With Strength And Compassion
Powers Kerr & Rashidi, PLLC
One of the most contentious issues faced by many couples going through a divorce is who will retain ownership of the family home. Texas is a community property state, which means that all assets acquired by a couple during their marriage must be divided equitably upon divorce. The family home falls under this category as well, which means that if…
Early this year, Senator Jane Nelson introduced a new bill that would give courts the right to terminate the parental rights of someone convicted of sexual assault. If passed, the new law could have significant repercussions on the rights of many Texas parents, so if you have questions about how the law could affect you, it is important to contact…
Even when a couple chooses not to officially get married, their relationship may qualify as a common law marriage. In these cases, separating couples are still required to go through the process of divorce, so if you have questions about whether your relationship qualifies as a common law marriage and what steps you need to take to obtain a divorce,…
During divorce proceedings, both parties are prohibited from committing marital waste. This means that neither spouse can intentionally waste any marital assets just so that the other does not receive them during the divorce. Although Texas law strictly forbids the dissipation of assets during the dissolution of a marriage, marital waste still can and does occur, so if you are…
In Texas, courts can order spousal maintenance if a party can establish that he or she lacks the ability to provide for his or her reasonable needs because of an incapacitating physical or mental disability. Demonstrating a disability for the purposes of receiving maintenance can be difficult, so if you are considering a divorce and have questions about your eligibility…
The adoption process allows children to join loving families who can offer them a safe and comfortable home. Unfortunately, the adoption process can be complex, time-consuming, and frustrating, so it is important for prospective parents to have the advice of an experienced Leander adoption attorney who can help ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible. Adoption Requirements In…
It is not uncommon for a child’s extended family to step in when the parents are unable to provide adequate care. Under the Kinship Care program offered by Child Protective Services (CPS), relatives are granted custody of children who cannot remain with their parents. Unfortunately, these individuals are often not compensated to the same degree as foster parents and so…
A new law, House Bill 453, was recently introduced in the Texas Legislature. If passed, the law would establish a presumption of equality between both fathers and mothers in regards to the division of parenting time during divorce proceedings. Technically, the legal presumption that favored mothers over fathers was eliminated in 1974. However, the law still provides that one parent…
In 1985, psychiatrist Richard Gardner coined the term parental alienation syndrome (PAS) to describe a set of behaviors exhibited by children whose parents deliberately attempt to turn them against the other parent through a variety of coercive or manipulative techniques. Unfortunately, PAS occurs at an alarming rate, especially during emotional and stressful divorces or disputes over child custody; as such,…
Those who choose to change their last name when they get married, but later decide to obtain a divorce, have the option of reverting to their maiden name as a part of the divorce proceedings. However, there are other methods of achieving this goal, so if you are a Texas resident, are going through a divorce, and want to legally…