Real Estate, Probate and Family Law Blog

The death of a loved one is a challenging time during which many legal matters must be settled. If the loved one, or decedent, made a will, the will should name an executor or person who is in charge of distributing all of the decedent’s assets among the beneficiaries. However, if the decedent also had debt or owned real estate that had liens on it, or if there’s conflict among the beneficiaries, a Texas probate attorney can give you professional help with the estate. The Hixson Law Firm of Arlington, Texas and its professional legal staff can help you figure out the complexities of probate law and get the estate settled in a way that’s fair to everyone involved.

Types of Probate

When settling some types of property, probate isn’t always necessary. For example, a life insurance policy can be paid without probate. However, for most estates, it is wise to go through probate court to make sure all debts are paid and the settlement of the estate is solid. In Texas, there is a four-year statute of limitations on probate cases. An estate can be settled independently, in which case the executor doesn’t need to be very involved with the probate court, or dependently, in which case there’s more court supervision.  In either case, an expert probate attorney can help you, the executor, to sort out the settlement of the estate. The Hixson Law Firm of Arlington, Texas, will give you the legal guidance you need to get this done so that there won’t be questions down the road.

Call to Schedule a Free Consultation with a Texas Probate Attorney Today

If you have lost a loved one and need help with settling the estate, call to schedule a free consultation with a Texas probate attorney today. The legal professionals at the Hixson Law Firm can help you figure out the value of the estate and deal with any debts or other matters that need settling. We serve the cities of Mansfield, Arlington and Grand Prairie, Texas, and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the probate process. Call us at (817) 261-5000 and let us help you to effectively settle your loved one’s estate.

It’s enough of a pain when your car breaks down, and you need to tie up time and money getting repairs.  But when the mechanic is dishonest and tells you that you need repairs that are not necessary, or when the cost estimate is inaccurate, there’s even more pain. Although you might feel like you’re totally at the mercy of the mechanic, it doesn’t have to be that way. A mechanics law attorney in Texas can help if you’ve been treated unfairly by a mechanic. The Hixson Law Firm of Texas understands the laws and regulations that affect car repairs and auto shops in Texas. Our expert legal staff will help you get justice if your mechanic has violated these laws.

Deceptive Practices Mechanics May Use

By law, you are entitled to an honest estimate and to have the work done within a reasonable amount of time that’s mutually agreed upon. Mechanics may not dishonestly tell you that you need work that does not need to be done. They can’t make unauthorized repairs and then hold you financially liable for them. If you believe this has been done to you, you are protected by UDAP laws, or Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices Statutes. If you believe you’ve been deceived or dealt with dishonestly by a mechanic, hiring a mechanics law attorney can get you the legal recourse you need. The Hixson Law Firm of Texas will be your advocate and defend your rights in your mechanics law case.

Call to Schedule a Free Consultation with a Mechanics Law Attorney in Texas Today

If you believe you have been treated unfairly by a mechanic, call to schedule a free consultation with a mechanics law attorney in Texas today. The Hixson Law Firm offers you the latest and best in legal representation when you’ve been deceived, overcharged, or have had ineffective repairs from a dishonest mechanic.  We serve the cities of Mansfield, Arlington and Grand Prairie, Texas, and we are eager to serve you, too. Call us at (817) 261-5000 and let us help you get fair treatment from your auto mechanic.

Whether you are contemplating the possibility of divorce or you are currently divorced and having challenges with child custody, a family law attorney in Texas may be able to help.  When there is a conflict between spouses in a divorce, and when there are minor children involved, legal issues can become complex and adversarial. That’s why an experienced family law attorney is someone you should turn to for help. The Hixson Law Firm of Texas has over twenty years of experience in working with family law matters and will use its skill and expertise to be your voice in your family law conflicts.

What Family Law Attorneys Do

Family law attorneys are knowledgeable in the area of the law that deals with interactions between family members and spouses. The state of Texas is stricter than some other states in its laws that regulate marriage, abortion, and other similar matters. So if your divorce is in Texas, it’s important to have an attorney who understands Texas laws. Family law attorneys handle matters of child custody and support, adoption, and alimony. In cases of abuse, they also handle protective orders and injunctions. When you are going through a difficult divorce, having competent and experienced legal representation is crucial. The Hixson Law Firm of Texas and its legal professionals will be your advocate during this tough time.

Call to Schedule a Free Consultation with a Family Law Attorney in Texas Today

If you’re thinking about a divorce, call to schedule a free consultation with a family law attorney in Texas today. Don’t try to go it alone, especially since your spouse probably already has an attorney who will defend their rights. The expert legal staff at the Hixson Law Firm understands all legal aspects of divorce, and we are dedicated to fighting for your rights. We serve the cities of Mansfield, Arlington, and Grand Prairie, Texas, and will evaluate your unique case to represent you effectively.  Call us at (817) 261-5000 and let us guide you through this legal journey.

