tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-127516582024-03-16T11:51:27.061-07:00SEAN Y. PALMER'S TEXAS FAMILY LAW RESOURCEAn Exploration and Restatement of Texas Family LawSean Y. Palmer- Attorney/Mediatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028801344320920803noreply@blogger.comBlogger131125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12751658.post-42058084736996751012023-07-19T18:36:00.005-07:002023-07-19T18:41:08.903-07:00It's About Time: Enhancing Timely Relief in Divorce Litigation<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRPVU8Sh8RfMLCzbmP6XBdFi8MZEYgXZ0sTvvsuDRuuI8_yXTzmsdUsbFCfDW596WxtWCkjP7eWhQa6FOveEgoqPXwupzrlblDVR7Ud9at5ORI48qta42NyN_Sca_NZkNJqD1joRS_O0V6ZZ7MmkgdXYD_Zcvb-hEPe_eO8Wfb4Kh0BnCzkbtXQ/s1024/DALL%C2%B7E%202023-07-19%2020.07.29%20-%20an%20oil%20painting%20by%20Matisse%20of%20a%20married%20couple%20trying%20stop%20a%20timebomb%20made%20of%20sticks%20of%20dynamite%20and%20a%20large%20clock.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRPVU8Sh8RfMLCzbmP6XBdFi8MZEYgXZ0sTvvsuDRuuI8_yXTzmsdUsbFCfDW596WxtWCkjP7eWhQa6FOveEgoqPXwupzrlblDVR7Ud9at5ORI48qta42NyN_Sca_NZkNJqD1joRS_O0V6ZZ7MmkgdXYD_Zcvb-hEPe_eO8Wfb4Kh0BnCzkbtXQ/w243-h243/DALL%C2%B7E%202023-07-19%2020.07.29%20-%20an%20oil%20painting%20by%20Matisse%20of%20a%20married%20couple%20trying%20stop%20a%20timebomb%20made%20of%20sticks%20of%20dynamite%20and%20a%20large%20clock.png" width="243" /></a></div><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">A</span></b>s a Texas
attorney with two decades of experience exclusively in family law, I am always
on the lookout for things that can positively impact the lives of my clients as
they go through <br />the painful process of divorce.
And it's not often that I can find positive impact from the actions of
the Texas Legislature, but recently, the "Distinguished
Gentlepersons" up in Austin got something right. A small change to the Texas Family Code
caught my attention, and I believe it will greatly improve the timely relief of
temporary matters in divorce litigation. In this article, I will delve into the
details of this new provision and its implications for couples navigating the
challenging waters of divorce in Texas.<o:p></o:p><p></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">The New
Provision:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">With the
passage of Texas House Bill 2671, beginning September 1, 2023, the Texas Family
Code will now include § 105.001(a-1), which addresses Temporary Injunction and
Other Temporary Orders. This newly added subsection offers a solution to a
common problem faced by divorcing couples: the delay in obtaining temporary
relief due to referrals to mediation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">Explaining
the Change:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">Before this
change, when a court referred a divorce case to mediation and a motion for a
temporary order was pending, the initial hearing on that motion could be
postponed to a later date, leading to unnecessary delays in resolving urgent
matters. However, the new provision brings an essential safeguard into play.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">Under §
105.001(a-1), if the court, on its own motion, refers a suit for mediation
where a motion for a temporary order is pending, the court cannot postpone the
initial hearing on that motion beyond the 30th day after the original hearing
date was set. This means that once a motion for temporary relief is filed, the
court must address the matter and hold the initial hearing within 30 days.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">Enhancing
Timely Relief:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">The
implications of this change may not seem profound to most, but I believe it will mean the world of difference
to people who are suffering in untenable domestic situations that need quick
relief . Divorce cases often involve pressing issues such as child custody,
temporary support, and property matters. Couples require swift resolution to
these matters to maintain stability during the divorce process. By mandating an
initial hearing within 30 days of filing the motion, this new provision ensures
that temporary matters are addressed promptly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">Moreover, the
change promotes efficient case management and streamlines the divorce process
for both parties and the court. Timely resolution of temporary matters can
alleviate stress and uncertainty, allowing individuals to focus on moving
forward with their lives.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">The addition
of 105.001(a-1)) to the Texas Family Code marks a small but significant step
forward in enhancing timely relief of temporary matters in divorce litigation.
As a family law attorney, I believe this change will have a positive impact on
divorcing couples, offering them the assurance that urgent issues will be
addressed promptly. Moreover, the provision reflects a commitment to efficient
case management and the well-being of those navigating the complexities of
divorce.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
<br /><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">An Exploration and Restatment of the Texas Family Code </div>Sean Y. Palmer- Attorney/Mediatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028801344320920803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12751658.post-81457174964665514222023-07-13T07:57:00.001-07:002023-07-13T07:57:11.573-07:00Divorce Pitfalls for Small Business Owners<p> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">The prospect of getting a divorce can be daunting, and even more so if you own a small business. When a marriage ends and both parties own a business, it can be complicated to navigate the legal and financial aspects of a divorce. What are are the top considerations for small business owners facing divorce? </span></p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">Whether you are considering filing for divorce, or your spouse has already initiated the divorce process, there’s important considerations when a small business is part of the equation.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">If you're a business owner and one or both of you are seeking a divorce, there are some particular points of concern that you need to keep in mind. First and foremost is the value of the business itself. The court may order an appraisal of the business to determine what the fair market value is. This is so each party can receive an equitable share in the assets. If one of you was the sole owner of the business prior to marriage, the court may decide that ownership of the business isn’t subject to division but the increased value of the business is.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">Another point to consider is how much of your time and resources the divorce process will take up. Divorce can impact how much time and attention you can put into your business, as well as how smoothly operations run while the divorce is underway. It’s important to make sure that both parties understand their respective roles in the business during the divorce proceedings. If one or both spouses are also employed by the business, those roles need to be specified in order to ensure that everyone remains in compliance with any court orders that may be issued.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">If you are considering filing for divorce and are a small business owner, it’s important to seek professional counsel on how best to protect your rights and interests in the process.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">An Exploration and Restatment of the Texas Family Code </div>Sean Y. Palmer- Attorney/Mediatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028801344320920803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12751658.post-72102406292575398572021-02-20T11:45:00.002-08:002021-02-23T13:05:31.754-08:00Pets In a Texas Divorce<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/PzD4XpFKdzM" frameborder="0"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">An Exploration and Restatment of the Texas Family Code </div>Sean Y. Palmer- Attorney/Mediatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028801344320920803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12751658.post-31216379291453298322020-04-13T17:10:00.000-07:002020-04-13T20:14:34.035-07:00Is “Limited Scope” the Future of Legal Representation?Over the last decade, the demand for legal representation, particularly in the area of family law has increased. At the same time however, the costs to hire an attorney for full legal representation has increased as well. Finding free or reduced fee legal services has been nearly impossible for many. As profit margins have decreased for big law firms, their commitment to donating free services to people who cannot afford an attorney has wained. In addition, there are many “middle class” individuals who do not qualify for public assistance or other help in obtaining a free lawyer (called “pro bono”). <br />
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With limited options become ever more limited, many people have resorted to trying to “do it themselves” and be their own lawyer (called acting “pro se”). They know they must get out of a bad marriage or get court orders for their children. In desperation, they may look for legal forms they find for free online. However, many find that the old adage “you get what you pay for” holds especially true when it comes to legal services. People without any formal legal training are often bewildered by the process and the complex maze of documents. Forms are readily found online, but are they the <i>right </i>forms? And if they, there is a good chance they are outdated and are no longer adequate (if they ever where) in court, or are not proper in their jurisdiction. They become frustrated when the Courts will not (and cannot) provide them with answers to their legal matter. Turning to nationwide paid services such as Legal Zoom who prepare forms is often a frustrating exercise and a waste of money. There seems to be no good middle option for people who need just some assistance but cannot afford the $5K to $10K for initial retainers for full retainers, nor can they afford to send twice or three times that amount before their case is concluded when all aspects of their case is handled by an attorney.<br />
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Amidst this growing problem, a new breed of lawyer has emerged to answer the need. The day may have arrived for the “Limited Scope” attorney to help people gain fair access to our justice system.<br />
<br />
Limited scope legal services is a method of legal representation in which an attorney and client agree to limit the scope of the attorney’s involvement just to those specific areas in which the client needs the assistance of an experienced attorney. Other aspects of the case are left to the client to save the client money and give them more control.<br />
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Limited Scope legal services are employed as an attempt to lower costs for the client by reducing the amount of time the attorney spends- and therefore the amount the attorney bills- on a legal matter. <br />
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Do you think “Limited Scope Representation” is right for you? Find out the details of this unique legal alternative by getting our free infographic: “Top Four Ways You Can Save THOUSANDS on Your Divorce.” To order your free copy, visit us at to <a href="http://www.thepalmerlawfirm.com/top-four.html">www.thepalmerlawfirm.com/top-four.html</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">An Exploration and Restatment of the Texas Family Code </div>Sean Y. Palmer- Attorney/Mediatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028801344320920803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12751658.post-18103505084725769702020-03-16T21:25:00.004-07:002020-03-16T21:26:40.582-07:00If School Is Closed For Weeks or Months Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Crisis, How Does That Affect My Custody Schedule?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-853_AZ0H1_w/XnBQv5jZ63I/AAAAAAAAAt8/RkkTDSSqbtIQj_C2nuM9oKS08Q1HR-UmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Virus%2BSchool%2BClosing%2BSchedule.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-853_AZ0H1_w/XnBQv5jZ63I/AAAAAAAAAt8/RkkTDSSqbtIQj_C2nuM9oKS08Q1HR-UmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Virus%2BSchool%2BClosing%2BSchedule.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In Texas,
most possession schedules are organized around the school schedule of the
child. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spring break, teacher work days
and other periods of changes of possession are often incorporated into the custody
orders for children. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The order to either
surrender or return on certain dates is determined by the school schedule of the
child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In most cases this means the published
calendar of the school district in which the child is enrolled. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But with schools shut down for the Coronavirus
Crisis for weeks and possibly months, how does that affect the possession times
for the children?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The first step
to answering this question is to look is the existing possession order you have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The language of the order should be reviewed
carefully to understand what it was intended to do in normal times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Second, you need to see if there are any special
clauses in the order that may cover special circumstances such as when the child
needs to stay home because they are sick. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Assuming
there are no special provisions covering emergency situations and the order is
basically aligned with the Standard Possession Order, the general rule is that possession
times, exchanges, and the surrender and return dates and times should continue
to follow the school district calendar AS IF the child was still in school and
the normal calendar was being followed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There are
two rationales for this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Firstly, following
the calendar AS IF the child was enrolled this is the standard practice that is
followed for children who have not yet attained school age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Standard possession times for children over 3
but who are not yet in school uniformly follow the dates and times of the school
and district calendar for AS IF the child was attending school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This gives certainty to order and avoids
confusion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Secondly,
the courts in recent days have issued strongly worded standing orders to all
attorneys and their clients that parents who had their children over the spring
break must <u>immediately</u> return the children as if school had resumed on
the normal day (March 16).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a
very clear signal that the Court will insist that custody orders must continue
to follow the language of the order and follow the published district and
school calendars for the purposes of exchange even if the children are not actually
following that schedule because of emergency changes related to the COVID-19
outbreak.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In fact the
Galveston County family courts standing order issued on March 16, 2020 was
particularly blunt when it declared:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“If your family
has a COURT ORDER that provides spring break possession for the non-custodial
parent, that non-custodial parent must return the children AS IF school resumed
on Monday, March 16, 2020.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For Parents
who have NOT returned the children by Monday, March 16, 2020: YOU MUST RETURN
THE CHILDREN IMMEDIATELY OR YOU WILL BE FOUND IN CONTEMPT OF COURT AND WILL BE
FINED AND SANCTIONED.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So it is clear
that if parties want to avoid trouble with the courts, they need to stick with the
