Family Law | Minnesota Lawmakers Jump On Alimony Reform Bandwagon
Some obligee spouses in the Gopher State may no longer be eligible for spousal support payments under a new family law that took effect August 1, and although the alimony reform wave has washed ashore in a number of states, Texas is still bone dry. Under current law, obligor spouses in Minnesota must continue paying... Read More
Family Dispute Affects Parent-Child Relationship
An Irish man faces tough questions about his habit of spying on his wife, and the effect his alleged paranoia may have on his children. According to court papers, the trouble began when the husband began taking prescription painkillers following an injury. He alleged that his wife stole them; she admits to the theft, but... Read More
Alimony In Texas
When it first took effect in 1997, many practitioners believed that the limited spousal support law would be gradually expanded over time until there was a presumption in favor of long-term alimony in Texas. But the law has been significantly expanded only once – in 2013 – and given the current political climate, it may... Read More
Practical Matters In Property Distribution
Texas law requires marital property to be divided in a “just and right” manner upon divorce, a phrase that basically means the marriage dissolution must not be an unfair financial burden on either party. Statistics vary, but there is little doubt that this directive for financial equality mitigates in favor of women. Statistics vary significantly,... Read More
Grandparents’ Rights In Texas
Sixteen years ago, in a rare Supreme Court foray into family law, the Justices decided Troxel v. Granville, a case that was seen as sharply limiting grandparents’ rights. In some parts of the country, such an interpretation may have been appropriate. But here in Texas, Troxel largely confirmed the existing provisions in the Family Code.... Read More
Baseball And Love And Money
The Texas Rangers may soon move into a new $1 billion retractable-roof stadium, completing a remarkable transformation for a franchise that was in bankruptcy just a few years ago. The Los Angeles Dodgers have gone through a similar process in that same time period, but that team’s journey also involved a high-profile divorce. When California... Read More
Cross-Country “Family Vacation” Ends With Criminal Prosecution
An odd parental kidnapping case that began in Illinois and ended in Georgia has a North Texas connection. Court documents state that after Michalene Melges argued with her ex-husband in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, she vowed he would “never see the kids again.” She then rented a van in Lake Bluff, Illinois and drove with her... Read More
Child Custody In Texas
Joint custody was once hailed as the best possible co-parenting arrangement. But lately, some have questioned whether or not such an arrangement is really in the children’s best interests, at least in all cases. The constant back and forth, especially if the divorced parents live in separate cities, sometimes leave the children with little or... Read More
How Temporary Is Temporary?
When future Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig first took the field for the New York Yankees in 1923, he was intended to be a temporary replacement for injured All-Star Wally Pipp. But, as the Iron Horse made one stellar contribution after another over the next 2,130 consecutive games, the “temporary” arrangement became permanent. The temporary... Read More
Liberalized Marriage Dissolution Laws And The Super-Friends
The continuing popularity of comic book-themed movies has caused some people to wonder why Batman, Superman, and their costumed colleagues ended their run on Saturday morning cartoons. Some observers suggest that no-fault divorce laws may have closed the Hall of Justice, thus accomplishing a goal that always eluded Lex Luthor and his ilk. From the... Read More