Posted on December 22, 2023 in Family Law

When an adoption is finalized, all legal parental rights transfer fully to the adoptive parents as outlined in court orders. However, biological parents may still try to insert themselves into the child’s life afterward, potentially causing confusion and disruption. Handling this sensitive situation properly is key to preserving adoption rights. A Texas family law lawyer can help you if you find yourself in this situation.

Reiterate the Adoption Order’s Custody Transfer

If the biological parent attempts contact, politely reference the adoption order showing that as the legal parents, only you have the authority to make decisions related to visitation, information access, medical care, education, and similar issues. Explain further contact attempts violate the order. Then state you will pursue formal cease and desist measures if the behavior continues. Re-establishing proper custody boundaries may deter further oversteps.

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 Posted on December 11, 2023 in Divorce

Going through a divorce is difficult enough emotionally. But when a lot of money in assets accumulated over a long marriage enters the equation, the financial complexities and stakes intensify tremendously. You deserve to be prepared, and a Texas lawyer can help.

Understanding the Complexities

High-net-worth divorces involve additional complexities and higher stakes compared to standard proceedings. With significant marital assets like businesses, investments, luxury real estate, retirement accounts, expensive collections, and similar in play, it becomes critical to have an attorney well-versed in protecting and pursuing complex financial assets. Be prepared for disputes on asset valuation and creative attempts to hide wealth. While it can be complex to deal with, it is beneficial to be prepared.

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 Posted on November 28, 2023 in Divorce

Having child support withheld can create major financial stress and hurt a child’s well-being. If your child’s other parent is violating a support order issued by a Texas court, take action to enforce it. A Texas lawyer can help you fight for the child support you are owed.

File for Enforcement

You have legal options if child support is not paid. File a motion with the court that issued the support order requesting enforcement. Include payment history showing nonpayment and ask that payments be deducted from the parent’s paycheck or other sources.

Request a Contempt Order

Ask the court to hold the nonpaying parent in contempt for disobeying a court order. This can result in fines or jail time until compliance. A contempt finding also goes on their record, which can impact future child-related proceedings.

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 Posted on November 07, 2023 in Child Custody

When couples divorce, one of the most difficult issues they face is agreeing on a child custody arrangement. It is stressful enough navigating a separation, and when you and your spouse strongly disagree on who gets custodial rights, the process can become extremely overwhelming. A Texas lawyer can help you through the process so custody will be in the best interest of everyone, but more importantly, the children involved. There are steps you can take to resolve the custody dispute in your child’s best interests.

Try Mediation First

The courts will order you and your spouse to attempt mediation before taking the custody issue to trial. Mediation provides a chance to work through differences with the guidance of a trained, neutral third party. Make sure you go prepared by:

• Considering your child’s needs above all else.

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 Posted on October 24, 2023 in Family Law

In Texas adoptions, the birth father’s legal rights heavily influence his ability to contest and potentially block an adoption. The specific laws can vary depending on whether the birth father was married or unmarried to the birth mother. Understanding the differences is vital. A Texas lawyer can help you figure out your rights.

Rights of Married Birth Fathers

If a child is born to legally married parents in Texas, consent of both the mother and father is required for adoption to proceed. However, there are potential grounds for terminating a married father’s parental rights against his wishes, such as:

• Abandonment of the child for over six months
• Child or spousal abuse and family violence criminal convictions

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 Posted on October 06, 2023 in Divorce

Texas law takes a restrictive approach to awarding spousal maintenance or alimony after a divorce compared to other states. Permanent lifetime alimony used to be extremely rare. However, recent legislative changes have made it possible for some spouses in Texas to obtain longer term spousal support in certain circumstances. A Texas lawyer can help you determine if this is the best option for your situation.

Spousal Maintenance in Texas

The Texas Family Code provides for court-ordered spousal maintenance payments in some divorces to help provide financial support for an ex-spouse transitioning to self-sufficiency. Possible scenarios include temporary support ordered during divorce proceedings, short-term rehabilitative maintenance, contractual alimony agreed to mutually by the spouses in a settlement, and ongoing maintenance ordered by the judge after the divorce is finalized.

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 Posted on September 18, 2023 in Divorce

Life can take unexpected twists and turns and it is important to be ready for them. The last thing you may ever have thought you would need to address is what to do if your partner passes away during your divorce. But if your partner is currently suffering from a chronic illness, this event may not seem so far away. 

If you are facing the prospect of a partner who has passed on in the middle of the divorce process, it is important to be well-informed. We suggest you contact a lawyer who can answer your questions and concerns. At Brandon Wong & Associates, you can rest assured that you are in good hands. We make every effort to establish a welcoming atmosphere where all questions are treated with concern and care and will handle your case with the sensitivity it deserves.

What is the Next Step After the Death of a Partner During Divorce?

Having your partner die during your divorce is certainly unusual, but the law in the Lone Star State dictates what should happen next on these rare occasions. According to Texas state law, if one partner passes away before the case is resolved, the divorce is dismissed. This means that the case will not proceed in court. Instead, a lawyer will officially report that their client has died. The living partner will then be viewed as a widowed individual rather than someone who went through the divorce process.

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 Posted on September 12, 2023 in Divorce

Of all your assets, it is probable that the worth of your house is the most valuable. It is also likely a place where you feel comfortable and at ease. Because it is of great importance, you may be worried about this issue. If you are in the process of getting a divorce, you might wonder: Will you receive the rights to your house?

Like most areas of law, the answer to this question is not simple. But, with dedication and effort, a suitable answer can be discovered. In order to find a solution that aligns with your needs, we suggest you contact a Texas lawyer who can assist you. Here at Brandon Wong & Associates, we are here to help you navigate your journey.

House Allocation: The Relevant Options

In the state of Texas, all property acquired during a marriage is considered "community property." This means that in the eyes of the law, all assets bought during a union belong to both partners. Since both partners are typically the owners of the home, the question remains: Who will receive the property?

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 Posted on August 22, 2023 in Divorce

If you are required to pay child support, and you have lost your job, you may be wondering about how your obligations will be affected. It is important to understand that until a child support modification order is issued by the court, you cannot stop making child support payments.

The Legal Obligation to Pay Child Support

The state of Texas has put guidelines in place to determine child support payments based on factors like the income earned by parents and the number of children. Once an order for child support has been put in place by the court system, it is legally binding until it is modified or terminated through proper channels. Losing your job does not automatically relieve you of your requirement to pay child support. You must keep making payments as ordered, and if you miss any payments, these amounts will be owed until they are paid in full.

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 Posted on August 07, 2023 in Divorce

Getting a divorce can be a complex process, and the division of marital assets can be one issue that may lead to contentious disputes and concerns about inappropriate behavior. In some cases, one spouse may attempt to conceal or hide assets during a couple’s divorce proceedings. This can have serious consequences for the other party, since it may affect their ability to receive a fair share of the marital estate.

In Texas, spouses are required to disclose all their assets and debts during divorce proceedings. However, despite this legal obligation, some individuals may choose to hide certain assets in an attempt to minimize their financial obligations or secure more favorable terms in a property settlement. A person who suspects that their spouse has engaged in this type of behavior will need to understand how to address these issues and ensure that all forms of marital property will be considered correctly during their divorce.

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