schedule AS IF school was going on normally.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">However, parties
may want to come up with a stop-gap agreement to address changes for the best
interest of the child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is allowed
as long as the parties agree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also it is
still unclear how things will be handled if the school shut down continues into
the summer possession time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you are
stumped on what this schedule would look like or if you want to negotiate a new
schedule with the other parent, this is were an attorney or even mediator can
step in to help you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the end, parents
must keep a cool head and either stick with the order they have or negotiate
what is in the best interest of your children and makes most sense for
everyone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you have
any questions about how recent events may affect your custody order, please contact
us at The Palmer Law Firm. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We practice in
Harris and Galveston counties, Texas. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With
our mediation experience we can help parties come to agreements that work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With our litigation experience we can help
you fight for the best options for your child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We encourage you to schedule a free call with one of our family lawyers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have leveraged technology with our online
client portal, electronic forms and e-signature document capacities to minimize
your need to make trips from your home to advance your legal issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also offer on-line virtual mediation
session to help you come to an agreement, even when apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can book your free Virtual Meeting by visiting our website at www.thepalmerlawfirm.com or calling us at 832-819-3529.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">An Exploration and Restatment of the Texas Family Code </div>Sean Y. Palmer- Attorney/Mediatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028801344320920803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12751658.post-2116028099210678752020-03-15T01:50:00.004-07:002020-03-15T01:55:40.932-07:00Child Custody and The COVID-19 Coronavirus Crisis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a9EIY0QcENk/Xm3r-sXVV7I/AAAAAAAAAtw/BbOG5xo9nNo1jkq2MjE6ltG_giH3kHeKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Stop%2BVisits%2BBecause%2Bof%2BCoronavirus.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a9EIY0QcENk/Xm3r-sXVV7I/AAAAAAAAAtw/BbOG5xo9nNo1jkq2MjE6ltG_giH3kHeKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Stop%2BVisits%2BBecause%2Bof%2BCoronavirus.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We are all in
a very stressful and fearful time with the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus changing
the way we live our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many people
have been sent home from jobs or limited in interacting in large groups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For our children, schools are closing and many
normal extracurricular activities have suddenly stopped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To stop the spread of this highly infectious
disease, we are being told to practice “social distancing”- staying away from other
people and especially larger groups.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But what
about families with custody orders?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
date there has been no clear message about how families should address this,
and for families who already find themselves in high conflict custody
arrangements, the strain will be tremendous and the path confusing. Should
periods of visitation with non-primary parents be discontinued along with other
“social distancing”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What will be the repercussions
if I keep my child from the other parent and how can I avoid them?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are some clear answers to these
questions:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t deny visitation to the other parent
unless you have a very good reason.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you are
the primary caregiver and the other parent has periodic visitation, you may be
tempted to deny the other parent their weekend visitation during this crisis out
of general fear that your child may become infected at the other parent’s house.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before you unilaterally disregard your
custody order, you should consider very carefully whether you have any real
reason to do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The consequences of
violating the custody order may be very real and land you in real trouble with
the courts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Harris and Galveston
County Judges take a dim view of people violating orders- even if the reasons
are well intentioned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Denying visits may
result in severe consequences for you and may give cause for a change of primary
custody to the other parent or even a jail sentence in some cases. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Communicate and find common ground for
decisions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Before you
decide on your own to deny visitation with the other parent, communicate with
the other parent about your fears and try to come to an agreement about temporary
modifications to the visitation schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You may find they share the same fears about the child being in your
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If your co-parenting has been high-conflict
up to this point, however, you may find this very difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you must put your best effort
forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Even if you
have had difficulty in communicating in the past, both parents should try to
put that aside (at least until this crisis is passed). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the best ways to handle the situation is
to adopt a business-like and professional attitude to deal with the issues at
hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try to be focused and avoid
emotional reactions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell the other
parent exactly what you want to talk about and stick to that only.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they try to bring up the past or get off
topic remind them of the urgency and importance of coming to agreements on how
to handle the visits during this crisis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You both may have different viewpoints of what is the best action to
take with regard to keeping your child healthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With so many conflicting messaging on social media and the mainstream news,
it is not surprising you both would have different ideas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most important thing is to be consistent between
the two parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This situation is like
no other and was very likely not conceived of when you made your custody
order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may be called upon to make
decisions that are outside the order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try to find a neutral and reliable source for a
tie-breaking resource if you both disagree on how to manage this crisis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try to agree on one source for
recommendations for your child’s safety and agree that you will both use that
source for co-parenting decisions that are not covered in your court order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may agree to follow the advice of the
child’s pediatrician for guidance. This is especially important if your child
is immunocompromised or has another underlying health condition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or you
could both agree to follow the latest recommendations found on the CDC’s
website or the Texas Health and Human Services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whatever source you decide on , it is important that you both avoid the
added conflict and stress of disagreement and you should find as much common ground
as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One good start in finding
common ground may be in that you both express your fears for your child and reaffirming
that you each love your child and have their best interest at heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think of creative solutions.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What
solutions could you come up with that would satisfy each of your concerns about
infection and health vs. the legitimate right and need of the child having
contact with both parents?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If infection
is a legitimate concern such as if one parent has been exposed to an infected individual,
is it possible to agree to temporarily have visits outdoors and agree to keep
the recommended distance from the child- perhaps playing catch, kickball or
similar activity?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This may sound
outlandish in different times, but these are unusual circumstances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can the parent have Facetime (or increased
facetime).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you agree that the other
parent will have additional periods of time with the child to make up for time
lost during this crisis? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get an agreement in writing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Get the
agreement in writing and make sure each parent has a signed copy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Insist that each have it notarized if you
feel this is necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A signed agreement can be used in court to
defend yourself if the other parent claims you have unilaterally violated the
order.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you can’t come to an agreement, you must file
a modification request with the Court.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you legitimately
believe that child is at increased risk of infection if they are allowed visits
with the other parent and you can’t agree with the other parent on a
modification of the custody arrangement, then you must consider filing a Motion
to Modify the Parent-Child Relationship and request emergency temporary orders
to discontinue the visits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you don’t
do this, you run a high risk of being held in contempt of court for denying the
other parent’s court appointed visitation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You will also have to execute and attach a “significant impairment affidavit”
that details why you believe physical contact with the other parent would endanger
the child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The standard on getting such emergency
temporary orders however is very high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>General or undefined fears will not be sufficient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will have to have special compelling
reasons to believe that visits with the other parent will significantly impair
the child’s health. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reasons that <u>may</u>
be warranted, if proved, could be:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
other parent had close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19;<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
other parent recently traveled to Italy or China<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
other parent attended a high exposure situation such as the Biogen conference
in Boston that led to a breakout among attendees <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
other parent may have had contact with someone infected with COVID-19 AND, your
child has a compromised immune system or other underlying health condition.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Agreements
are like a vaccine against family conflict and are always the first and best
line of defense against the harm that comes to children as a result of parent
disputes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, if agreements are
ineffective or unavailable, then it may be time to call an experienced family
law attorney.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you have
any questions, please contact us at The Palmer Law Firm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We encourage you to schedule a free call with
one of our family lawyers, or come see us in person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have leveraged technology with our online
client portal, electronic forms and e-signature document capacities to minimize
your need to make trips from your home to advance your legal issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you do choose to visit us in person, you
can rely on us for clean offices with restrooms and hand washing facilities and
hand sanitizer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are here to
help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can book your free appointment
right from our Facebook page or call at 832-819-3529.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">An Exploration and Restatment of the Texas Family Code </div>Sean Y. Palmer- Attorney/Mediatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028801344320920803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12751658.post-9288915687864909092020-03-09T10:08:00.000-07:002020-03-09T10:13:01.478-07:00New Requirement for Summer Possession Notice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nPEfz8M-Xws/XmZnpjHNc1I/AAAAAAAAAtk/UQy8PnqVWm8ti8Me7SEjgBq0qnMBVYeRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/New%2BRequirement%2Bof%2BSummer%2BPossession%2BNotice.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nPEfz8M-Xws/XmZnpjHNc1I/AAAAAAAAAtk/UQy8PnqVWm8ti8Me7SEjgBq0qnMBVYeRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/New%2BRequirement%2Bof%2BSummer%2BPossession%2BNotice.png" width="400" /></a></div>
For all standard possession orders entered after September 1, 2019, a new requirement has been added for notice.<br />
<br />
As normal, the non-managing conservator under the standard possession order will have a period of extended summer possession (30-42 days). The managing conservator can request a period during that extended time when they can visit with the child. However, the managing conservator must pick up the child(ren) from the possessory conservator and return the child to the possessory conservator.<br />
<br />
Now under the new notice requirement of HB 553, the possessory conservator must now also give the managing conservator 15 days written notice of where they can pick up the child. The new law says:<br />
<br />
<b><i>"153.312(C) Parents Who Reside 100 Miles or Less Apart-</i></b><br />
<i>(c) Notwithstanding Section 153.316, after receiving notice from the managing conservator under Subsection (b)(3) of this section designating the summer weekend during with the managing conservator is to have possession of the child, the possessory conservator, not later than the 15th day before the Friday that begins that designated weekend, must give the managing conservator written notice of the location at which the managing conservator is to pick up and return the child."</i><br />
<br />
So for example, John and Mary are the parent of Joseph. They live less than 100 miles apart. Mary is the "managing conservator" because Joseph lives primarily with her and John is the "possessory conservator" because he has regular visits with Joseph. They have a standard possession order for visits which means that in addition to his weekend visits and certain holidays, John has a 30 day period during the summer break when Joseph will be with him. Normally this will be the month of July (unless John picks a different 30 days and sends written notice to Mary by April 1).<br />
