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Texas Family Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Civil Rights for Texas on
Q: can my parent kick me out the house and not let me get my belongings if im 18?

i live with my aunt and 8 OTHERS IN A 4 BEROOM HOUSE..i went to her and told her (mind you im 18) that im moving out bc i got in trouble and she is now controlling me with her "house rules" no one else has to follow but ME. i am afraid she'll kick me out if i try and take the phone i... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 24, 2024

As an 18-year-old, you have legal rights to your belongings, even if you're living with family members. If your aunt kicks you out, she cannot withhold your possessions from you. It is your right to retrieve your clothes, shoes, personal items, and anything else that belongs to you or your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Texas on
Q: How do I get a divorce if I live in another country?

I am an American citizen with permanent residency in Ecuador and she is Ecuadorian. We were married in Texas because it was easier and I used to live there. I understand the Texas residency requirements for filing a divorce, but what can a person do if they reside in a foreign country? Is an... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 23, 2024

You can get divorced in Ecuador since you are a permanent resident of Ecuador now.

Texas, and other U.S. states, will recognize a divorce from another nation under the principle of comity as long as the procedures in the other country provide a satisfactory level of due process. Typically,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Texas on
Q: Can case me modified to use Texas laws ?

The custodial parent has moved to Texas from another state with our child. Neither custodial or non custodial parent live in the state that has jurisdiction over our case. I had moved from that state over 10 years ago.

Can we get the case jurisdiction transferred to Texas now that neither... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 23, 2024

Yes. If you have a pending proceeding in the other state, the party filing that proceeding can non-suit the proceeding and refile it here in Texas.

A modification of an out-of-state custody order will be determined under Texas law because Texas is now the home state of the child....
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2 Answers | Asked in Adoption and Family Law for Texas on
Q: If I file a non suit for a family civil suit will I still have to go to a hearing to grant the non suit?

The family civil suit is an adoption/Termination of parental rights. I filled a motion to transfer to move the case from on county to another due to moving and a hearing was set in the county four hours away. I cant go to the hearing and want to just nonsuit the case and restart everything in the... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 23, 2024

Yes, you can. And it actually makes sense if you haven't gotten very far in the process yet in the original county. If the case is transferred, you will likely have to pay a new filing fee for the new county anyway. You will, however, have to pay again to issue citation and serve the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Texas on
Q: At what age can a child choose who they want to live with?

And if the dad doesn't have his own place and live with 8 other people in a 2 bedroom trailer house can he still get custody of the child?

Penny Wymyczak-White
Penny Wymyczak-White
answered on Feb 22, 2024

A judge can confer with the child at the age of 12 but the judge does not have to honor the child's wishes. The judge determines what the best interest of the child. Father could still get custody even if he only has two bedrooms. It is best to work custody cases out. If you go to... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Texas on
Q: At what age can a child choose who they want to live with?

And if the dad doesn't have his own place and live with 8 other people in a 2 bedroom trailer house can he still get custody of the child?

Rafee'a S. Majeed
Rafee'a S. Majeed
answered on Feb 22, 2024

A child can decide who they want to live with at the age of 18, when they are no longer considered a minor. In Texas, a Judge is required to speak with a child on who they would prefer to live with when that child reaches the age of 12. Between the ages of 10-12, the Judge can determine if... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Texas on
Q: Subject: Preemptive Protective Order Issue

Subject: Seeking Legal Advice: Preemptive Protective Order Issue

Hi,

I'm reaching out for legal advice regarding a potential preemptive protective order issue in Austin, TX. Our relationship has ended, and a split is imminent. I suspect that my soon-to-be ex will continue to... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 21, 2024

There is no such thing as a preemptive protective order. A protective order is a serious matter that can substantially affect a person against whom one is granted. There must be credible evidence of family violence or threatened family violence. With respect to threatened family violence, it... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Texas on
Q: If a man is considered a noncustodial parent, what can he do to change that?

My boyfriend's lawyer, while my boyfriend was in prison, said it would be best to sign as noncustodial parent. He is out now, and doing the right things to live a good life and wants to have rights to his daughter again. What steps need to be taken to make this happen? Who can we call? We... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 21, 2024

In order to change the custody arrangement, your boyfriend will need to file a SAPCR ("suit affecting the parent-child relationship") seeking a modification of the current custody arrangement with the court in the county where the child lives in California. While the outcome of every... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for Texas on
Q: I just received my final decree signed by Judge but how do I know how am I receiving my child support and change of name
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 21, 2024

The Decree should include the name change if you asked for your name to be changed and the judge granted it. You should register your child support account with the State Disbursement Unit which is where your decree should be requiring the obligor (or his employer if you also have a wage... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Juvenile Law for Texas on
Q: I’m 17. I don’t want to live with my toxic mom anymore and i told her that im moving out and she got mad and said that s

I’m 17. I don’t want to live with my toxic mom anymore and i told her that im moving out and she got mad and said that shes not giving me permission to be emancipation and i said that i dont need her permission and she got mad. I been doing my research and it says in dallas texas that i have to... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 19, 2024

In a suit for emancipation of a minor, a parent of the minor must verify the petition. Your attorney will need to ask you questions proving that you are able to support yourself and manage your own financial affairs. You may want to introduce evidence of your job and earnings to show you have... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Arbitration / Mediation Law, Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for Texas on
Q: I was sued for divorce in Jan 2023. I retained an attorney who failed to get a continuance granted, and I lost all righ

She attempted suicide 12/23/23. Woke up and bit my abdomen, an agg assault I have not supplemented the report with. She destroyed our 2700sf home in front of my 16yo daughter and 19 yo son, as well as our then 1.5yo.. she smashed glass all over the tiled floors and my daughter’s bathtub. She... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 19, 2024

It is unclear what your question is. With the exception of a legislative continuance (which would not apply in December 2023), continuances are usually within the sound discretion of the trial judge. In my experience, most trial judges are more likely to grant a trial continuance if the case has... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for Texas on
Q: Can the court find you in contempt, and in jail if the dates that they’re finding you and contempt are incorrect?

