Starting September 1, 2023, suits under the Texas Family Code will no longer be required to comply with required disclosures within the first 30 days of an Answer.
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Texas Drunk Drivers Beware! Starting September 1, 2023, a new Texas law will go into effect that will help minor child/ren victims of the drunk drivers who kill their parents and are convicted of the offense of intoxication manslaughter under Texas Penal Code 49.08. Texas House Bill Number 393 will allow mandatory restitution in the form of monthly child support payments to the minor child/ren until they turn age 18 or graduate from high school. The courts will determine an amount that is rea...
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Beginning January 1, 2021, the Texas Supreme Court began requiring litigants in certain Civil and Family cases to automatically provide certain information and documents to the other side. In an effort to promote the prompt, efficient, and cost-effective resolution of civil actions filed in county courts at law in which the amount in controversy does not exceed $250,000, the Texas State Legislature enacted Senate Bill SB 2342 which required the Supreme Court to amended Rules 47, 169, 190, 192...

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Social Media Users Beware! 

Beginning December 31, 2020, the Texas Supreme Court will begin allowing defendants to be served electronically via social media. The Texas State Legislature enacted Senate Bill 891 which amended Section 17.033 of the Civil Practices and Remedies Code to allow substituted service of citation. This Bill required the Supreme Court to adopt rules to provide for the substituted service of citation by an electronic communication sent to a defendant through a social media...

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Yesterday the United States Supreme Court ruled that a lawyer cannot concede a criminal defendant’s guilt over the client’s stated objections. If a criminal defendant continually insists that his counsel refrain from admitting guilt, then that Counsel must abide by the client’s wishes even if in the defense counsel’s legal experience he might win the case on a lesser charge. For the Supreme Court’s full opinion click here: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/17pdf/16-8255_i4ek.pdf...

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Notice to Contractors and Homeowners undertaking home improvements….

Did you know that members of the Louisiana state legislature recently passed a new bill requiring home improvement contractors to comply with certain notice provisions to homeowners? If you hold a license as a residential building contractor or if you are registered as a home improvement contractor, then this is for you!

The Louisiana Legislature just amended and reenacted R.S. 37:2175.1(A)(1) and 2175.3...

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Allegations of disaster fraud are already following in the wake of the recent hurricanes and wildfires. The call center for the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) has already received hundreds of complaints from across the country. This issue warrants a coordinated, nationwide response. In order to ensure that the Department of Justice effectively and quickly combats fraudulent conduct relating to the recent hurricanes, the Deputy Attorney General recently issued gu...

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Unfortunately, along with the pain and suffering experienced as a result of natural disasters, unknowing homeowners can become victim to fraud, waste, and abuse. As discussed below, there are a number of important facts to be aware of when repairing or rebuilding your home.

Get written estimates from at least three companies. Insist on a written contract and do not pay a contractor cash up front or on a lump sum basis. To avoid a contractor absconding with your money, set up a...

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