Unfortunately, many marriages end in divorce in Texas. When this occurs, you need an experienced Texas divorce lawyer from Hixson Law Firm to represent you. This is an emotional time, and you need someone that is level headed to ensure your legal rights are protected and to guide you along the way. Every divorce is different, and we can take the necessary time to evaluate your situation to offer our expert legal advice. We try our best to get to terms that are fair and equitable for both parties.

Texas Divorce Laws

In order to file for divorce in the State of Texas, either spouse must be a resident for at least six months before filing. They also must have resided in the count that the petition is being filed for at least 90 days. The petitioner must give notice to the other spouse. If they don’t answer within 21 days from being served, the case is default. This is usually a 60-day waiting period from the date the petition is filed before a judge grants the final divorce decree in Texas. This isn’t required if the court finds someone guilty of domestic violence or there’s an active protection order against the other party.

A divorce can be granted if the marriage is a conflict of personalities, adultery has occurred, there’s been cruelty, one spouse commits a felony, or abandonment has occurred for at least one year. A divorce order will include information about child custody, support, assets division, and more.

Call to Schedule a Free Consultation with a Texas Divorce Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one is contemplating divorce, Hixson Law Firm can help. Our experienced divorce legal team can answer your questions about the legal process and laws in Texas. We serve all of Mansfield, Arlington and Grand Prairie, Texas. Call us today to schedule a free legal consultation at (817) 261-5000. We are ready and willing to serve you and your family.

Parents of minor children who are getting divorced or were never married must work out a legal arrangement that works best for the children. This usually means that the noncustodial parent must pay child support to the person who holds custody. With the help of our Texas family lawyer, you can ensure that you and your children’s legal rights are always protected. At Hixson Law Firm, we have years of experience and the necessary resources to help you to get the results that you need for your family. A change in financial support is known as child support modification.  

Child Support Laws

Your child support order in Texas is only eligible for modification only if one or more of the following applies to the situation:

• The monthly amount of the child support order differs by $100 from the amount that would be awarded or 20%
• The order was last modified or established more than three years ago.

Also, a modification only applies if the noncustodial parent’s income has increased or decreased. And they are legally responsible for other children and/or the child, or children’s insurance coverage has changed in some way. In order to execute child support modification, an in-office negotiation or a Child Support Review Process must be done. A court hearing may also occur. Informal agreements do not change the amount. This is only done by one of the two options above.

How Do I Modify My Child Support Order?

First gather all relevant information, including name and address of the other parent, copy of the original support order and the name and addresses of the child or children involved in the original order. With the help of our family lawyer, you can file a petition for child support modification. If the court rules in your favor, the modification becomes effective the date that the original petition was filed.

Call to Schedule a Free Consultation with a Texas Family Lawyer Today

If you’re interested in learning more about child support modification, call our experienced legal team today. The Hixson Law Firm serves the cities of Arlington, Grand Prairie and Mansfield, Texas. To schedule an appointment for a free consultation with a professional Texas family attorney, call (817) 261-5000 today.

When it comes to ending a relationship or a marriage, child support issues arise. With the help of our professional child custody attorney at Hixson Law Firm, we can work with you to get through these legal situations easily. Unless there is a prenuptial agreement intact, child support proceedings can take a long time. However, with the help of our experienced legal team, we can ensure that your legal rights are protected every step of the way.

How We Can Help

Our child support attorney will take time to look through your financial resorts and determine what each person contributed to the relationship or marriage. The more prepared you are, and the more documentation you bring, the more likely the process will go faster. When calculating these child support payments in Texas, the court must first determine the monthly net resources of the parent paying child support.

This will include everything minus federal income and state income tax, union dues, social security taxes, and health insurance expenses for the child or children. For monthly net resources less than $7,000, a percentage of the proceedings will be given, such as 20% to one child, 25% for two children, etc. This money can be used for the needs of the child, the cost of their insurance, schooling, etc. This child support order lasts until the child’s 18^th birthday. If this is in the middle of their school year, it continues until the end of the school year. Our legal team can also help with child support modification as well.

Hire a Texas Child Support Attorney Today to Protect Your Parental Rights

If you or a loved one needs help with child support in the State of Texas, it’s time to hire a professional child support lawyer to represent you. Hixson Law Firm serves Arlington, Grand Prairie and Mansfield, Texas. Call us today to schedule a free legal consultation to discuss child custody at (817) 261-5000.

Laws are set up so that public safety is protected, and citizens are obligated to not jeopardize that safety. Sometimes, however, people are negligent, and their behavior results in harm to others. If this has happened to you, you have the right to file a civil lawsuit. By doing this, you may be able to get compensation for the damages that were done to you. A civil law attorney can help you to file this type of lawsuit in the state of Texas. The Hixson Law Firm of Texas and its professional legal staff are dedicated to giving you a voice. We will evaluate your case and determine whether you can obtain legal compensation.

