Increasingly, lawmakers across the country, including those in Texas, are strengthening the laws around fatal drunk and drugged driving crashes to include a requirement to compensate those children and their caregivers. Last September, Texas added such a requirement for those convicted of intoxication manslaughter if a parent or legal guardian of a minor is killed. