Monday, April 20, 2015

What You Need to Know About DWI in Texas

If you are arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Texas, it has lifelong effects if you are convicted. It’s important that you understand the consequences so that you know how serious it is. The most effective way to avoid a DWI is to stay off the road when you’ve been drinking so that you don’t get into trouble. However, if you do make a mistake and are cited for DWI, you need to contact a lawyer to make sure that your rights are protected.

Consequences of a DWI

Although penalties of your DWI will be based on many different factors, once convicted of a DWI, you may face imprisonment, even if it is your first offense. You will have many new expenses, such as an educational class, fines, and more expensive insurance, as well as any reparations for an accident. Your license will more than likely be suspended or revoked.

If You Are a Minor

Texas is a state with a Zero Tolerance Law for minors who are driving under the influence. If you are 21 years old or younger, there is an implied consent that officers can test your blood alcohol level if you are driving on Texas roads. If you are caught with any amount of alcohol or drugs in your system, you will be charged, and face fines, a license suspension, and a class, plus any other consequences that the judge may apply.

A DWI is very serious, but the consequences can be mitigated if you act quickly. To learn more about a DWI attorney in Temple, click here.

Car Accidents and Negligence: When You Are Liable for Another Person's Driving

In most car accident cases, the key issue is determining which driver is at fault for the accident. Usually, if one driver is negligent -- that is, did not use reasonable care or caution while driving -- he or she will be at fault... read more

Friday, April 17, 2015

The Difference between a Contested and Uncontested Divorce

Texas divorce laws are complex. Although you don’t need grounds for divorce, such as adultery or abandonment, you can use those things to obtain a better settlement. Some couples completely agree and get through the divorce process quickly and easily, while others have a hard time separating property and determining custody. There are two types of divorce, contested or uncontested, and it’s important to understand the differences if you are considering breaking up your marriage.

An uncontested divorce is where you and your soon-to-be-ex spouse have resolved all the issues between you. This includes child support, custody, visitation, property division, and alimony or spousal support. It’s admirable to do this, and it certainly costs less for both parties to work out these problems without the assistance of the court.

You may think that with an uncontested divorce, you don’t need to seek the advice of a lawyer. However, even though you don’t need counsel to work out the details of your separation, it is good to talk to an attorney who specializes in family law to make sure that you have the information to act in your best interest. It can help you make sure that you have covered all your bases. This way nothing is left on the table when you file for divorce. You don’t want to be stuck with all the debts from the marriage because you forgot to include them in the settlement.

A contested divorce is one that typically gets adversarial. Mediation may avoid messy litigation, but this type of divorce is more costly and difficult because the parties do not agree on certain aspects of the separation. If you are working through problems of domestic violence or abuse, you want the protection of litigation during your divorce to ease your stress.

With a contested divorce, it is obvious that you want a legal professional on your side. Preparation for court and a potential trial is paramount to make sure that your rights and interests are protected. A good lawyer can assist you in negotiation before trial which means that the decisions about your divorce are not left to a judge. You have more control over the outcome when this happens.

Going through a divorce is never easy, whether it’s an uncontested or contested divorce. Don’t try to make difficult decisions without legal counsel. Custody issues and property division are complex matters that will affect you for a long time. You need to make the best choices for everyone involved so that you can move on with your life. To learn more about a divorce lawyer in Temple, click here.