parenting to children
As a parent, you’d always want the best for your children. And while it might not be easy to give them the best, it might be more difficult to do so if you’re going through a divorce. After all, divorce can put a lot of unwanted stress and tension in you and your family. It can definitely affect the way you go about things. Despite this, there are still some ways you can be a good parent to your children amidst a divorce. Keep Your Children in Mind Your divorce will not only affect your life, but also the lives of your children. That’s why you should remember to keep your children in mind when you make decisions even after your divorce. Whether it has to do with custody, their schooling, or where they’ll stay, your children will be affected. Make sure to keep your children’s best interests in mind. The divorce might be difficult for your children to adjust to. So the best thing you can do to help them through it is to help them adjust. Be Civil with Your Ex-Spouse If you want to set a good example for your children, be civil with your ex-spouse. If you two ended things amicably, then there’s definitely no difficulty in that. If things just ended on terrible terms, then that’ll definitely be a challenge. But, whatever the circumstance, remember that however you choose to deal with your ex-spouse will reflect you. So, whenever you deal with your spouse or even speak about them, remember to always be reasonable and to keep a cool head. Not only does that set a good example for your kids when dealing with these things, but it also helps you learn how to just stay calm and to not let any negative feelings towards […]

Being a Parent to Your Children Amidst a Divorce   Recently updated !

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school
Some divorce cases are fortunately finalized in summer where you can still have ample time to make the transition before the school year starts. However, no matter how much time you have set aside for the transition and preparation for the new school year, it can still be challenging and tough for everyone, especially the kids. This is where you can really see how your family will handle the changes brought about by the divorce in Texas. The kids will have to be passed from one parent to the other and it will be difficult for them to adjust to that setup especially with schoolwork threatening to eat them alive. It is also likely that they will be suffering from emotional scars brought about by the divorce. You will have to help them cope as you cope with the changes yourself. Tips for Dealing with the New School Year after Your Divorce in Texas There are many ways of successfully dealing with the post-divorce changes, and it is especially important to try and do so, since the children will be looking up to you for guidance and support with their own problems and emotions in a very difficult time period. Here are some tips that you can use to ensure that your kids’ school year after your divorce in Texas can still have a sense of normalcy to it: 1. Communicate With Your Ex After Your Divorce in Texas You might think that the finalization of your divorce in Texas means cutting off all ties with your ex-spouse but if you have children, it just isn’t the case. It would be best for your children if you communicate even just for the school needs, activities, extra-curricular activities and homework of your kids. The new school year will be busy. There will […]

Dealing with the New School Year After Your Divorce in Texas   Recently updated !

This entry was posted in Child Custody Divorce Parenting on by
gestational agreements
Each divorce case is unique to the people involved in it. Divorces may sometimes become messy and rough, especially if there are disagreements or disputes over certain matters, like child custody, asset valuation, property division, alimony, etc., that you and your spouse cannot settle on. This is where expert witnesses come in handy – smoothing over the wrinkles in an otherwise crumpled up separation.  Expert witnesses are people who have specialized knowledge and experience in a specific field, one that they have trained in over a period of time. They can provide factual-based evidences and reliable opinions that goes beyond what an average person can offer. However, their expertise comes at a high price, so use them wisely. Forensic Accountant Financial planners, CPAs or actuaries are usually employed to settle financial disputes such as alimony or property division in a divorce case. They can handle investigations on allegedly hidden assets, track down separate property funds, or qualify assets that are not divisible under the Texas law.  Custody Evaluator Therapist, family counselor, or custody evaluators help settle child custody disagreements. These are experts in child development and can offer opinions on what can benefit the child more. Usually, they conduct individual and group interviews with the child and family members to garner a holistic analysis of the family’s life, especially if there are accounts of abuse or abandonment. Asset Appraiser There are different types of appraisers in divorce cases. For instance, a real estate appraiser can handle property valuations. Business appraisers, on the other hand, can put a monetary value on one spouse’s business. There are also appraisers that can expertly give value to assets such as art collections, jewels, and other prized possessions.  Medical Expert When there are health issues that come to light, a medical expert’s opinion comes highly […]

The Different Expert Witnesses in a Texas Divorce Case   Recently updated !

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Marriage helps in reducing the tax burden for husbands and wives who jointly file their taxes. Depending on their incomes, there is a way to avoid the known marriage “penalties.” If there is a substantial difference in the salaries of the spouses who are both taxpayers, the spouse paying for the lower tax can pull the spouse paying higher tax down into a much lower bracket than if the latter were to file taxes separately. This reduces the spouses’ overall taxes. Below are some tax advantages of married couples in Texas. 1. The spouses might be the tax shelter of each other The spouse who uses money can’t take advantage of some deductions. These deductions include those with regard to the house. However, the spouse who makes money can use the loss and consider it as a tax write-off.  2. The nonpaying spouse can have an Individual Retirement Account A spouse who is not working may contribute to an individual retirement account (IRA). The limit at which the benefits of the IRA are phased out, on the basis of income, is higher for married couples than for single people. Someone who could not pay into an IRA when they were single can utilize the joint income to fund an IRA and possibly save thousands of dollars for retirement while receiving tax benefits that are substantial. 3. Couples may “benefit-shop” If benefit packages are given to both spouses from their respective jobs, they can choose from the two plans the one that has the most valuable benefits. The right combination of benefits from the plans can increase the tax savings of couples in a lot of ways. For example, if the couple has children who are dependent, then both of them can find the use of the benefit plans like dependent […]

Are there Tax Advantages When You Get Married in Texas?   Recently updated !

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illegitimate child
There are children all over the world that were born in less than ideal situations. These children do not have control over their circumstances, but are often subject to a level of discrimination or difficulty. Fortunately, the law in Texas offers degrees of protection. History The state of Texas did not provide inheritance rights for illegitimate children until 1991. That was the time when the Texas Supreme Court stated that the statutes that excluded illegitimate children from this right was unconstitutional, taking its cue from the United Supreme Court’s ruling. The ruling stated that depriving the rights of illegitimate children were a violation of the Constitution, specifically the equal protection clause.  The ruling stated that illegitimacy, like race or country of origin is beyond a citizen’s control. It is also not an indicator of his/her capacity to participate and contribute to society. Thus, using it as a basis for exclusion is a violation of the equal protection clause. Texas Probate Code  In accordance with that principle, the Texas Probate Code now states that illegitimate children can have the same inheritance from their parents as those of the legitimate children, under certain conditions. The key here is establishing paternity. There are many methods wherein a father can voluntarily declare that he is the father of a child. The most obvious way is through DNA testing, but he can also execute a voluntary statement of paternity in accordance with the Family Code or he can also legally adopt the child. The Probate Court also acknowledges consent forms signed by the father in cases of assisted reproduction, like in-vitro fertilization. It is also applicable to legitimate gestational agreements, provided the father is adjudicated to be the father. Once paternity is established, the child will gain inheritance rights as those with legitimate children.  In […]

Inheritance Rights of Illegitimate Children in Texas   Recently updated !

This entry was posted in Community Property Father's Rights General Information on by
free range parenting
In an age where ideas can get really out-of-the box and radically different, it’s very hard to question if some of these ideas actually make sense or are just plain silly. And while sometimes these new ideas may actually be sound, there is a lot of room for misunderstanding and a need for people to adjust to it. This can apply to almost everything, even parenting. One perfect example would be the concept of “free-range parenting”. Free-Range Parenting No, it has nothing to do with letting your children just roam free in a pasture. But it does have to do with allowing your children to have a little more freedom to do things. By adopting this kind of parenting style, you allow your child to learn how to be a little more independent. This can allow them to make mistakes and learning on their own. This doesn’t mean that you leave them all on their own, though with absolutely no supervision. You just watch over them a little less, the opposite of what a “helicopter parent” would do.  Is It Legal? Free-range parenting is a rather new idea and its legality is still being discussed by each state. Since the parenting style allows you to give your kids more control and pushes for them to be independent, there are some instances where what you may do may be seen as neglect or putting your child in danger. One such example would be allowing your child to go to school and back on their own. States without and laws on free-range parenting such as Texas may see something like this as neglect on the part of the parents. And while this may not have been your intention, it may be hard to argue. It would be best to adjust your free-range […]

Can I Be A Free-Range Parent in Texas?   Recently updated !

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estate planning
Life can be very unpredictable. For married couples, planning your estate can be wise. It’s not being pessimistic, it’s being smart. Estate Planning Estate planning is planning out how things will be sorted out in the event that you die or become indisposed. It’s pretty much like making your will with a number of extra details. It usually covers things like who inherits what, who gets special powers of attorney, details of certain documents, and accounts. It is much like a contingency plan. The purpose is to help your loved ones have an easier time going about things during a misfortune. Considering Divorce While many estate plans look at what to do if you were to pass away or become indisposed, they do not account for the event of a divorce. What happens then? Usually, any provisions for your spouse end up becoming void. But you are allowed to change your estate plan if ever you are in the process of getting a divorce. If you did consider a divorce, though, the provisions you made will then be followed. What to Do? Well, one thing that you can do is have someone like an estate planner help you through it. That way, any and all technicalities can get addressed and sorted out. Remember to also keep in mind who you want to keep as your life insurance beneficiaries. During a divorce, you can choose whether or not to keep your spouse and your children as health insurance dependents. If it’s also needed, you can also make a provision for child support and other financial support. While the thought of getting divorced might seem farfetched to you, it would still be good to have an idea of what to do for these kinds of things. At least, if ever you find […]

Estate Planning and Divorce

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