<br />
Thirty consecutive days without seeing a parent is considered a long time by some and may be difficult for the child to go that long. So under the Standard Possession Order, if Mary gives John written notice by April 15, she can pick up Joseph for one weekend- HOWEVER, it is SHE who must pick up AND drop off from John- not necessarily at his house, but where ever he happens to be. What this means is that if Mary wants her summer weekend, she must be willing to travel wherever John is with Joseph over the summer to pick up Joseph on Friday and drop off him off again on Sunday at that same location . What if John and Joseph are on a camping trip at Yosimite? Yup, that means Mary must pick up Joseph at Yosimite and return him to Yosimite if she wants her weekend visit.<br />
<br />
Apparently there has been a change in the law to attempt to fix a problems that comes up with this. What if John refuses to tell Mary where he will be during his 30 days with Joseph? Former he was not required to. If he doesn't however, that effectively prevents Mary from exercising her right to a weekend visit. With this new law, the Texas Legislature has plugged this gap in the SPO order by adding a requirement of John that if Mary sends him timely written notice that she wants a weekend during John's extended summer visit with Joseph, then John must now give Mary <i>15 days written notice prior to Mary's weekend </i>of where he intends to be with Joseph during that weekend. This will allow Mary to make arrangements to pick up Joseph for her weekend.<br />
<br />
I think the requirement is necessary to protect the managing conservator's right , but I also see how it puts a burden on the possessory conservator. What if John and Joseph are just traveling in an RV and don't have a set agenda, and want to visit a different city than originally planned, or are delayed from arriving at a certain place due to weather or other event out of their control, or what if John just changes his mind about the trip?<br />
<br />
Again, this new notice requirement applies only to orders rendered after September 1, 2019. People with orders prior to that do not have the added notice requirement.<br />
<br />
The Palmer Law Firm practices exclusively in the area of Family Law litigation in Harris and Galveston Counties, Texas. If you have any questions about your possession order, or other issues regarding your legal rights and duties to minor children, in Harris or Galveston counties, Texas, please visit our website at www.thepalmerlawfirm.com or call us at 832-819-3529.<br />
<br />
<i>"We Can't Protect Your Heart, But We CAN Protect Your Rights."- THE PALMER LAW FIRM</i><br />
<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">An Exploration and Restatment of the Texas Family Code </div>Sean Y. Palmer- Attorney/Mediatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028801344320920803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12751658.post-27935837463358944332020-03-09T08:39:00.000-07:002020-03-09T08:39:42.658-07:00Law Protects Privacy In Property Agreements<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s3rySAbnlVY/XmZdIIeocqI/AAAAAAAAAtY/Mmkjhn_o-H4bKDDf-9y2xxBBmW-8jml6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/New%2BLaw%2BProtects%2BPrivacy%2Bof%2BProperty%2BAgreements.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s3rySAbnlVY/XmZdIIeocqI/AAAAAAAAAtY/Mmkjhn_o-H4bKDDf-9y2xxBBmW-8jml6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/New%2BLaw%2BProtects%2BPrivacy%2Bof%2BProperty%2BAgreements.png" width="400" /></a></div>
A new law passed in the last legislative session is aimed to protect people going through a Texas Divorce from having to revealing the sum and total and the division of their marital estate.<br />
<br />
Prior to this new law, divorce decrees would be put on the public record and could be accessible to anyone interested in looking at them. These divorce decrees necessarily listed in detail the assets and debts of the parties including even separate property not subject to division. This does not sit well with many who reasonably do not want to reveal the their entire financial to the world. In the age of widescale privacy breaches and with the advent of electronic access to court files, there has been growing concern about the court system revealing the details of people's financial situation, debts and even details of nearly every possessions they own. <br />
<br />
Texas Family Code 7.006(b) Agreement Incident to Divorce or Annulment has been amended by HB 559 so that if the parties agree to a property division, they do not have to file the details of that agreement with the records of the court. The parties can simply refer to the property agreement and "incorporate them" by simply referring to the agreement in the decree.<br />
<br />
Obviously the details of the property division agreement should still be in writing and each party should have a true copy of the agreement in their possession in case they ever have to enforce the agreement in court at a later date.<br />
<br />
The author's opinion is that there are much better methods to maintaining your privacy during and after your divorce. However, this change is another tool that can be used.<br />
<br />
If you have any other questions about privacy or other matters regarding your divorce, please visit our website at www.mydivorcefirm.com or call us at 832-819-3529.<br />
<br />
<i>"We can't Protect Your Heart, But We Can Protect Your Rights!"</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">An Exploration and Restatment of the Texas Family Code </div>Sean Y. Palmer- Attorney/Mediatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028801344320920803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12751658.post-12966831136724943732020-01-21T06:40:00.001-08:002020-01-21T06:40:34.178-08:00New Study Says Children Suffer Mentally If No Contact With Father After Divorce<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: justify; display: inline !important; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=12kdzn0EJIhUZLCFU6eqLJxyXD_ngNiYe" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=12kdzn0EJIhUZLCFU6eqLJxyXD_ngNiYe" style="font-size: 12pt; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3">Children’s health could be badly affected once they are separated from the father after divorce, and they could suffer from depression. </font></span></div><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify;"></span></font><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify; display: inline !important; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3">A recent study carried out by researchers at the University of Bergen, Norway, said difficulties between a father and child can negatively affect the child's health. Author Eivind Meland says</font></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); display: inline !important;"> that children could experience anxiety, depression, emotional difficulties or stress.</span></div><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify;"></span></font><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="text-align: justify; display: inline !important; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3">The study stressed that a child's health is strongly linked to his bond with the father.</font></span></div><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify;"></span></font><div style="text-align: start;"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify; display: inline !important;">"Those children that reported having lost contact or who find it difficult to talk with their father after divorce had most health complaints," said Meland.</span><span style="text-align: justify; display: inline !important;"> </span></span></font></div><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify;"></span></font><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="text-align: justify; display: inline !important; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3">The study found that girls have more difficulties talking with their fathers, while the divorce did not seem to affect their communication with their mother.</font></span></div><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; margin-top: 15px; text-align: justify;"></span></font><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="text-align: justify; display: inline !important; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3">The study included 1,225 teenagers who were followed up between 2011 and 2013. In 2011, 213 of these children had divorced parents. Two years later the number had increased to 270.</font></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">An Exploration and Restatment of the Texas Family Code </div>Sean Y. Palmer- Attorney/Mediatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028801344320920803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12751658.post-55831339719257042582019-10-30T04:59:00.001-07:002019-10-30T04:59:55.447-07:00Top 4 Tricks to Make Halloween A Treat For Divorced or Separated Families<div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1lROkSRRvWo1UVCUqwmcq8KQHgkqHbE0i" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1lROkSRRvWo1UVCUqwmcq8KQHgkqHbE0i" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; display: inline !important;"> Halloween may not be as meaningful as other seasonal holidays, but for divorced or separated parents and their children, feelings of “missing out” on fun times can be very challenging.</span><br></div>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><br></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Whether Halloween for your family is usually filled with spooky traditions (boo!) or trick-or-treating around the neighborhood, no parent wants to miss out on their kids in cute costumes, or digging out a few of your favorite treats from your little one’s candy bag at the end of the night for yourself (It’s okay, we all do it!).</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><br></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Parents can consider approaching Halloween without scares of fighting, “split-time” or alternating “every other year,” and make this year a treat for your children. But remember, it takes a commitment from both parents for these treats to work, and a promise that there will be no conflict or tension between parents around their kids during this special time.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><br></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Treat #1: Trick-or-Treat Together. True—you may not be pulling the matching family costumes out of the closet—but still, children can benefit from seeing their parents come together to support them, even if it is just for one night of fun. You can consider getting input from your children about the neighborhood they prefer to trick-or-treat, without asking them to choose. Once there is consensus, Mom and Dad can discuss and agree upon the place and time that the other parent will come by for shared parenting time during trick-or-treating. Ideally, you would tell the children together about your new Halloween plans and let them know that both of you are so excited to see them in their awesome costumes this year!</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If trick-or-treating is not possible together at the same time, you can accomplish a similar goal of sharing the holiday by having Dad go out with the kids for an hour while Mom hands out candy, and then switch so that Mom goes with the kids while Dad hands out candy. It still shows parental cooperation, and this may also minimize any tension.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Remember, Halloween trick-or-treating is a brief, but memorable for your kids. As parents, you are capable of protecting this precious time by raising the level of cordiality, despite what may have been a rocky history. Let down your guard, keep it light, focus on your children and appreciate that years in costumes are numbered. You can do it!</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Treat #2: Other Halloween Events. Trick-or-treating can be fun, but so can all the other spooky events going on around the Halloween season. From haunted houses and hayrides or even school Halloween parties, there is something for everyone. If being together for the holiday is just not possible, make it a point to celebrate in different ways with your children. Maybe Mom goes trick-or-treating, but Dad gets to help at the school Halloween party. That way, no one misses out on festivities. Here’s a healthy co-parenting Tip: Dad could reinforce Mom’s relationship with the children by letting them know how cool their costumes were by the photos that Mom sent him – and Mom can do the same by telling the kids how cool she think it is that Dad went to school and helped with the party. This positive reinforcement is the foundation of healthy co-parenting, and what kids need most emotionally and developmentally.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Treat #3: Make Halloween a Group Affair. If the idea of trick or treating with your former spouse and children is simply too scary on Halloween, try relieving the pressure by making it a group event. Make a plan with a group of other parents and children to go trick-or-treating all together and invite the other parent. This may reduce the awkwardness of not having others to socialize with, and your children will feel special to know they get to spend the holiday with not only both of their parents but also their friends.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Treat #4: Who Wants Even More Halloween? Candy for Everyone the Night Before! Admittedly, not the healthiest approach from a nutritional standpoint, but if you and your spouse are not able to celebrate together, try alternating years where one parent has the children the night before Halloween and the other has time with them on Halloween night. The night before Halloween can be just as fun! New traditions can be created. Maybe the night before you start a dress-up-and-go-to-the mall-tradition. Or a dress up and movie night. Maybe even a trick-or-treat the night before Halloween!</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For many parents, some of these creative approaches to Halloween may be possible. These ideas may have also helped you think of your own fun ways to approach it too. And for others, these approaches may not be possible at all—just do the best you can given the circumstances.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In any event, be well, be safe, and Happy Halloween.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">(Source: Mediate.com)</span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">An Exploration and Restatment of the Texas Family Code </div>Sean Y. Palmer- Attorney/Mediatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028801344320920803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12751658.post-5409015622841898512019-10-28T18:49:00.000-07:002019-10-28T18:50:37.723-07:00Why Do People Abuse?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CN2MGL9-wxY/XbeZ-6pTmpI/AAAAAAAAAss/1RaH77A7FS4nQEfwqBYcp7Ypc7i7TAg6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/angel-statue-23521292901589FE5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CN2MGL9-wxY/XbeZ-6pTmpI/AAAAAAAAAss/1RaH77A7FS4nQEfwqBYcp7Ypc7i7TAg6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/angel-statue-23521292901589FE5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.2px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Why Do People Abuse?</span></b></span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.2px; white-space: pre-wrap;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0.2px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Domestic violence and abuse stem from a desire to gain and maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Abusive people believe they have the right to control and restrict their partners, and they may enjoy the feeling that exerting power gives them. They often believe that their own feelings and needs should be the priority in their relationships, so they use abusive tactics to dismantle equality and make their partners feel less valuable and deserving of respect in the relationship.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.2px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>No matter why it happens, abuse is not okay and it’s never justified.