Adoption In Texas – An Overview
Adoption is “a process whereby a person assumes the parenting for another and in so doing transfers all rights and responsibilities from the biological parent or parents.” In the State of Texas, adoption is regulated under Family Code Section 162. Adoptions are typically handled by the District Courts. But, a juvenile or other court that has […]
Separation v. Divorce in Texas
Most states have laws about legal separation, but Texas does not. Couples in Texas that want to live apart have only one legal remedy – divorce. If you want to split up and live apart, but not divorce, you can voluntarily decide on a parenting plan for your children. A Suit Affecting the […]
Child Support in Texas – What does it Cover?
Raising kids is expensive. School, sports and extracurricular activities, tutoring, medical insurance, braces, cell phones, computers, clothes, shoes…. The list goes on and on. It is hard enough in a two-parent household. It gets harder when parents divorce. Child support is money paid by one parent to the other to help cover the […]
Child Support & Visitation – Are They Related?
In the state of Texas, child support and visitation do not go hand-in-hand. A parent cannot withhold visitation due to non-payment of child support. Likewise, a parent cannot withhold child support to force visitation. Child support is normally paid to the custodial parent (the parent the child lives with) by the non-custodial parent (the […]
Divorce Mediation in Texas
Divorce Mediation is an important part of the divorce process in Texas. Divorce mediation involves a neutral party (the Mediator) working with a divorcing couple to help them reach an agreement on the issues in their case. The issues can be about child support, custody and visitation, dividing property and spousal support. A Mediator is not […]
Splitting Debts, Creating Prenups and Post-nups
There is one key principle to remember when splitting debts in a divorce. Any agreement reached involving the assignment of a debt is binding between the spouses. Generally, the agreement does not extend to creditors. A proper divorce settlement will take several factors into account, such as: when the debt was acquired; the […]
QDRO’s & Intangible Property
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 […]
Heather Tessmer Receives Honors
Heather Tessmer, owner of Tessmer Law Firm, P.L.L.C., was recently chosen for the following honors: 2016 Top Lawyer – S.A. Scene Magazine 2016 Top Personal Injury Lawyer – S.A. Scene Magazine NAWBO San Antonio Board of Directors St. Mary’s Law Alumni Association Board of Directors Way to go Heather! Keep up the good […]
Division of Property in a Texas Divorce
In the division of property in a Texas divorce, there are two kinds of property to be considered: 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 […]
Frequently Asked Questions on Common Law Marriage in Texas
We have complied a list of the most frequently asked questions on the subject of common law – or informal – marriage in Texas. Remember, in order to have a common law marriage a couple must: live together as man and wife in Texas; agree to be married; and represent themselves as married in Texas. […]
