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Remember the Alimony? |
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During the 2011 Legislative Session, a number of family law bills were enacted. One of the most significant change was the amendment to the spousal maintenance (or alimony) statute.
As of September 1, 2011, the
 | | Jimmy Vaught |
legislature has increased the potential amount of alimony available from $2,500 to $5,000 per month, and increased the term of the payments from 3 years up to a possible 10 years. The term is based on the length of the marriage. For marriages that last for 10-20 years the payments extend over a 5 year period. Marriages lasting for 20-30 years are eligible for 7 years of alimony. Marriages that are 30 years or more are eligible for 10 years of alimony. As before, the length of alimony payments may be longer if a spouse has an incapacitating physical or mental disability or the spouse is the custodian of a child who has a physical or mental disability.
This is a huge change for both sides of this issue. Traditionally, Texas had had very limited alimony available because it is a
community property state. However, more and more, substantial assets like the marital residence are either underwater, or may have been pledged for home equity loans. Gone are the days of defined pension plans, and retirement accounts, if any, are subject to market fluctuations. I think that prenuptial and postnuptial agreements have some value for couples who want to either avoid the alimony statute or predetermine alimony payments. If you or someone you know is interested, please ask them to call me for a consultation.
On another note, has anyone ever heard of Redd Harper? |
Contact Us
3200 Steck Avenue Suite 300 Austin, Texas 78757 Vaught Law Firm, P.C. 512-342-9980 Law Office of Leigh de la Reza 512-329-5020 |
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Coparenting Requires A Lot of Skill! |
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Leigh de la Reza |
School is back in session and for many divorced or separated parents, the school year can present some co-parenting challenges. There are ways to overcome many of these challenges without taking a back seat to your child's education.
So you missed the school play and you were the last one told about little Johnny's tardies? How do you get in the loop? The best thing to do is to get to know the key players in your child's education. Rachel Fierro, teacher for the Ann Richard's School for Young Women Leaders, explained, "As a teacher, I don't always know if parents are divorced or if I need to contact another parent or grandparent unless someone tells me." Reaching out to your child's teacher can be an easy way to stay in the loop.
Get to know how your child's teacher sends out information and communicate with him/her about how to accommodate two homes. If a special folder is sent to parents, then perhaps dual folders can be provided. If they are not able to accommodate that request, then each parent MUST provide that information to the other parent in a timely manner. Use an online calendar so each parent has access to information and email. Parents can even use it share important assignments.
Parents of junior high and high school age students should make contact with their child's homeroom teacher or advisory teacher as a main point of contact. AISD, like manydistricts, offer several opportunities to meet with teachers and administrators. "Coffee Chat" or "Coffee with the Principal" is one frequent event designed for parents to have informal, drop-in conversations with the school principle. Open House days and PTA meetings are also available.
No matter what your relationship with each other, both parents have a vested interest in their child's education. This is where consistency comes into play. Both parents owe it to their child to work together on problems. If a child doesn't bring home his assignment, both parents need to agree on appropriate consequences. If one parent doesn't follow through, it sets up a dynamic with the child that will eventually allow him to manipulate both parents.
Parenting sometimes requires professional help. There are many good therapists, parenting coordinators and classes available to help parents JOINTLY work through issues and define a set of expectations and consequences for the child.
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In the News
Jimmy has been named Co-Course Director for the Joint UT CLE/Texas Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyer First Annual CLE Course, Innovations - Breaking Boundaries in Custody Litigation. Course Flyer
Jimmy has been elected as the President of the Texas Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers for the 2011-2012 term. |
Elvis Trivia
 | | Elvis and President Nixon in 1973 |
When Elvis and Priscilla divorced in 1973, Elvis paid Priscilla $725,000 in cash plus $6,000 per month for ten years, plus $4,200 per month in spousal support for a year and 5% of his publishing companies (estimated in 1973 to be nearly $2,000,000). He also shook President Nixon's hand in 1973. It was a bad year all around for Elvis. 1974 would prove to be a really, really bad year for President Nixon! I've included a link to interesting letters that Elvis wrote to President Nixon. Elvis' Letters to Nixon Elvis wrote this song well before his divorce, but I have a feeling that he sang it more than a few times in 1973! Enjoy!  | | Elvis Presley - A Fool Such As I |
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