</i></span></span></blockquote>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.2px; white-space: pre-wrap;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0.2px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Abuse is a learned behavior. Sometimes people see it in their own families. Other times they learn it from friends or popular culture. However, <b>abuse is a choice</b>, and it’s not one that anyone has to make. Many people who experience or witness abuse growing up decide not to use those negative and hurtful ways of behaving in their own relationships. While outside forces such as drug or alcohol addiction can sometimes escalate abuse, it’s most important to recognize that these issues do not cause abuse.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0.2px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Who Can Be in an Abusive Relationship?</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0.2px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anyone can be abusive and anyone can be the victim of abuse. It happens regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, race or economic background. If you are being abused by your partner, you may feel confused, afraid, angry and/or trapped. All of these emotions are normal responses to abuse. You might also blame yourself for what is happening. But, no matter what others might say, you are never responsible for your partner’s abusive actions. Being abusive is a choice. It’s a strategic behavior the abusive person uses to create their desired power dynamic. Regardless of the circumstances of the relationship or the pasts of either partner, no one ever deserves to be abused.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.2px; white-space: pre-wrap;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0.2px; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Source: National Domestic Violence Hotline)</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.2px; white-space: pre-wrap;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0.2px; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you believe that you are a victim of abuse and need immediate help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-787-3224. If you live in Harris or Galveston county and need help obtaining a protective order, divorce or any other family law help, you can get more information by calling The Palmer Law Firm at 832-819-3529.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.2px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><div class="blogger-post-footer">An Exploration and Restatment of the Texas Family Code </div>Sean Y. Palmer- Attorney/Mediatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028801344320920803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12751658.post-60349442657727996442019-10-22T11:14:00.000-07:002019-10-22T11:18:45.526-07:00The Duty to Protect Your Children<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FSx_f0jt50I/Xa9FqRbEAMI/AAAAAAAAAsY/ajMOQCQS_oUmJhPMtlCwvyZlWgFobklAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sad-child-1371910714Sfh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FSx_f0jt50I/Xa9FqRbEAMI/AAAAAAAAAsY/ajMOQCQS_oUmJhPMtlCwvyZlWgFobklAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/sad-child-1371910714Sfh.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
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A parent has the right and the duty to protect his child and
the child's future from harm. If you're involved in a custody dispute in Harris or Galveston County, Texas you must
use the local family court system to assert this right and fulfill this obligation. A
parent who becomes aware of dangerous behavior or damaging influences that
threaten the children's physical safety or emotional well-being can ask the
court to protect the children by removing them from the source of the immediate
or potential danger. A court ordered award of sole custody or the severe
restriction of visitation rights are the standard methods for ensuring
children's safety. These actions may be taken if the court is shown clear and
convincing evidence that the children are seriously endangered by parent’s
lifestyle, or parents behavior, or the environment in which here it forces the
child to live. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Documented cases of child abuse in any form meet the court
systems serious endangerment standard. Physical, emotional, or sexual
mistreatment of a child is child abuse. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">"A parent who becomes aware of dangerous behavior or damaging influences ...can ask the court to protect the children by removing them from the source of the immediate or potential danger."</span></i></b></blockquote>
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Physical abuse is any action that inflicts grave physical
damage, even if the injury is temporary. Corporal punishment that causes
bruising, bleeding, or burning is physical abuse. So is the denial of food,
water, shelter, or medical treatment. Well the difference between acceptable physical
discipline and physical abuse has never been defined in law, most courts and
most parents know when the boundary between the two has been crossed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Emotional abuse includes derogatory language and parental
conduct calculated to destroy or seriously undermine a child's dignity and self-esteem.
Constantly berating a child, humiliating a child in the presence of family,
friends, or teachers, or isolating the child from the outside world for
extended periods of time are examples of emotional abuse. Relentless insults or
mockery are other forms of this destructive behavior. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The legal definition of sexual abuse encompasses virtually
all actions involving a child intended to lead to the sexual gratification of
either the child or a participating adult. While the most common forms of
sexual abuse are outright sexual acts such as fondling, intercourse, oral
copulation, this category of child abuse may also Include placing the child in
sexually compromising positions, using the child to produce pornography,
requiring the child to wear seductive clothing, and indulging in forms of
physical discipline more commonly associated with adult sexuality than parental
behavior. Whether the child consents to sexual activity or is forced to
participate is irrelevant in determining if sexual mistreatment has occurred. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Neglect may also constitute serious endangerment courts have
revoked custodial rights of parents who have left young children alone for
hours or days parents whose primary meal planning function has been leaving paint
chips within easy reach; Parents who fail to treat, or even notice, the serious
physical or mental illnesses of a child ; And parents who have been unable or
unwilling to provide a clean, warm room for their children to sleep in. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Elements of a custodial parent’s lifestyle may be judged
dangerous, or potentially dangerous, to a child, even if the child is not
directly involved in that lifestyle. And lifestyle that brings potentially
harmful relationships into a child's life, for example can be considered to be
dangerous enough to warrant removal of the child. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Source:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Father’s
Rights by Jeffery M. Leving<o:p></o:p></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">An Exploration and Restatment of the Texas Family Code </div>Sean Y. Palmer- Attorney/Mediatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028801344320920803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12751658.post-58348281320309125362019-08-21T08:42:00.000-07:002019-08-21T08:42:22.634-07:00Top Three Parent-Child Reunification Programs After Alienation<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hubff1yxTlc/XV1lU8DqeHI/AAAAAAAAAro/YGwnvz6JkfQ_IhbuoPwLakwBRDxq9iCAACLcBGAs/s1600/Top%2B3%2BReunification%2BModels.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hubff1yxTlc/XV1lU8DqeHI/AAAAAAAAAro/YGwnvz6JkfQ_IhbuoPwLakwBRDxq9iCAACLcBGAs/s400/Top%2B3%2BReunification%2BModels.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I am often called upon to fight
for parents who have been alienated from the natural affections of their
children by the other parent.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">However, achieving
court orders designed to end devastating patterns of parental alienation are
only the beginning.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Although establishing
or enforcing the right to access and possession of the children, to orders of
counseling, and injunctions against a parent’s alienating behavior are
necessary, they are not sufficient to getting the children and the alienated
parent to interact in healthy, normal ways.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The psychological healing that must take place after the gavel falls is
where the real hard work lies. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">An
attorney who deals in high conflict cases must understand and appreciate that
they need to work in partnership with mental health professionals to completely
resolve their client’s problems.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And in
this sensitive area, the mental health prover must be have specialized
expertise in parental alienation reunification.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Mental health professionals
should be screened carefully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The client
should familiarize themselves with the professionals understanding of the
various parental alienation treatment models that have developed over the last several
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here then, are three of the most prevalent
family reunification intervention models:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Warshak’s Family Bridges Model.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Perhaps the best- known of
the emerging models, this program is an educative and experiential program
focusing on multiple goals:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>allowing the
child to have a healthy relationship with both parents, removing the child from
parental conflict, and encouraging child autonomy, multiple perspective-taking,
and critical thinking.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Sean/Dropbox/AAPALMERLAWFIRM/Marketing/BLOG%20POSTS/Top%203%20Family%20Reunification%20Models.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Sullivan’s
Overcoming Barriers Family Camp<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This model combines
psycho-educational and clinical intervention with an environment of milieu
therapy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is aimed toward the
development of an agreement regarding the sharing of parenting time, and a
written aftercare planning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is this
author’s opinion that this model is best utilized if a custody lawsuit is still
pending, such as if temporary but not final orders are in place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because it’s need for both parents to be
cooperative with making agreements, this model will not work well if the
communication skills of the parents are below a certain minimum.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Sean/Dropbox/AAPALMERLAWFIRM/Marketing/BLOG%20POSTS/Top%203%20Family%20Reunification%20Models.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Friedlander
and Walters’ Multimodal Family Intervention<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The flexibility and adaptability
of this model makes it a good choice for families in radical transition such as
those who are currently involved with high conflict litigation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This model provides differential
interventions for situations of parental alignment, alienation, enmeshment and
estrangement.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Sean/Dropbox/AAPALMERLAWFIRM/Marketing/BLOG%20POSTS/Top%203%20Family%20Reunification%20Models.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Children and parents who have
undergone forced separation are highly subject to post-traumatic distress and mental
health professionals are absolutely essential to resuming a healthy
relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Research has shown that
many alienated children can transform quickly from resisting the rejected
parent to being able to receive and show love for that parent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But to achieve that goal, the high conflict
family law attorney and the alienated client must be clear on their goals
during and after the custody case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
must work together to select a mental health provider who not only has specialized
expertise in parental alienation reunification, but offers a therapy model that
is best suited to the individual needs of each family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">If you have any questions
about your high conflict family law case, including parental alienation and
family reunification issues, please visit us at </span><a href="http://www.thepalmerlawfirm.com/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">www.thepalmerlawfirm.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
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<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Sean/Dropbox/AAPALMERLAWFIRM/Marketing/BLOG%20POSTS/Top%203%20Family%20Reunification%20Models.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Baker,
A. (2010).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Adult recall of parental
alienation in a community sample: Prevelance and association with psychological
maltreatment.” Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 51, 16-35.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Sean/Dropbox/AAPALMERLAWFIRM/Marketing/BLOG%20POSTS/Top%203%20Family%20Reunification%20Models.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Sullivan,
M.J. Et al (2010). “Overcoming Barriers Family Camp.” Family Court Review, 48
(1), 116-135.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Sean/Dropbox/AAPALMERLAWFIRM/Marketing/BLOG%20POSTS/Top%203%20Family%20Reunification%20Models.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Friedlander, S. & Walters, M.G. (2010). “When a child rejects a parent:
Tailoring the intervention to fit the problem.” Family Court Review, 48 (1),
98-111.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">An Exploration and Restatment of the Texas Family Code </div>Sean Y. Palmer- Attorney/Mediatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028801344320920803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12751658.post-21815091774525231942019-08-11T08:53:00.000-07:002019-08-11T08:56:15.603-07:00Taping Phone Calls, Recording Conversations and Taking Videos In Texas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4dHKpgsSOaU/XVA5BIqEKQI/AAAAAAAAArQ/EfwrCzO8nY8bbLZdIZ4mMdmrf-cbMyNigCLcBGAs/s1600/Ok%2Bto%2BRecord%2BA%2BConversation.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4dHKpgsSOaU/XVA5BIqEKQI/AAAAAAAAArQ/EfwrCzO8nY8bbLZdIZ4mMdmrf-cbMyNigCLcBGAs/s320/Ok%2Bto%2BRecord%2BA%2BConversation.png" width="320" /></a></div>
One of the most pervasive questions I get is whether a party can record conversations either in person or on the phone. Here is a short breakdown of applicable laws and cases in Texas.<br />
<br />
<b>The General Rule:</b><br />
No matter the form of communication, the general rule is - assuming you aren't doing it for an illegal reason (harassment, etc.) if you are recording a communication between yourself and another person, you may be alright in recording it. But if you secretly record a conversation between two other people you may get in big trouble. But are many exceptions and precautions to this general rule, so you must read on!<br />
<br />
S<i>ummary of statute(s)</i>: An individual
who is a party to either an in-person conversation or electronic communication, or
who has the consent of one of the parties to
the communication, can lawfully record it,
unless the person is doing so for the purpose
of committing a criminal or tortious act. A
person also can lawfully record electronic
communications that are readily accessible
to the general public. Tex. Penal Code Ann.
