609 W. Young St. #2, Llano, TX 78643
Burnet - By Appointment Only
325-216-2006
Recent Blog Posts
Can an Unmarried Father Get Custody of His Child in Texas?
Nothing compares to the excitement and sense of trepidation a man has when he finds out that he is having a child for the first time. Whether planned or unplanned, married or unmarried, fathers play a crucial role in their children's lives. Whenever it would be in the child's best interests, Texas law encourages both parents to be actively involved in a child’s upbringing. For fathers who are not married to the mother of their child, however, getting parental rights can be a little more complicated. If you recently found out that you are, or will be, a father, you probably want to know as much as you can about custody laws in Llano County for unmarried fathers.
Does an Unmarried Father Have Automatic Custody Rights?
The short answer to this question is no. Until a man establishes paternity, he does not have a legal relationship with a child, even if he is certain he is the biological father. When parents are married to each other, a father automatically has paternity over any children born to them. But when a couple is unmarried, paternity must be established in one of two ways:
Four Tips for Keeping Your Llano County Divorce Private
Regardless of how confident you feel in your decision to get divorced in Texas, you likely are hoping that the details of your divorce will remain as private as possible. Unfortunately, neighbors, friends, and busybodies are often interested in the details of a couple’s divorce, and this is especially true if the couple has a high net worth or maintains a public profile.
Because divorce decrees are legal documents that are filed in court with a judge’s approval, they are technically public records which may be accessed by anyone. Nevertheless, with the help of a skilled Texas divorce attorney, there are things you can do to keep your divorce details more private.
Mark Sensitive Data
When a divorce document contains personal information, such as a driver’s license number or social security number, you can ask the court to keep that record private. The consequences of this information being available can result in identity theft, so courts willingly keep documents with sensitive information out of the public record.
Can I Legally Leave My Child Alone at Home or in My Car to Run Errands in Llano County?
Every parent is familiar with the following situation: You have a couple of small errands to run, and the process will take far less time if you can just leave the kids at home or dash into the post office while the kids are in the car. Buckling, unbuckling, dealing with coats and shoes, and the likelihood of constant whining can make even the most patient parent dread running into the grocery store for milk.
Many parents choose to leave their children at home alone or in the car for a few minutes while they take care of their to-do list. These parents may be surprised to return to the car to find a concerned observer accompanied by a squad car - and even more surprised when they get charged with a Class C misdemeanor. If you are a parent with young children in Texas and you have been charged for leaving your child alone, consider getting help from a criminal defense attorney.
When Can I Leave My Child in the Car Alone?
Texas law explicitly prohibits leaving a child alone in a vehicle for more than five minutes under the following circumstances:
What is a Child Custody Evaluation in Texas?
If you are seeking to establish a conservatorship or you are in the middle of a divorce that involves child custody arrangements, you may find yourself in a situation where a child custody evaluation is ordered. For some parents, this news can be daunting, but when you enter the situation equipped with an understanding of what child custody evaluations entail, you might feel more reassured at the time of the evaluation.
Child Custody Evaluation Definition
A child custody evaluation is typically a court-ordered assessment used to look closely at a child's family dynamics and living environment. However, evaluations can also be requested by a parent or parents. Either way, a child custody evaluation can be thought of as a test of reassurance in which the court seeks confirmation that the living arrangements and home environment of a child or children are safe for them. Child custody evaluations are often ordered in situations regarding parenting plans or prior to conservatorship decisions in Texas.
What Happens If You Are Charged With a Sex Crime in Texas?
It can be overwhelming to face criminal charges alone - especially when the charges are for a sex crime. Given the weight that a sex crime carries, this is not a situation that anyone takes lightly.
One of the most common questions that we hear is, “What are the consequences of being charged with a sex crime?” In order to understand the potential ramifications of a sex crime charge, it helps to first familiarize yourself with what a sex crime entails and what to do if you are charged with one.
What is a Sex Crime?
If you are charged with a sex crime in Texas, you may be worried that the outcome of this experience will follow you for the rest of your life. With an experienced attorney on your side, your lawyer may be able to build a case that defends your name and seeks to prevent long-term consequences of the sex crime charge.
However, in order to craft a case in your favor, your lawyer will need to know what you have been charged with officially. There are many different types of sex crimes in Texas.
Three Facts About the Right of First Refusal in a Texas Parenting Plan
All parents who get divorced in Texas or who seek to establish or modify a court-approved custody order must create a “parenting plan.” A parenting plan establishes important details about the parents’ relationship to the child, including the division of possession of and access to the child (physical custody).