My child is going to be 20 this year and they are trying to put me in jail for something that happened in 2021 on incorrect dates. Over back child support

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 16, 2024

This question as worded is too vague to answer. The correct date may or may not be material to the contempt finding. For example, if the contempt order says you failed to timely make a child support payment of $1,000 due on January 2, 2023, but your child support payment was actually due on... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Arbitration / Mediation Law, Divorce and Family Law for Texas on
Q: If my ex husband is doing what is required from the divorce, what can I do and who do I go to?

He’s NOT doing what he’s supposed to. Is there anything as far as penalties?

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 13, 2024

Yes. You should contact your divorce lawyer to file a motion to enforce, motion to clarify, motion for contempt, or suit for indemnity depending on what it is your ex-husband is not doing that he was ordered to do. Possible outcomes depend on the specific facts and circumstances of your case and... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce, Domestic Violence and Family Law for Texas on
Q: The other parent and I are married. We don’t have any custody order. The other parent keeps denying the child but…

took a dna test and it came back that the child is his. I haven’t had support at all since separating and now he’s asking for another test but, at this point I don’t want to deal with him. The non custodial parent denies to do anything regarding support or seeing the child. There’s abuse in... View More

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Feb 12, 2024

You should contact an attorney who regularly practices in your county family court. It sounds if you wish to file for divorce. This Attorney can help prepare divorce complaint and the motion for temporary orders including spousal support and child support. This will come at a substantial cost,... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Texas on
Q: Terminating Parental Rights

Is there a Publication for Termination of Parental Rights? I’m not sure where the man is and I’m over trying to negotiate with him.

Rafee'a S. Majeed
Rafee'a S. Majeed
answered on Feb 9, 2024

Yes, you can petition the court to allow you to serve the Father via publication in a Termination of Parental Rights lawsuit. You will need to attach an affidavit to your petition stating the steps that you've taken to attempt to locate the Father.

I hope this information helps. Good luck to you.

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Texas on
Q: My husband is planning to tank my credit.

My husband is leaving me, no divorce, just up and disappearing and has said he is going to ruin my credit. We have a mortgage and a car in both our names plus I have a car in just my name. I can not afford all three on my own plus other bills. I don’t even think I can afford the mortgage plus... View More

Rafee'a S. Majeed
Rafee'a S. Majeed
answered on Feb 9, 2024

Since both of your names are on these debts, you are both responsible for the obligations. If you believe that he will follow through with the threat, the best option for you is to file for divorce to minimize the damage to your credit.

In a divorce, if the house is community property, the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce, Landlord - Tenant and Family Law for Texas on
Q: Need help with a complex divorce question involving false allegations, eviction attempts, and the removal from my home.

On Dec 14, plaintiff sought an emergency protective order, denied. Dec 15, withdrew $1,500 from joint account, advised by non-lawyer family member. Attempts to evict from family home by grandmother; we are neighbors and they're landlords. Dec 18, files for divorce, citing ability to pay and... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 8, 2024

Since you are in North Richland Hills, I recommend Trey Harris in Fort Worth or Carla Rankin in Rockwall. Both are highly regarded, competent and experienced lawyers who practice heavily in the area of family law.

Your question does not disclose what makes your divorce case complex. I...
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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for Texas on
Q: Why am I being asked to take a paternity test for child conceived last year, after being divorced for 7 years?

We have been divorced for 7 years and share one child together that was conceived while we were married. She just had a baby last year and has been living with the same man for more than 5 years. I received a court order saying I need to take a paternity test for a child that is 4 months old when I... View More

Rafee'a S. Majeed
Rafee'a S. Majeed
answered on Feb 9, 2024

If you are being asked to take a paternity test after you've already been divorce, that likely means that your ex-wife is asserting that you are the father of the child. It may be beneficial for you to take the paternity test to have documented proof that you are not the father of the child.

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for Texas on
Q: My wife left the last page of the divorce petition unsigned, where she was to send a certified copy to the OAG. Invalid?

She also claimed there was an active protective order against me, and waived the 60 day period. This is also incorrect. She was denied such an order yet still chose to lie and say that there had been family violence in our marriage. She also lied about an affidavit of inability to pay, which I can... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 8, 2024

No, it doesn't "invalidate" the petition. The omission of a signature is a curable defect.

You should file an answer and offer evidence that a protective order was NOT granted and that there has NOT been any family violence in your marriage.

As for the affidavit of...
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1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law and Family Law for Texas on
Q: As Power of Attorney for my mother, am I liable for charges for her stay in a nursing home?
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 7, 2024

No. A power of attorney authorizes another person (the "attorney-in-fact") to act on behalf of the person signing the POA (the "principle") with respect to the matters identified in the POA.

While a POA might authorize you to write a check from your mother's bank...
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