§ 16.02 (Vernon 2011).<br />
<br />
<i>In-person conversations</i>: The consent
of at least one party to a conversation is
required to record an “oral communication,” which is defined as “any oral communication uttered by a person exhibiting
an expectation that the communication is
not subject to interception under circumstances justifying that expectation.” Tex.
Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 18.20. Thus, an ex-wife can record a conversation with her ex-husband at a Starbucks because she does not need consent to record
conversations in public where there is no
reasonable expectation of privacy. However f she records the same conversation in the privacy of the home, where privacy is usually expected, then she should get the ex-spouses permission before recording or she may be breaking the law.<br />
<br />
<i>Electronic communications:</i> Things can get VERY SERIOUS when recording electronic communications because Federal Wiretapping Laws may come into play.<br />
<br />
The consent of at least one party to any telephone
communication is required to record it. And
because the provision of the statute dealing
with wireless communications applies to “a
transfer of signs, signals, writing, images,
sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature,”
consent likewise is required to disclose the
contents of text messages sent between
wireless devices. Id.<br />
<br />
<i>Hidden cameras:</i> It is a felony to photograph or record a person without the
person’s consent in a public place “with
the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual
desire of any person,” or in a bathroom or
private dressing room “with the intent to
invade the privacy of the person, or arouse
or gratify the sexual desire of any person,”
and to disclose any images obtained by these
means. Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 21.15.<br />
<br />
The
law, however, does not criminalize the use
of recording devices for other purposes in
areas to which the public has access or there
is no reasonable expectation of privacy (i.e.,
filming conversations on public streets or a
hotel lobby). The state’s highest court for
criminal cases recently held that the statutory prohibition on photographing or videotaping a person in public without that
person’s consent with the intent to arouse
or gratify a sexual desire did not implicate,
much less violate, a defendant’s free-speech
rights because the statute was not a regulation of speech or the contents of a visual
image but rather a regulation of the photographer’s or videographer’s intent in creating
the image. Ex parte Nyabwa, 366 S.W.3d 710
(Tex. Crim. App. 2012).<br />
<br />
<i>Criminal penalties</i>: Illegally recording an
in-person conversation or electronic communication is a felony offense. Tex. Penal
Code Ann. § 16.02.<br />
<br />
<i>Civil suits:</i> Anyone whose wire, oral
or electronic communication has been
recorded or disclosed in violation of the law
can bring a civil suit to recover $10,000 for
each occurrence, actual damages in excess
of $10,000, punitive damages, attorney’s
fees and court costs. Under the statute,
an aggrieved person also is entitled to an
injunction prohibiting further unlawful
interception or disclosure. Tex. Civ. Prac. &
Rem. Code Ann. § 123.004.<br />
<br />
The U.S. Court of Appeals in New Orleans
(5th Cir.) held in 2000 that a television station and reporter who obtained illegally
recorded tapes of telephone conversations,
but who had not participated in the illegal
recording, could nonetheless be held civilly
liable under the federal and Texas wiretap
statutes. Peavy v. WFAA-TV, Inc., 221 F.3d
158 (5th Cir. 2000). The case was appealed
to the U.S. Supreme Court, along with
two other cases raising similar issues. The
Supreme Court refused to hear the Texas
case but decided in one of the other cases,
Bartnicki v. Vopper, 532 U.S. 514 (2001),
that media defendants could not be held
liable for publishing information of public
concern that was obtained unlawfully by a
source where the media were blameless in
the illegal interception. Following the Bartnicki decision, the parties in the Peavy case
settled out of court.<br />
<br />
<i>Disclosing recordings:</i> Not only can you get in serious trouble for illegally recording a communication, if you then show the illegal recordings to anyone, you may be breaking additional laws. Trying to get your attorney to listen to, watch or hold on to such illegal recordings counts. And then if your attorney tries to use illegal recordings in court, you BOTH can be violating the law.<br />
<br />
Disclosing the
contents of a wire, oral or electronic communication obtained through illegal recording is a felony. Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 16.02<br />
<br />
<b>The bottom line</b><br />
The bottom line is that if you plan to record conversations without informing everyone that you are recording them, then make sure you follow these guidelines:<br />
<br />
1. There are no circumstances when you can record a person for an illegal purpose such as to harass them or for sexual gratification.<br />
2. At least one party to the conversations needs to be aware they are being recorded;<br />
3. Do not record someone when they should reasonably expect privacy (such as in their home);<br />
4. If you have an illegal recording in your possession, do not try to show it to anyone.<br />
<br />
It is best to consult with a lawyer before attempting to do any sort of fact gathering on your case.<br />
<br />
If you have any further questions about taping phone calls, recording conversations or taking videos in relation to your family law case in Texas, please visit our website at www.thepalmerlawfirm.com.<div class="blogger-post-footer">An Exploration and Restatment of the Texas Family Code </div>Sean Y. Palmer- Attorney/Mediatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028801344320920803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12751658.post-68389100532336728172019-06-07T11:35:00.000-07:002019-06-07T11:35:36.072-07:00Is Divorce a Violation of Your Religious Rights?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sAN3ciI3I3A/XPqsB2A-zjI/AAAAAAAAAqk/8fGFqhdltcAb1n0vLa7oV1jbLbfPwLq3wCLcBGAs/s1600/Divorce%2Ba%2BReligious%2BViolation.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sAN3ciI3I3A/XPqsB2A-zjI/AAAAAAAAAqk/8fGFqhdltcAb1n0vLa7oV1jbLbfPwLq3wCLcBGAs/s640/Divorce%2Ba%2BReligious%2BViolation.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">he ground
breaking Supreme Court case of Obergefell v. Hodges, 135 S. Ct. 2584 (2015),
which links the right to marriage as a personal right protected under the U.S.
Constitution Has sent ripples throughout the family law world. The
ramifications of this case will be talked about for many years to come and just
what its limits are will be the topic a family law for just as long. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As lawyers ,
it's our job to take prior cases end apply them to the cases we have before us.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But sometimes this effort stretches
thing a bit far.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This was the
case of Lecuona versus. Lecuona , No. 03-17-00136-CV <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>out of
Travis County.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The case was appealed all
the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court, which refused to hear the case.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Shawn Hall Lecuona
appealed from a final divorce decree that ended her marriage to Mark R.
Lecuona. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mark was the petitioner in the original case, and the
sole ground for divorce on which he relied, and which the district court
subsequently found, was the no-fault "insupportability" ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Insupportability is the basis of the “no-fault”
divorce scheme in Texas and is by far the most common ground plead for in Texas
divorces.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Shawn opposed the divorce on religious grounds and urged
that Mark's suit, and particularly the no-fault "insupportability"
standard on which he relied, unconstitutionally infringed her protected
interests in what she viewed as an immutable "blood covenant"
among the couple and the Almighty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In her appeal, Shawn relied United States Supreme Court's
decision <i>Obergefell v</i>. <i>Hodges</i>, which struck down
state prohibitions against same-sex marriage as a violation of a "right to
marry [that] is a fundamental right inherent in the liberty of the person"
and protected by the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the federal
constitution. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She said that Obergefell translates into a constitutional
restriction against Mark using Texas's no-fault divorce law to end a marriage. She
argued that for her professed religious reasons, she desires to stay married
and because this is a sincerely held religious belief, Mark cannot divorce her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So the question is:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>Does
the State of Texas violate a person’s First Amendment’s freedom of religion if
it grants a divorce despite a person’s sincere religious belief that marriage
is a sacred bond that cannot be broken. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Court held that <i>Obergefell</i>, whose analysis
is rooted in the Supreme Court's view of personal liberty, does not, either
directly or by implication recognize what would effectively be an affirmative
constitutional right of one spouse to compel an unwilling other spouse to
remain married.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Court also points out that to NOT grant a divorce
because of religious grounds of one spouse is a violation of the other spouse's
liberty to NOT hold that believe that liberty and state divorce
laws.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Court also pointed out Shawn's theory represents a
significant and novel expansion of <i>Obergefell</i> .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People are trying to use Obergefell in many
novel ways but the courts have stated that Obergefell is limited in it’s scope
and doesn’t open wide a door to all kinds of novel claims that run contrary to firmly
established principals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For example in <i>Pidgeon v</i>. <i>Turner</i>, <a href="https://casetext.com/case/pidgeon-v-mayor-sylvester-turner-1#p86"><span style="color: #005aaa;">538 S.W.3d 73, 86-87</span></a> (Tex. 2017) the Texas
Supreme Court observed that <i>Obergefell</i> "did not address
and resolve" the issue of "whether and the extent to which the
Constitution requires states or cities to provide tax-funded benefits to
same-sex couples" or invalidate Texas "Defense of Marriage"
enactments, "'[w]hatever ramifications <i>Obergefell</i> may
have for sexual relations beyond the approval of same-sex marriage are unstated
at best . . .'" (quoting <i>Coker v</i>. <i>Whittington</i>, <a href="https://casetext.com/case/coker-v-whittington-2#p307"><span style="color: #005aaa;">858 F.3d 304, 307</span></a> (5th Cir. 2017), and
citing other authorities recognizing <i>Obergefell</i>'s limited scope)).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In general the lower courts must use what the higher courts
have said at face value and not craft novel extensions to suit a desired
outcome.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In <i>Ex parte Morales</i>, <a href="https://casetext.com/case/ex-parte-morales-2#p488"><span style="color: #005aaa;">212 S.W.3d 483, 488</span></a> (Tex. App.—Austin
2006, pet. ref'd) in a novel constitutional challenge to <a href="https://casetext.com/statute/texas-codes/penal-code/title-5-offenses-against-the-person/chapter-21-sexual-offenses/section-2112-improper-relationship-between-educator-and-student"><span style="color: #005aaa;">Penal Code Section 21.12</span></a>, through that
"as an intermediate state appellate court, we must . . . defer to the
authoritative pronouncements of higher courts that currently define the scope
of the constitutional principles we apply here" (citing <i>Petco
Animal Supplies</i>, <i>Inc</i>. <i>v</i>. <i>Schuster</i>, <a href="https://casetext.com/case/petco-v-schuster#p564"><span style="color: #005aaa;">144
S.W.3d 554, 564-65</span></a> (Tex. App.—Austin 2004, no pet.))).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Covenant marriages are a perennial bill offering in the
Texas State legislature but year after year it fails to pass. Covenant
marriages would make it more difficult for married couples to get a divorce by
adding additional requirements , waiting time , fees or other impediments to
getting a divorce. Only three states so far have adopted covenant marriages and the data
shows that very few residents within those states elect to enter into "covenant marriages". One of the significant reasons why a covenant
marriage statute would be difficult to pass is because of the controverting liberty issue cited in the Lecuona case.
