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Questions Answered by Rahlita D. Thornton
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Texas on
Q: I have a serious question my son grandmother has threatened me since I gave birth she thinks she can take him for 3 days

She said if I don't give her my son for 3 days she will take me to court and take him from me keep in mind my son father is alive and in the picture. I do let her come visit him whenever she wants. The other day I had my family over and told her to not come over cause she has cause problems... View More

Rahlita D. Thornton
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Rahlita D. Thornton
answered on Dec 5, 2018

You should not have to live in fear from your child's grandmother. In general without any court orders in place you owe her no duty to allow her visits. If she is being harassing consider filing charges with the police. Also, it is a good idea to get orders in place for specific periods of... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Wrongful Death for Texas on
Q: If my dad was killed while on work release duty from prison, can I file a wrongful death claim or will the fact that he

is incarcerated preclude a lawsuit?

Rahlita D. Thornton
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Rahlita D. Thornton
answered on Dec 4, 2018

First, sorry for your loss. The answer depends on a lot. It depends on the facts of the incident. How did this occur? What happened? When did it occur? We would be available to speak to you concerning the answers to these questions.

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2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury for Georgia on
Q: Is the statute of limitations different for children's injuries versus adult's?
Rahlita D. Thornton
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Rahlita D. Thornton
answered on Dec 4, 2018

Generally there are rules that vary for adults vs. minors. Consult with an attorney in your area to find out the specifics.

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2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Insurance Bad Faith for Texas on
Q: Liberty Mutual Insurance just totaled my vehicle, but I believe my car is worth more. What can I do?
Rahlita D. Thornton
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Rahlita D. Thornton
answered on Dec 4, 2018

If you believe that your vehicle is worth more then we would negotiate for the higher amount. We would do our own evaluation with your input. First, make sure that you have exhausted all options. We represent those who are injured and have for many years so if you have any more questions please... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Alabama on
Q: If i was in a head on collusion, but dont know who was at fault, what should i do?
Rahlita D. Thornton
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Rahlita D. Thornton
answered on Dec 3, 2018

You should consult an attorney who handles car accident cases and provide them with as much information as you have. You may also be able to retrieve the police report from the investigating police entity. If you do not know then consider contacting the police in your area. We hope that you are... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Texas on
Q: What are my options with my sons father who has never been in his life wants part of the settlement for my sons death
Rahlita D. Thornton
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Rahlita D. Thornton
answered on Dec 2, 2018

This may be of some help:

Sec. 71.004. BENEFITTING FROM AND BRINGING ACTION. (a) An action to recover damages as provided by this subchapter is for the exclusive benefit of the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased.

(b) The surviving spouse, children, and...
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2 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation, Divorce and Family Law for Texas on
Q: My son signed a mediated settlement agreement he was uner duress and felt that he had to sign because he had arrest for

Misdemeanor possession of controlled substance they want urine and hair follicle test before he can visit his kids is this legal

Rahlita D. Thornton
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Rahlita D. Thornton
answered on Dec 1, 2018

Generally, mediated settlement agreements are binding on all parties who signed the agreement. With the limited information provided it is probably unlikely that he can get out of that agreement.

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Texas on
Q: I'm dealing with cps and my daughter is in foster care for 7 months now how can I sign over guardianship?
Rahlita D. Thornton
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Rahlita D. Thornton
answered on Nov 30, 2018

Who do you want to sign guardianship over to? Is it to the foster caregiver? If so, CPS would normally take care of those issues. Just make sure that the specifics of what you are doing is read and understood. It appears that you do not want to give up your daughter permanently so be careful in... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Texas on
Q: I was served divorce papers in Brazoria county on November 14th 2018. When do I have to respond?
Rahlita D. Thornton
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Rahlita D. Thornton
answered on Nov 30, 2018

If you do not have a hearing date that you were served with then the standard is the Monday which will follow the elapsing of 20 days. Begin counting with November 15th. If there is a hearing date of any sort before then then you have to appear as well before the time passes however.

2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury, Workers' Compensation and Employment Law for Texas on
Q: Can employer force you to file a workers comp claim for an injury that occurred outside of work, not in the work place?

Only one day of work was missed, and the employee was fine to return to work the next day. The injury was unrelated to the job, happened outside of work; and the employee doesn't need workers compensation, just a day to rest at home and take some medication. Can the employee refuse the... View More

Rahlita D. Thornton
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Rahlita D. Thornton
answered on Dec 2, 2018

One of the reasons employees file workers comp claims is to get paid for lost income and medicals. So, more than likely it will be of no consequence that one refuses to file the claim.

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Texas on
Q: Does my dad legally own my snapchat account as a 17 year old minor in the state of texas?

I have a snapchat account and my dad claims he can terminate the account or acquire the password through the court system. Is it my intellectual property? Does he have a legal claim to my account?