One important part of a parenting plan that benefits many parents in Texas is something called “the right of first refusal.” Understanding the right of first refusal and whether you want it in your parenting plan is an important step in creating a plan that benefits you and your child.
What is the Right of First Refusal?
The right of first refusal is an optional clause in a parenting plan that requires parents to use each other as babysitters before seeking help from other childcare providers. That being said, the right of first refusal can be as flexible or rigid as parents want it to be. The basic idea is that children will be able to maximize time spent with both parents while minimizing conflict between parents.
Premarital Agreements in Llano County: What You Should Know
Prenuptial agreements or premarital agreements are often misunderstood. Some people think that these useful legal contracts are only needed for extremely wealthy couples. Others assume that only those with little faith in their relationship’s long-term sustainability would sign a prenup. In reality, prenuptial agreements can benefit couples of all income levels and lifestyles. Furthermore, signing a prenuptial agreement does not mean that a spouse plans to eventually divorce. Couples with strong, healthy relationships frequently use premarital agreements to define property rights and financial expectations during the marriage.
Legal Protections Offered by Prenuptial Agreements
Many people are initially hesitant to even consider signing a prenuptial agreement because the contract largely deals with divorce concerns like property division and spousal support. However, it is important to realize that even the best marriages sometimes end. Even if a couple never divorces, premarital agreements can address property rights upon a spouse’s death.
When Do Parents Need to Legally Establish Paternity in Texas?
Every child has two parents. However, there are some situations where a parent may not be legally recognized as a child’s parent. This usually occurs when parents are unmarried, although there may be other situations where a person who is believed to be a child’s biological father does not have a legally established relationship with the child. In these cases, paternity will need to be legally established. Paternity can be a crucial element of protecting a father’s rights, and it will also ensure that both of a child’s legal parents will be obligated to provide the child with financial support. By understanding when it may be necessary to establish paternity and the procedures for doing so, parents can make sure they are taking steps to protect their rights and their child’s best interests.
Presumption of Paternity in Texas
Texas law outlines several situations where a man will be presumed to be the legal father of a child:
Do I Have to Take a Breathalyzer Test During a DWI Traffic Stop?
Being pulled over by a police officer can be a stressful and troubling experience, regardless of the possible violations that a driver may be charged with. Those who are pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving may be looking at serious penalties if they are arrested on DWI charges. A DWI conviction can result in significant fines, time in prison, and the loss of one’s driver’s license. Because of this, drivers may wonder about their options when an officer asks them to take a breathalyzer test that will measure the alcohol in their system. By understanding whether these tests can be refused and the potential consequences of doing so, drivers can make the right decisions that will help them minimize the possible penalties they may face.
Implied Consent, Roadside Breathalyzer Tests, and Other Chemical Tests
Texas, like most states, uses the principle of “implied consent” when addressing permission to take chemical tests of a person’s blood alcohol levels. According to the state’s laws, a person who is arrested based on the suspicion that they have operated a motor vehicle on a public road while they were intoxicated is deemed to have consented to give a breath or blood sample that can be used to determine their blood alcohol content (BAC).
How is Property Divided in a Texas Divorce?
Divorce can have a massive impact on spouses’ finances. If you are thinking about divorce, you may have questions about how your assets and debts will be divided. Will you get to keep your home? Which spouse will retain ownership of the vehicles? What about retirement accounts and investments? The answers to these questions are not always clear. That is why it is always a good idea to work with an experienced divorce lawyer to receive advice catered to your unique situation. Read on to learn about property division laws in Texas and how these laws may apply to your case.
Spouses May Reach an Out-of-Court Agreement on Property
Both spouses jointly hold property and debts that were accumulated during the marriage - with a few exceptions. Dividing property and debts is often one of the most consequential aspects of the divorce case. If you and your spouse are on relatively good terms, you may be able to reach your own property division agreement. Your lawyer may be able to help you negotiate a property division settlement without court intervention. However, you may need to consult with financial professionals such as appraisers and accountants to ensure that your property division agreement makes sense given your particular situation.
From our offices Llano and Burnet, our law firm serves clients in Marble Falls, Johnson City, Blanco, Fredericksburg, San Saba, Llano County, Burnet County, Mason County, Lampasas County, Blanco County, Mills County, Gillespie County, and throughout Central Texas.
Contact Our Firm
The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.
I have read and understand the Disclaimer and Privacy Policy.