Specifically, that the state cannot impose religious conditions on a either spouse's right to be married or not to be married.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Another aspect to consider are two new statutes under the Texas
government code that went into effect in 2017. These statutes are commonly known as "anti-Sharia law" (although they were not specifically named as such to avoid then being challenged
in court) also limits the ability of the State to put religious conditions
on obtaining a divorce. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Sections <a href="https://texas.public.law/statutes/tex._gov't_code_section_22.0041" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">§ 22.0041</span></a><span style="background: white; color: #282727;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> and </span></span><a href="https://texas.public.law/statutes/tex._gov't_code_section_22.022" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-position-x: 0px; background-position-y: 0px; box-shadow: 0px 1px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: start; transition: border 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, color 0.25s ease 0s, box-shadow 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">§ 22.022</span></a><span style="background: white; color: #282727;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> of the Texas Government Code, states that “litigants in
actions under the Family Code involving a marriage relationship… are protected
against violations of constitutional rights and public policy in the
application of foreign law.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="background: white; color: #282727;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Foreign law as the proponents of these statutes have
attempted to make sure do not apply in Texas courts was the religious based domestic
laws of Muslim countries or Sharia law. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Could these new statutes be used to further prevent religious
conditions being imposed I'm getting a divorce? I think that is interesting food
for thought.</span></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">An Exploration and Restatment of the Texas Family Code </div>Sean Y. Palmer- Attorney/Mediatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028801344320920803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12751658.post-24900584813502369032019-02-14T10:25:00.002-08:002019-02-14T10:31:40.853-08:00Getting Married In Nepal on Valentine's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I_oNlM6pz14/XGWyiORCCQI/AAAAAAAAApY/8AYiFDdzvGsZ4VkKwFWjGxTIeEish_u9QCLcBGAs/s1600/India%2Bwedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I_oNlM6pz14/XGWyiORCCQI/AAAAAAAAApY/8AYiFDdzvGsZ4VkKwFWjGxTIeEish_u9QCLcBGAs/s320/India%2Bwedding.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
On Valentine's Day, I got a call in my office that really touched my romantic heart.<br />
<br />
Its a classic story. Boy meets Girl, Boy and Girl fall in love and want to marry, Boy and Girl get bogged down with legal red tape. <br />
<br />
Apparently this Texas resident had fallen in love and he was calling me all the way from Kathmandu to ask me how he could get married to his Nepali sweetheart . Awww!<br />
<br />
<br />
I had to admit to him that my knowledge of Nepali marriage law was a little rusty. But here is what I found:<br />
<br />
The Texas Resident should obtain the following:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>a copy of his valid passport with his Nepali visa;</li>
<li>Complete an "Unmarried Certificate" or a "No Objection Letter" from the U.S. embassy in Kathmandu. You have to make an appointment online for this.</li>
<li>a passport sized photo of yourself;</li>
<li>proof that you have stayed at least 15 days in the district in Nepal where you want to get married. This can be in the form of:</li>
<ul>
<li>a letter from the hotel that the person is staying in the hotel for that period;</li>
<li>a letter from the municipality that you are living there</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
For the Nepalese Girl should obtain the following:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>a recommendation form from the Municipality she lives in that she is unmarried;</li>
<li>a photo attached to the form (in what size the form requires);</li>
<li>an Original Citizenship Certificate</li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
In addition the couple must:<br />
<ul>
<li>proof that both have obtained the minimum age in accordance with the local law or written consent of the guardian</li>
<li>have two witnesses present for each of them</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Naturally none of this addresses the inevitable problems of visas and immigration but it is a start.<br />
<br />
I wish this young couple lots of luck and love.</div>
<br />
<b><i>Hey Cupid: you owe me one!</i></b><div class="blogger-post-footer">An Exploration and Restatment of the Texas Family Code </div>Sean Y. Palmer- Attorney/Mediatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028801344320920803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12751658.post-79768571320616589642018-08-09T11:43:00.004-07:002018-08-09T11:59:52.051-07:00Six Factors Texas Family Courts Should Consider When Relocating A Child<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vhXHL_l0-0w/W2yO7ccHhXI/AAAAAAAAAo4/YNDOhFmThLEHtM6qbHvPc1U2dC8gUeCVwCLcBGAs/s1600/right-and-left-turn-only-arrow-sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vhXHL_l0-0w/W2yO7ccHhXI/AAAAAAAAAo4/YNDOhFmThLEHtM6qbHvPc1U2dC8gUeCVwCLcBGAs/s320/right-and-left-turn-only-arrow-sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
<span style="font-size: x-large; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">
T</span><span style="font-size: large; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">here is a popular bumper sticker seen in the Lone State State : "I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could!". </span><br />
<br />
But as unbelievable as it may seem, there are a fair number of people that want to move out of the State every year ( I know- crazy, right?)<br />
<i><br /></i>
Some of those "Tex-patriates" are primary conservators who have been granted the exclusive right to designate the primary residence of one or more children. However in many cases, the courts have limited that right to designating the child's residence within a geographic restriction. In the interest of giving both parents easy access to the children so they can have regular contact, Family Courts in Texas often place these geographic restrictions. Essentially, they allow one parent to determine the residency of a child, but within a certain zone. Depending on the case and the court, this could be a zone encompassing a city or town, a whole Texas county, a Texas county and the counties contiguous to it (touching it's boarders), or to the whole State of Texas.<br />
<br />
Many of these folks may have a very good reason to want to relocate, such as a military reassignment for themselves or their new spouse, or better job opportunities. If that is the case, the parent wishing to move must request the court modify the prior order to lift or reform the geographic restriction. If that request is contested by the other parent who stays behind, then the courts must decide whether or not to grant the relocation of the child.<br />
<br />
As we mentioned in this blog in the past, there are many emotional and practical factors that come into play when deciding to move a child. But when a court is left to make the determination, then the factors must be based in law as well.<br />
<br />
In the past, there has been little case law to assist trial judges in making a relocation determination. <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">But in recent years, the Texas Supreme Court and
various Courts of Appeal, are slowly developing a consensus on specific factors
for trial courts to consider.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Although ruling
on relocation cases remains fact intensive, the developing body of case law
offers certain factors that, if answered in the affirmative, favor the granting
of requests to lift geographic restrictions.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Beginning in 2002, Texas case law has developed
specific factors that courts may consider in ruling on a whether a party may
establish a child’s residence without a geographic limitation. The emerging body of case law does point to one theme: </span><b>Courts should apply a fluid balancing test
that permits the consideration a number of factors. </b><br />
<br />
The leading case in
relocation is <i>Lenz v. Lenz, </i>79 S.W.3d
10 (Tex. 2002). In this case of first
impression, the Texas Supreme Court considered the requests of conservator
having the right to determine the child’s residence within the State of Texas
to relocate the child to Germany. In its
discussion of Sec. 153.001 and 153.002, the Supreme Court recognized that the
Family Code does not elaborate on specific requirements for modification in the
residency-restriction context. It also
considered the section’s pronouncement that “(t)he public policy of this state
is to (1) assure the children will have frequent and continuing contact with
parents who have shown the ability to act in the best interest of the child.”
(Sec. 153.001). However, the Supreme
Court stated that “no bright-line test can be formulated”. The Court reviewed relocation jurisprudence
in other states and noted that courts are “moving away from a relatively strict
presumption against relocation and towards a fluid balancing test that permits
the trial courts the consideration of a number of factors.<br />
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For many years there have been in place a few very general guiding principal for ANY type of modification. Texas Legislature has made it the public policy that children will have
frequent and continuing contact with parents who have shown the ability to act
in the best interest of the child. (Tex. Fam. Code Sec. 153.001(a)). The Legislature has also emphasized the best
interest of the child shall be the primary consideration of the court in
determining issues such as relocation. (Tex. Fam. Code Sec. 153.002). With these principals in mind, the legislature then created law that said when
a conservator has been granted the exclusive right to determine the child’s
primary residence within a geographic area, and that conservator later wishes
to relocate beyond that area, the court may modify the geographic
restriction. (Tex. Fam. Code Sec.
156.101-156.1045). Section 156.101
provides that a court should grant that request if the movant can show that
such modification is:</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->(1)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->in the best
interest of the child; and <o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->(2)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->the
circumstances of the child, a conservator, or another party affected by the
order have materially and substantially changed since the earlier of the date
of the rendition of the order.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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HOWEVER, the help for trial level Courts ends there. There has been no specific guidance in teh instances of relocation cases. What exactly is the "best interest of a child" in the complex and often compelling facts of relocation cases? Luckily, case law is helping refine that question. A review of the case law starting with the
<i>Lenz </i>case shows<b> six emergent factors
that the Courts should consider in granting a request to lift a geographic restriction and relocate a child:</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b> 1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b><i>Will the relocation result in an improved
financial situation? </i> </b>In <i>Lenz, </i>the Court noted that the improved
financial situation in the new location may contribute to the primary
conservator being able to provide a better standard of living for the
children. Also, <i>In re: E.C.M</i>., 2010 WL 2943091 (Tex.App. -Amarillo Jul 28, 2010) (NO.