Rahlita D. Thornton
PREMIUM
Rahlita D. Thornton
answered on Nov 28, 2018

Unfortunately, 17 is not considered the age of majority in Texas, 18 is. Further, Snapchat may have their own rules on age requirements for certain items. Hopefully, you can communicate with your father to help him understand your desires and come to some common ground. Good luck.

1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims and Car Accidents for Texas on
Q: Can someone in us take legal action for something that happened in mexico?

A person crashed me in juarez mx and the insurance she gave me was not valid what legal action can i take?

Rahlita D. Thornton
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Rahlita D. Thornton
answered on Nov 28, 2018

You need to hire a lawyer in Mexico where it occurred for a proper answer. Laws differ in Mexico and the United States.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Texas on
Q: I am trying to find help with a family law case involving trying to see my daughter

There are to many details to list it is a weird case

Rahlita D. Thornton
PREMIUM
Rahlita D. Thornton
answered on Nov 28, 2018

Every child should have their parents involved in their lives if the parents desire to do so. You have rights that have to be spelled out by the courts if they are not already done. These rules will depend upon whether there is a case pending already. So, if there are orders in place one could... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law for Texas on
Q: We have a court order to use a app to communicate when we cannot get along. Is he in contempt for refusing to use this?

I have in text him saying he refuses to use the app. I have since blocked his phone number due to harassing messages. Told him to use the app.

Rahlita D. Thornton
PREMIUM
Rahlita D. Thornton
answered on Nov 27, 2018

If your order states that the parties are to communicate through the app then that is what each party needs to abide by. Keep documenting and communicating through the app and do not let him bully you into doing otherwise. Good luck with this situation.

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4 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury for Texas on
Q: If I was injured in a hit and run accident, is my only hope for compensation of my medical bills via my own insurance or

is there some other way to figure out the identity of that driver and bring them to justice?

Rahlita D. Thornton
PREMIUM
Rahlita D. Thornton
answered on Nov 26, 2018

Certainly, we can assist you in negotiating your claim. We can pursue other damages in addition to those for your medical bills if you have the appropriate coverage. Do you have uninsured motorists coverage? If so, feel free to give us a call as we handle accident claims nationwide.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury for Ohio on
Q: What other money damages besides medical bills are available in a personal injury lawsuit? I was in a train crash where

it derailed.

Rahlita D. Thornton
PREMIUM
Rahlita D. Thornton
answered on Nov 26, 2018

In serious accidents one can pursue several types of damages such as pain and suffering, mental and physical, lost wages and if permanently impaired wages to compensate for those. If PTSD and issue that should be addressed as well. We handle and negotiate claims nationwide. Feel free to contact... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Car Accidents for Illinois on
Q: If I develop depression as a result of being bed-ridden after two surgeries from a car accident, is that something I can

sue for as emotional distress?

Rahlita D. Thornton
PREMIUM
Rahlita D. Thornton
answered on Nov 26, 2018

When was your car accident and did you employ an attorney? Who was negligent in the accident? With those answers you can be provided better response. Thanks and sorry for the pain that you have to endure.

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1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Child Custody and Family Law for Texas on
Q: Does it sound like I have grounds for requesting joint custody with success? Terminating her rights?

CPS removed kids from Bio Mom in late 2011, my husband got them placed in his custody in early 2012 and in 2014 the case was finalized on the last order of 2013 temporary decision hearing for him having sole custody. Bio dad for the girl died before she was born. There is a history of physical... View More

Rahlita D. Thornton
PREMIUM
Rahlita D. Thornton
answered on Nov 24, 2018

This is a very technical legal case. I would suggest that you consult with an attorney in your area as on its face it appears that you have good arguments for your adopting them. Good luck in this matter.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Domestic Violence for Texas on
Q: In verbally/emotionally abusive relationship... what evidence is accepted in court? Audio/video recordings allowed?

I'm surviving an emotionally/psychologically/verbally abusive relationship. I'm trying to plan for a safe escape/divorce. I want to know how I may prove cruelty/abuse when I file for divorce. My husband emotionally/psychologically/verbally abuses me daily - if I leave voice recording... View More

Rahlita D. Thornton
PREMIUM
Rahlita D. Thornton
answered on Nov 24, 2018

If you think that you are in jeopardy of physical violence staying to get evidence is not advisable. You can file for divorce and get certain temporary orders in place to provide for payments of bills and rent/mortgage depending on your specific circumstances. The evidence can be reviewed and an... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Texas on
Q: Can I file contempt and motion to modify a temporary order at the same time. I'm pro se is there a form for contempt.

He is in contempt on a temp. injunction order he filed on me when I was in rehab out of state , I never received the citation for the hearing. I've tried everything to work this out with him and his attorney neither one is welling to come to an agreement on the final decree or anything. I cant... View More

Rahlita D. Thornton
PREMIUM
Rahlita D. Thornton
answered on Nov 24, 2018

Based on all of the various serious facts going on I would advise you to obtain a lawyer and figure out how to get them paid. You are just asking for more trouble by handling such high level legal facts on your own. Find out if there are any free legal services that may provide you assistance in... View More

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