Tessmer Law Firm, Author at Tessmer Law Firm - Page 21 of 30
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Author: Tessmer Law Firm

Home > Articles posted by Tessmer Law Firm (Page 21)

20 Sep

Posted at 15:00h in Tessmer Tips
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We handle a lot of divorce cases. Yours may have been fairly painless - or, it may have been contentious and seemed to have dragged on forever.  Either way, now it is over and you are officially divorced, but there are still some details to handle. Stay tuned this week to see the top 10 things we advise our newly divorced clients to do - and don't worry, if you need assistance with any of them, we are here to help!   Top 10 things you must do once your divorce is final: #1 - Secure several Certified Copies of your Final...

18 Sep

Posted at 15:00h in Tessmer Tips
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Texas law requires that division of property must be equitable under the circumstances.  There are many things the court considers in determining what is “equitable”, including fault in the breakup of the marriage, the difference in earning potential between the spouses, which spouse has custody of the children, and more.  An equitable split does not mean that the division of property will be 50/50, and a court is never allowed to award one spouse’s separate property to the other spouse.   A couple can name specific property as “community” or “separate” themselves in two ways.  First, before marrying, they can execute a...

17 Sep

Posted at 15:00h in Tessmer Tips
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In the case of splitting debts in a divorce, the key principle to remember is that any agreement reached involving the assignment of a debt is binding between the spouses, but generally does not extend to creditors. A proper divorce settlement will take several factors into account, such as when the debt was acquired, the names on the debt account and how ownership of the asset associated with the debt – for example, a vehicle – is structured. In general, if the credit of both spouses was used to acquire the debt, or both spouses are named on the credit...

17 Sep

Posted at 14:48h in News
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Heather Tessmer has been listed the October 2015 issue of Texas Monthly's Super Lawyers section as a Family Law attorney. Super Lawyers are first nominated by their peers, then must go through a validation and evaluation process. Only 5% are selected for the list! Congratulations, Heather!! ...

16 Sep

Posted at 15:00h in Tessmer Tips
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A business or professional practice can also be community property and must also be considered in the division of property. Probably the most difficult aspect of determining the value of a business or professional practice is the valuing of “goodwill”.  Goodwill is the intangible value that most businesses have based on their name or reputation.  Even a business that cannot be sold has a goodwill value, which must be ascertained when the couple divorces.  Again, having a qualified Family Law attorney on your side in a case like this is crucial, because he will bring in a CPA or business...

15 Sep

Posted at 15:00h in Tessmer Tips
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Community property does not just include things like real estate, household belongings, and vehicles.  It also includes intangible property such as income, dividends, benefits and debts.  All community property must be divided when the marriage ends, and all of the debts as well.   In some cases, when a court awards a portion of one spouse’s retirement benefits to the other spouse, a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) must be prepared to be sent to the employer, who will be ordered to distribute benefits to each spouse in accordance with the court’s order.  A QDRO is not a “google and do-it-yourself” document. ...

14 Sep

Posted at 15:00h in Tessmer Tips
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Texas law defines community property as all of the property acquired by either spouse during a marriage, except separate property.  Separate property is anything one spouse owned prior to the marriage, property inherited by only one spouse, property received as a gift by only one spouse and recoveries for personal injuries suffered by only one spouse – except for the portion of the award intended to compensate for lost earnings during the marriage.   All property is presumed to be community property, unless and until the party claiming it is separate can prove so by a preponderance of the evidence.  What sort...

13 Sep

Posted at 15:00h in Tessmer Tips
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In the Texas family court system, there are two kinds of property to be considered in a divorce: separate property and community property.  Separate property is solely owned by one spouse.  Community property is owned in equal shares by both spouses.  All property acquired during a marriage by either spouse is presumed to be community property.  A spouse that claims a particular property is separate must prove sole ownership.   The concept of separate and community property comes from the law of Castile and has been maintained in Texas since Spanish rule. In the early days, a wife could have separate property,...

28 Aug

Posted at 15:00h in Tessmer Tips
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Keep all appointments with your medical providers. Explain to your doctors, in detail, any problems you continue to experience as a result of your injuries. This ensures your medical record is complete, which is important when it comes time to negotiate a settlement or go to trial.   DO keep your final appointment with your doctor. This is when your doctor will usually provide you with a ‘permanency rating’ if your injury is permanent. Your attorney must have this information before settlement negotiations can begin.   Don't be too eager to settle. The claims adjuster you will be dealing with will want immediate resolution....

27 Aug

Posted at 15:00h in Tessmer Tips
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In a personal injury case, documentation is important. Take photos of your injuries. Also, include recent photos of yourself taken before the injuries occurred.  Keep a journal about your injuries and medical attention. Be precise about everything, including the daily extent of your pain. Even the smallest of points is significant information.   Keep a file of every form of correspondence with every involved medical person relating to your injury, including e-mails. Save all of your medical-related receipts. This includes prescriptions, special equipment (crutches, walkers, canes), special foods, and co-payments.   Don’t forget to document any travel expenses for your medical appointments. Maintain documentation...