07-09-00242-CV) the Court elaborated on
this factor when it upheld the relocation citing the primary conservator's
improved financial or job situation and ability to provide a better standard of
living- A neutral third party who conducted a social study recommended that
Mother continue to provide the child's primary residence even after moving to
Austin because Mother was able to be a "stay-at-home mom", and
because Stepfather's higher paying job was a positive thing for the child.<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b> 2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b><i>Will the relocation strengthen familial
relationships?</i> </b>The Court noted in <i>Lenz</i> that there were strong familial
ties of extended family in the new location which favored allowing the move. Also, <i>Jenkins
v. Jenkins</i>, 2001 WL 507221 (Tex. App.–Dallas 2001, writ denied) (not
designated for publication) where relocation would allow the mother to be
closer to her own family and support system, from whom she needed economic and
physical support.<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b> 3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Will the relocation increase the well-being
of the Movant- which in turn will benefit the child? </b>In <i>Lenz</i>,
the Court stated that “the custodial parent provides the child with a basic
quality of life, a child’s best interest is closely intertwined with the
well-being of the custodial parent.. to disavow the custodial parent’s
influence on his or her children ignores the fundamental relationship between
parent and child.” <i>Id at 19. </i>See also: <i>Hoffman
v. Hoffman</i>, 2003 WL 22669032 (Tex. App.-Austin) (not designated for
publication); and <i>In re: E.C.M</i>., 2010
WL 2943091 (Tex.App. -Amarillo Jul 28, 2010) (NO. 07-09-00242-CV); In re
Cooper, 333 S.W.3d 656 (Tex.App.-Dallas 2009, no pet.) citing improved “quality
of life” justifying the lifting of geographic restrictions. <b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b> <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b> 4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Will the Possessory Conservator continue to
have regular and meaningful contact with the child? </b>The Court pointed out in <i>Lenz</i> that the children can maintain
frequent contact with their father and that the father could relocate in order
to be near his sons. (See also: <i>Hoffman
v. Hoffman,</i>2003 WL 22669032 (Tex.App.-Austin)<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b> <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b> 5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Does the Movant intend to foster and
encourage the child’s relationship with the other parent? </b>Since <i>Lenz,
</i>the Texas Court of Appeals has decided several relocation cases. Out of Travis County comes <i>Echols v. Olivarez, </i>85 S.W.3d 475
(Tex.App.-Austin 2002, no pet.). In
supporting the trial court’s decision to lift the geographic restriction
allowing the mother to take the child with her to Tennessee, the Court of
Appeals heavily cited <i>Lenz</i> including
that concept that the new position in Tennessee offered additional financial
security and the expectation of career advancement. The Court of Appeals offered an additional
factor in assessing whether a change is positive and, in the child’s, best
interest. In finding in favor of the
movant, the Court noted that “(t)he mother’s intent was to continue to foster
and encourage the child’s relationship with his father”. (See also: <i>Cisneros v. Dingbaum</i>, 224 S.W.3d 245,
(Tex.App.-El Paso 2005, no pet.) where the mother and her husband offered to
provide videoconferencing on their home computer and telephone contact.)<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b> 6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Does the Possessory Conservatory fail to
exercise all periods of possession? </b>In re: E.C.M., 2010 WL 2943091
(Tex.App. -Amarillo Jul 28, 2010) (NO. 07-09-00242-CV). Noncustodial parent's involvement with the
Child-Though Father presented evidence that he was a fully engaged father,
Mother's testimony showed that Father did not consistently exercise all his
periods of possession. Further, Mother testified that Father had limited
involvement in the child's day-to-day care.<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<i>Other Possible Factors<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i> </i>The
following factors are mentioned in case law, although it is less clear how
central they were to the Court’s ultimate decision: <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b> </b><b>Holly Factors. </b>To the extent applicable, the Holley
factors may also be considered in the analysis. (See: <i>In re
C.R.O., Knopp v. Knopp</i>) Those factors include: (1) the desires of the
children, (2) the emotional and physical needs of the children now and in the
future, (3) the emotional and physical danger to the children now and in the
future, (4) the parental abilities of the individuals involved, (5) the
programs available to those individuals to promote the best interest of the
children, (6) the plans for the children by these individuals, (7) the
stability of the home, (8) the acts or omissions of the parent which may
indicate that the existing parent-child relationship is not proper, and (9) any
excuse for the acts or omissions of the parent. <i>Holley v. Adams</i>, 544 S.W.2d 367, 371-72 (Tex. 1976)<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b> </b></span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><b>Relocation Is Due to a Spouses’ Military
Assignment. </b><i>Cisneros v. Dingbaum</i>, 224 S.W.3d 245, (Tex.App.-El Paso 2005, no
pet.)<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b> <span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><b>Sole
Managing Conservatorship. </b><i>Jenkins v. Jenkins</i>, 2001 WL 507221 (Tex.
App.–Dallas 2001, writ denied) (not designated for publication). The Jenkins court suggested that this might
be a factor to consider when it stated that one of the core rights of a sole
managing conservator is the exclusive right to establish the child's residence
and domicile and that “While keeping families close together geographically may
facilitate visitation, as a practical matter, the best interests of the child
will often parallel those of the primary caretaker. The primary caretaker
parent should not be restricted from moving with the child when the proposed
move would not impair the well-being of the child.” <b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <i>Over time, as cases are decided, appealed and ruled on by the higher courts, the trial level courts will have greater clarity and guiding principals upon which to decide what its in the best interest of children in relocation cases. One thing is certain, as our economy shifts and with our increasingly mobile society, these types of case will arise more and more often in Texas Courts.</i></span><br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">An Exploration and Restatment of the Texas Family Code </div>Sean Y. Palmer- Attorney/Mediatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028801344320920803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12751658.post-16271998029196833552018-04-25T06:12:00.006-07:002018-04-25T13:30:15.711-07:00A (NOT SO) Simple Equation To Calculate What Your Case Is Worth.<br />
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<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<img alt="" height="225" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jo80gu3pMto/WuDOpNP6fzI/AAAAAAAAAnk/xgdIrrRvdxAsFvda_qtBMiazk42L0hsGACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" width="400" /></div>
A while ago, Jimmy Buffet wrote a song called "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWkjPrrBimA" target="_blank">Math Sucks</a>", a sentiment shared by many mathphobes. But math probably never sucked harder than when it is being used to deconstruct your life and reduce years of memories and hard work down to such a feeble thing as a raw number. But when you are involved in a divorce, getting the right number is critical in determining whether you will come out ok, or getting financially destroyed. Now that REALLY would suck.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If your attorney is a good one, he is getting your case ready for the worst possible scenario and will be busily preparing your case for trial- that is the ultimate goal of his efforts. However, the client’s calculations should be geared towards settlement, as that is often the most favorable result. So how can you decide if a settlement offer is a good one or not? Once again we have to turn to our old "frien-emy": math.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Knowing the total value of your property is the first and hardest step but unfortunately, it is not the only part of the equation. You should also add in the costs of litigation to your calculation. So when you are considering whether to accept a settlement offer, you can use the following formula. <br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Total value of assets you think the judge will award you - the total amount of debt you think the judge will award you -litigation fees (Legal fees + Expert fees + other costs + time missed from work + mental health costs + time value of money) < settlement offer</b>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In other words, if the value of the settlement offer is more than what you think the judge would award you LESS all the costs of litigation, you should take the offer. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Obviously there are lots of variables in this equation and the values for each of these may be constantly changing. But that is why the help of a good attorney team is essential to helping you decide if a settlement offer is even in the ballpark and even worth considering.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">An Exploration and Restatment of the Texas Family Code </div>Sean Y. Palmer- Attorney/Mediatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028801344320920803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12751658.post-32781291160312710382018-04-22T18:05:00.001-07:002018-04-22T18:12:49.410-07:00Snoring, Fishing or Too Much Sex: Top 10 Excuses for Getting a Divorce<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5HbPhdl3Zx0/Wt0y3NO2X-I/AAAAAAAAAm0/OsjSkl7SQZ4x-8Al4-Uk2C1MkQtbhB0uACLcBGAs/s1600/uncontested.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5HbPhdl3Zx0/Wt0y3NO2X-I/AAAAAAAAAm0/OsjSkl7SQZ4x-8Al4-Uk2C1MkQtbhB0uACLcBGAs/s320/uncontested.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Unless you are VERY far behind the times, it should be no news that you do not need to prove that your spouse caused the breakup of a marriage to get a divorce- pretty much if you want a divorce, you can have it. California was the first in 1970 and today all states in the union provide for some kind of "no- fault" divorce. Seventeen states are "true" no-fault in that they don't provide any option for a claim of fault. Thirty-three other states, including here in Texas, have an optional scheme: you can either plead no- fault, or plead one of the traditional fault based claims such as adultery, abandonment, or cruelty.<br />
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With great regularilty, bills are introduced into our state legislature that would make Texas return to the "fault-only" basis for granting a divorce. Each time the bills are defeated, but it makes one wonder what would happen if such a bill did pass in the modern era. The motivation behind such bills are clear- the proposal is an attempt to reduce the number of divorces by making it more difficult to obtain one- in the hope that parties will reconsider their action. But would the amount of divorces really go down?<br />
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I certainly don't think so. I think that most people will lie or at least exaggerate their circumstance to get what they want- a permanent, legal divorce.<br />
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Take the case of Great Britain. They do not have "no fault" divorce. There, divorces are granted only if the moving party can show that the spouse has engaged in some "unreasonable behavior"- although there is no legal definition for that term. Basically, Brits must come up with a reason- any reason- for divorcing, and our usually conservative cousins across the pond can prove to be quite imaginative in their reasons. A recent study has shown some of the most popular grounds for divorce in Great Britain. They include every kind of annoyance-even if the behavior is seen by others as healthy or positive. This includes seek divorce because the partner has become a fanatical cyclist or has started going to the gym every day, or has suddenly given up dairy and gluten. <br />
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Here then are the top ten reasons given for divorcing in Great Britain:<br />
<br />
1. <b>A partner's illness</b><br />
<b>2. Snoring</b><br />
<b>3. Going to the gym too much</b><br />
<b>4. Being ungrateful for all the work their partner does</b><br />
<b>5. Being hopeless with money</b><br />
<b>6. Disagreement over respective politics</b><br />
<b>7. Food fanaticism</b><br />
<b>8. Fishing</b><br />
<b>9. Sex- either not enough, being offered too much, or loss of interest</b><br />
<b>10. Suspicion the other party is messing around</b><br />
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If Texas ever returned to a fault based divorce system, I wonder how creative our "top ten list" would be?<div class="blogger-post-footer">An Exploration and Restatment of the Texas Family Code </div>Sean Y. Palmer- Attorney/Mediatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028801344320920803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12751658.post-38825415057267005042018-03-27T06:02:00.000-07:002018-03-27T06:02:04.341-07:00Liens and Forclosures: An Underutilized Child Support Enforcement Tool?Texas attorneys may be missing out on a great opportunity to enforce child support orders through the use of liens and foreclosures.<br />
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It is quite galling to someone struggling to meet the basic needs of their child because ordered child support is not being paid, to see the obligor enjoying the use of his lavishly furnished lakeside vacation home complete with jet skis. The Texas Family Code provides for liens and seizures of certain property but many Texas attorneys do not attempt this. The reluctance of many attorneys to consider the seizure of personal assets of the obligor may be from them incorrectly thinking that the exemptions provided in the Texas Constitution would make finding non-exempt property all but impossible.<br />
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However, child support is an expressed exception to the property exemptions of Property Code Sections 42.001 and 42.002.<br />
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In the case of Dryden v. Dryden, 97 S.W.3d 869 (Tex.App--Corpus Christi 2003, pet. denied), a Sherrif's sale was ordered for failure to pay child support and the Court of Appeals approved the sale of items including a second vehicle, jewelry, athletic equipment, sporting goods, and furniture.<br />
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If a seizure is sought, it is important for the attorney enforcing a Texas child support order to first file either an abstract of judgment or a child support lien notice. Only then should a Writ of Execution be filed.<br />