How a Civil Lawsuit Works

Civil law is a different area of law than criminal law. You need not be working in the area of law enforcement to bring a civil lawsuit against someone.  Anyone may file a civil lawsuit if there has been negligence of some kind. The first step is to file a complaint with a court. Once that is done, the discovery process starts. During Discovery, the defendant, or person being sued, and the plaintiff, or person filing the suit, gather evidence to support their side. For example, if the lawsuit is regarding a personal injury caused by some defective product, the plaintiff will gather medical records of treatment for the injury. A legal professional from the Hixson Law Firm of Texas can plead your case in court and help you win compensation for damages caused to you by the defendant.

Call to Schedule a Free Consultation with a Civil Law Attorney in Texas Today

If you have been harmed by the negligence of another, call to schedule a free consultation with a civil law attorney in Texas today.  Let the Hixson Law Firm help you hold those who have harmed you accountable for their actions and give you a legal voice. We serve the cities of Mansfield, Arlington and Grand Prairie, Texas, and we are dedicated to representing you.  Call us at (817) 261-5000 and let us be your advocate.

Ultimately, taking the time to prepare with a thought-out estate plan that consists of a will or a living trust is one of the best things you can do for your family. Professional Texas attorneys such as John Hixson have been helping families do that for years in Arlington and the surrounding community. This helps your loved ones to grieve without having to make important decisions or deal with lengthy paperwork at a difficult time.

Understanding The Differences Between Wills & Trusts

One main difference between wills and trusts in Texas is that one goes into effect after someone dies and the other takes effects as soon as it is created (a trust). A will is a legal document that directs who will receive property at someone’s death. It also appoints a legal representative to carry out the wishes of the will. While a trust is used to begin distributing property before death, at death or even after. A trust is a legal arrangement through which one person or institution such as a bank or law firm, known as a trustee, holds the legal title to property for someone else known as a beneficiary. A trust typically has two beneficiary types: one that receives income from the trust throughout their life or another that receives whatever is left after the first set of beneficiaries pass on.

A will covers any property that is only in the beneficiary’s name when they die. It doesn’t cover anything in a trust or in joint tenancy. A trust, however, covers only property that has been transferred directly to the trust itself. Also, a will passes through probate. That means that a court oversees that the will is valid and the property is distributed accordingly. A trust passes outside of probate, so a court isn’t required. This saves both time and money for living family members.

If you or a loved one need help with wills & trusts in Arlington or the surrounding communities, call 817-261-5000 today to speak to a professional estate planning attorney.

A will, also known as a last will and testament, helps to protect both your family and your property. A will can be used to:

• Name an executor, the person who is responsible for carrying out your wishes
• Name a trusted person to manage property that you leave to minor children
• Name a personal guardian to care for your minor children
• Leave property to people/organizations

Will preparation by a professional wills & probate Texas attorney helps to ensure that you and your family are prepared for the worst. It is one of the most selfless decisions you can make for your family as they are given time to grieve when it is needed and not to resolve your loose ends.

What happens if I die without will preparation in Texas?

In the state of Texas, if you die without a will, your property is distributed according to state intestacy laws. This means your belongings go to your closest relatives starting with your spouse or children (if applicable). If you have neither, then your grandchildren or parents get your property. The list continues until the court is able to find living relatives to give your things to.

A professional wills preparation lawyer will work with you to prepare your will perfectly. They will ensure that everything is thought of when it’s most important. You will be protected when you need it most. Professional will preparation is more than just paperwork, it is years of experience analyzing situations to advise you on the best way to accomplish your wishes.

If you or a loved one need help with will preparation from a professional attorney in Texas, call 817-261-5000 today.

The wealth you’ve earned in your lifetime can help your family to continue on without you after your death. A properly-drafted and administered trust can help protect your assets. With legal guidance from an estate attorney in Arlington, you can both design and administer your family’s trust in a way that benefits them the most. This can include irrevocable, revocable, marital, charitable, generation-skipping transfer, or grantor retained annuity trusts.

Trust Administration Laws in Texas

The laws concerning trust administration are found in the Texas Trust Code, the court decisions interpreting said trust law and in the trust instrument. This code allows trustees to administer trusts according to the terms of the trust document and the provisions of the law codes in the state of Texas. A trustee is a fiduciary, who is responsible for carrying out the wishes of the person who appointed them as such. Some of their responsibilities include:

• Administering the trust in the interest of beneficiaries
• Keep beneficiaries informed of the trust and any updates regarding it
• Invest/manage trust assets as an investor (if applicable)
• Take action to collect claims due to the estate

Ultimately, a trust in the state of Texas isn’t a legal entity. It is simply a relationship where a trustee acts as an agent for beneficiaries, whether income or remainder. Beneficiaries may ask the trustee for an accounting of the estate at any time. It is their duty to allow you to look at the books and to keep copies readily available. As you can see the process of trust administration is difficult, making it increasingly important to hire a legal professional to represent you and to guide you.

If you or a loved one need help with trust administration from a professional Arlington estate lawyer, call 817-261-5000 today to learn what they can do for you and your family.