A Family Law Attorney's Musings on Law, Policy and the Lives Affected
Change is the common theme in family law. From married to divorce. From parties attempting to co-parent without government intervention to parties abiding by a court order outlining visitation and child support.
The 5–4 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges meant that State officials were required to perform and recognize the marriages of same-sex couples on the same terms and conditions as the marriages of opposite-sex couples, with all the accompanying rights and responsibilities, including the dissolution of the marriage.
In 1996, the R&B group 112 released the hit "Cupid" with the lyrics "Cupid doesn't lie. But you won't know unless you give it a try". Twenty-five years later, and practicing law for almost ten of those years, I realize that 112 was partially correct. Cupid doesn't lie, nonetheless, people do.
As the coronavirus crisis ravages the U.S. economy and many are starting to navigate some form of normalcy with this financial package, many are unaware that their check may not be in the mail. The IRS may reduce the amount you receive if you have past due child support payments that have been reported by states to the Treasury Department.
The alarming rise in positive tests and subsequent deaths led to a hopeful outcome to this confinement. Unfortunately, for victims of domestic violence, "Stay Home, Work Safe" is equivalent to stay home, not safe. It is, in fact, toxic.
As more tests become available and people are testing positive for COVID-19, a parent would have every right to feel anxious for health concerns. But, what happens when one parent is not willing to surrender the child or exercise visitation in light of a "stay at home" mandate.
Child Custody Concerns During the Coronavirus Crisis
When good times roll into child support obligations, a parent may wonder, "what exactly IS my obligation?" Attorney Putman answers real life Questions regarding Child Support Obligations with Answers directly sourced and cited from the Texas Family Code.
If you owe back child support, your tax refund may be subject to an interception. Think of it like this: The football is the tax refund. The parent who has the obligation to pay child support is the intended receiver. The quarterback is the Department of Treasury and the Treasury Offset Program is the interception.
January 8, 2019 marked the beginning of a 140-day sprint for 150 House members and 31 Senators to create or fine tune the family laws in Texas. While there was only been a handful of family law bills filed before the Legislature convened at noon, you can expect that by March, there will be tons of bills, bills, bills.
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