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Texas Family Code 157.311-331 details the procedures of filing a lien.<div class="blogger-post-footer">An Exploration and Restatment of the Texas Family Code </div>Sean Y. Palmer- Attorney/Mediatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028801344320920803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12751658.post-49263068996301607972018-03-26T05:28:00.002-07:002018-03-26T05:28:32.899-07:00Can Parents Agree to Reduce/Settle Child Support Arrearages On Their Own?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K6Z0jL6Ej44/WrjmUz_z1bI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/IvJ3KxSofXEjVWr_sCtgWVAsaSOTEDKRgCLcBGAs/s1600/child-and-strawberries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K6Z0jL6Ej44/WrjmUz_z1bI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/IvJ3KxSofXEjVWr_sCtgWVAsaSOTEDKRgCLcBGAs/s320/child-and-strawberries.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">YES, but only after the arrears has been reduced to a final written judgment of the court.</span><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">This relieves the pressure on the Custodial Parent/Obligee from having to agree to a reduced judgment on past due support out of desperation to receive some financial relief immediately. It offers the full weight of Enforcement mechanism of the Family Code to the Custodial Parent/Obligee. </span><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">“ Due to the financial hardships so frequently encountered by the custodial parent following divorce, the failure of the former spouse to pay court-ordered child support puts the custodial parent in a very difficult position. If the non-custodial parent offers to pay a portion of child support arrearages in settlement of the entire amount due, the custodial parent may be persuaded to accept the offer due to present financial difficulties and the possibility of further delay and expense in collecting the unpaid amount.” Williams v Patton </span><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">When drafting a contempt order, the judgment must first be addressed THEN a release of a set dollar amount and THEN a new judgment for the reduced amount (if any) with order to pay.</span><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">See Williams v. Patton, 821 S.W.2d 141 (1991)</span><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><a href="https://www.leagle.com/decision/1991962821sw2d1411960" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #6611cc; font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-ligatures: none; pointer-events: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">https://www.leagle.com/decision/1991962821sw2d1411960</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">An Exploration and Restatment of the Texas Family Code </div>Sean Y. Palmer- Attorney/Mediatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028801344320920803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12751658.post-24003394242884601462018-03-15T06:36:00.004-07:002018-03-15T06:36:58.228-07:00Can a Court Use A Parent's Immigration Status to Deny Joint Custody? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JwB6OFLHk3s/Wqp2kqL4p0I/AAAAAAAAAl0/pBbDRa4WBO8fdUtjTUhipGsuVTNixXvoACLcBGAs/s1600/right-and-left-turn-only-arrow-sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JwB6OFLHk3s/Wqp2kqL4p0I/AAAAAAAAAl0/pBbDRa4WBO8fdUtjTUhipGsuVTNixXvoACLcBGAs/s320/right-and-left-turn-only-arrow-sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">Probably not. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">Parents are generally always named Joint Managing Conservators (JMC) unless one parent can provide evidence that proves that a parent's immigration status has a material, adverse effect on their ability to parent.</span><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the recent case of <b><i>Turrubiartes v. Olvera</i>, 2018 Tex. App. LEXIS 1017 (Tex. App.--Houston [1st Dist.] Februrary 6, 2018)(opinion on rhr'g)(Cause No. 01-16-00322-CV)</b>. A father argued that the main reason he should be name sole managing conservator of his three children was that he was a U.S. Citizen and the mother was not. Father said he feared that the mother would be stopped while driving the kids in Texas and be deported.</span><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">The lower court granted Sole Managing Conservatorship to the father. In it's findings of fact on the ruling, nine out of the thirteen factors the court said it considered had to with the mother's immigration status.</span><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Court of Appeal for the 1st District overturned the ruling. They pointed out that "immigration status" is not expressly listed in TFC 153.134(a) as one of the factors that a court may use in overcoming the presumption that parents should be named Joint Managing Conservators. The COA said the father's fear of the mother being deported while driving the children was resolve by her being ordered by the lower court to find a licensed driver for the children. The Court of Appeals concluded that father's other points for him being named sole managing conservator were not sufficient to overcome the joint managing presumption.</span><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Comment:</i></span><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>This is not the last we will hear of immigration status being used as a weapon in a custody case. With the recent Federal Court ruling upholding punitive measures used against so called "sanctuary cities", the political winds still seem to be blowing hard against illegal immigrants in Texas. It should be noted that in this case the COA seemed to ignore the catch all statutory factor under 153.134(a) of "any relevant factor"- which may be used in the future. Future cases, with the right fact pattern in may find success in using immigration status as a reason factor in custody cases. I would not be surprised if a conservative legislator will jump on this and seek to add immigration status to 153.134(a).</i></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">An Exploration and Restatment of the Texas Family Code </div>Sean Y. Palmer- Attorney/Mediatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028801344320920803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12751658.post-21387936068599741302018-03-09T05:56:00.002-08:002018-03-09T05:58:11.446-08:00Is there a Statute of Limitations Concerning Money Judgment for Child Support?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tGTVevkJdLQ/WqKSQ6Jgj0I/AAAAAAAAAlY/dlTOrqx2mh0vpCDjuISLrCl71krhcsu2gCLcBGAs/s1600/child_support_fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="865" height="167" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tGTVevkJdLQ/WqKSQ6Jgj0I/AAAAAAAAAlY/dlTOrqx2mh0vpCDjuISLrCl71krhcsu2gCLcBGAs/s320/child_support_fb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.87); font-family: "roboto slab" , "times new roman" , serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Yes. </i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.87); font-family: "roboto slab" , "times new roman" , serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">The court of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction retains jurisdiction to confirm the total amount of child support arrearages and enter judgment for past-due child support. The statute of limitations concerning a money judgment is ten years. The suit must be filed within ten years from the date the child becomes an adult, or the child support obligation terminates. (157.005(b)).</span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">An Exploration and Restatment of the Texas Family Code </div>Sean Y. Palmer- Attorney/Mediatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028801344320920803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12751658.post-41876532343337967322018-01-13T22:29:00.000-08:002018-03-26T05:30:54.427-07:0040 Documents You Should Bring To Your Divorce Lawyer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f_Z-S6ZoiAA/Wj9JSKkEYaI/AAAAAAAAAkU/jWMtDBnRmVw3DqpgcrzPY6wCjDOpPDZfgCLcBGAs/s1600/40%2Bdocuments.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f_Z-S6ZoiAA/Wj9JSKkEYaI/AAAAAAAAAkU/jWMtDBnRmVw3DqpgcrzPY6wCjDOpPDZfgCLcBGAs/s400/40%2Bdocuments.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Attorneys charge by the hour so it literally pays for you to be prepared. Here is a list of items you should be gather prior to meeting with your divorce attorney so that your initial interview will go quickly and efficiently.<br />
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1. Individual income tax returns for past three to five years (federal, state, and local)<br />
2. Business income tax returns for past three to five years (federal, state, and local)<br />
3. Proof of your current income<br />
4. Proof or spouse’s current income<br />
5. Prenuptial agreement, if already drafted<br />
6. Divorce decrees from previous marriages<br />
7. Bank statements<br />
8. Certificates of deposit<br />
9. statements<br />
10. Retirement account statements<br />
11. Trusts<br />
12. Stock portfolios<br />
14. Stock options<br />
15. Mortgages<br />
16. Property tax statements<br />
17. Credit card statements<br />
19. Loan documents<br />
20. Utility bills<br />
21. Other bills (e.g., school tuition, unreimbursed medical bills, etc.)<br />
22. Monthly budget worksheet<br />
23. Completed financial statements<br />
24. Employment contracts<br />
25. Benefits statements<br />
26. Life insurance policies<br />
27. Health insurance policies<br />
28. Homeowner’s insurance policies<br />
29. Automobile insurance policies<br />
30. Personal property appraisals<br />
31. Real property appraisals<br />
32. List of personal property, including home furnishings, jewelry, artwork, computers, home office equipment, clothing and furs, etc.<br />
33. List of property owned by each spouse prior to marriage<br />
34. List of contents of safety deposit boxes<br />
35. Wills<br />
36. Living Wills<br />
37. Powers of Attorney<br />
38. Durable Powers of Attorney<br />
39. Advance Health Care Directives<br />
40. Your checkbook.<br />
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Your lawyer may not ask for all these items, but there is a good chance each of them will be needed at some course in your divorce. Gathering them now will help you and your lawyer.<br />
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<i>Sean Y. Palmer has worked as a Divorce and Family Law Attorney in the Houston Metro Area for the last 18 years.</i><div class="blogger-post-footer">An Exploration and Restatment of the Texas Family Code </div>Sean Y. Palmer- Attorney/Mediatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028801344320920803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12751658.post-57160943147850487882018-01-04T18:43:00.000-08:002018-01-04T18:55:22.411-08:00Twelve Rules for Better Writing Better Legal Emails<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cp-ZscpuiOI/Wj9A9AsH9II/AAAAAAAAAkE/jqIYQBBCTxkpOvrFhiV2mhRyaI8iWfQNwCLcBGAs/s1600/Twelve%2BRules%2Bfor%2BBetter%2BLegal%2BEmails.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cp-ZscpuiOI/Wj9A9AsH9II/AAAAAAAAAkE/jqIYQBBCTxkpOvrFhiV2mhRyaI8iWfQNwCLcBGAs/s400/Twelve%2BRules%2Bfor%2BBetter%2BLegal%2BEmails.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Better e-mail writing can result in proposals that win contracts, get you promoted, and just get your message across to the receiver and ultimately win your case. Here are 12 tips on style and word choice that can make your legal e-mails clear and persuasive.<br />
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1. PRESENT YOUR BEST SELF<br />
Its human nature for your moods to vary. The beauty of emails is that real time conversations , e-mails are written alone and on your own schedule. Take advantage of this and take the time to let your best personality shine through. Although it is tempting to immediately reply to an email to get it out of your inbox, a better strategy for important e-mails is to compose our answer when your time is not pressured- and especially wait if your are angry.<br />
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2. WRITE IN CLEAR CONVERSATIONAL STYLE<br />
Most lawyer lean too much in the direct of formality and the emails tend to be long winded and stiff. The better way is go is to keep it simple. Write to express- not to impress. A relaxed conversational style can add vigor and clarity to your emails.<br />
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3. BE CONCISE<br />
Lawyers are busy people and they charge by the hour. Make your writing less time-consuming for them to read by telling the whole story in the fewest possible words. Avoid redundancies - needless wordiness and phrases that repeat the same conference.<br />
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4. BE CONSISTENT<br />
Good writers strive for consistency in the use of numbers, hyphens, units of measurement, punctuation, etc. Keep in mind that if you are inconsistent in any of these matters of usage, you are automatically wrong at least part of the time.<br />
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5. USE JARGON SPARINGLY<br />
Use legitimate legal or technical terms when they communicate your ideas precisely, but avoid using legal jargon just because the words sound impressive.<br />
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6. AVOID BIG WORDS<br />
Using big, important-sounding words instead of short, simple works is a mistake. Fancy language just frustrates the reader.<br />
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7. PREFER THE SPECIFIC TO THE GENERAL<br />
Readers of emails want facts. Don't just say good, bad, or fast. Say how good, how bad, how fast.<br />
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8. BREAK UP YOUR WRITING INTO SHORT SECTIONS<br />
Long, unbroken blocks of text are stumbling blocks that intimidate and bore readers. Break up your writing into short sections and short paragraphs which makes the text easier to read.<br />
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9. USE VISUALS<br />
Drawings, graphs and other visuals can reinforce your e-mail. Especially with legal communications, visuals can make your emails more effective.<br />
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10. USE THE ACTIVE VOICE<br />
Voice refers to the person speaking works or doing an action. Whenever possible, use the active voice. Your writing will be more direct and vigourous; your sentences will be more concise.<br />
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11. ORGANIZATION<br />
Poor organization stems from poor planning. Before you write an email, plan. For very important emails, you should create a rough outline that spells out the contents and organization. The outline is a tool to aid your organization, not a commandment etched in stone. If you want to change it as you go along- fine.<br />
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12. LENGTH<br />
Keep your email as short as possible. The art of being concise in your e-mail writing can require considerable effort in the rewriting and editing stage. Philosopher Blaise Pascal once wrote to a friend and apologized for sending a long letter. He said, "I would have written a shorter letter, but I didn't have the time."<div class="blogger-post-footer">An Exploration and Restatment of the Texas Family Code </div>Sean Y. Palmer- Attorney/Mediatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028801344320920803noreply@blogger.com