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The Crushing Impact Of Child Support Debts On Low Income Families In The Minority Communities (A Law Review Article By Rachael Aminu) What Is “Redefining The Best Interests Of The Child?” This is an excerpt of the article written by attorney Rachael Aminu: The Child’S Development Is The Authentic Best Interest The development of a child is important, and money is not always the solution. The attention and presence of healthy parents can build a child’s confidence and outlook in life – his or her transition into adulthood. Development is not limited to the physical upbringing; it includes the emotional, mental, and…Read More

Extended Or Expanded Standard Possession Order – What It Is. One of the questions we get at our firm is: how do I get more time with my child? You may need to modify your previous child custody order. This is called modification. In a modification suit, you ask the court for a change in its previous ruling. The order may be about which parent has the right to choose where the child lives. Also, your order may determine which parent gives child support. There is a rebuttable presumption that mom gets child support and decides where the child lives. Again,…Read More

Learn what to expect when you are faced with the enforcement of child support. Children need the support of their parents. More importantly, children thrive when they are emotionally and financially supported by their parents. It makes them feel wanted, cherished, and cared for. It can boost their self-esteem and affects their quality of life. Why Enforcement? An enforcement of child support is the way a parent or the government office (OAG) can secure financial support. When a parent does make child support payments, the child does not have what he or she needs. The other parent may not be able to…Read More

How To File For Modification Of Child Support In Texas. Modification means change. A court order for custody or child support can be changed. However, there are legal guidelines for changing custody and support amount. How to change current custody, visitation, medical, or child support order. You file a modification case. A Texas court cannot enforce any changes that parents agree to outside of the court. Only a judge can change a court order. It is important to talk to an attorney before filing because modification cases are facts-dependent. In other words, the court will look at the facts of…Read More

Child Abuse Facts And Statistics. The child protection agencies receive more than 3.6 million referrals every year. These referrals involve more than 6.6 million children who are victims of child abuse. Unfortunately, the United States has one of the worst records among industrialized nations. We lose an average of four to seven children every day to child abuse and neglect. As if these numbers are not staggering enough, one-year-old children have the highest rate of victimization. Learn What Child Abuse Is. What Is Child Abuse? To help prevent child abuse, you need to understand what it is. Let’s look at the…Read More

Interview Of A Child In Chambers Did you know that in a custody battle, a party can request that the judge interview the child? In a non-jury trial or at a hearing, the amicus attorney (attorney of the court or custody evaluator) can ask the court to interview a child. The child’s attorney also known as an attorney ad litem may also apply for an interview on behalf of the child. In addition, the court, on its own motion may interview the child. The purpose is to find out which parent or party (if grandparents are involved) should have primary…Read More

In Texas, A Spouse Can Ask The Court For Spousal Maintenance, Also Known As Spousal Support Or Alimony Spousal maintenance is more commonly asked for by a homemaker (housewife) or a disabled spouse. However, there are factors that must be considered. See below. A spouse who receives the court order pay spousal support pays it directly to the receiving spouse. Also, the receiving spouse can ask the court to order the money to be paid by the paying spouse’s employer. This money (support amount) is tax deductible to the paying spouse and taxable to the receiving spouse. Whether the court…Read More

Annulment is a lawsuit where a spouse asks the judge to declare his or her marriage invalid for particular reason(s) that existed at the beginning of the marriage. There is a difference between annulment and divorce. In a divorce, the court rules that a valid marriage has ended. However, in a suit for annulment, the court rules as if the marriage never happened. According to Chapter 6 of the Texas Family Code, there are legal grounds or reasons for annulment, such as: 1. Underage. A lawsuit to annul a marriage may not be filed by a parent or legal guardian after the 18th…Read More

When You Treat Your Marriage Like A Business Transaction, You Become Married To A Business Partner Many relationships have lost intimacy, and they are at an all-time low. There is deficit in their love tank. Why? We live in a time and age where people are less likely to commit and more apt to exit. If it looks too hard or feel inconvenience, there is a mentality that it must be wrong or broken. This deficit is what I call the debt of divorce. Literally, a relationship can go from care to toleration. A better Foundation for marriages is covenant.…Read More

Mediation Is Fast Approaching. What Do I Need To Take With Me To A Divorce Mediation? It is good to be prepared – even better to be over-prepared than to be unready. Also note that when you have an attorney with you, there is more ease. An attorney-mediator is a trained professional who can explain your rights to you. Although it is not necessary to have an attorney present at a mediation, it is to your advantage – especially if your current spouse already retained an attorney. As a refresher, Mediation is faster, friendlier, more affordable, and confidential. This is a safe way for…Read More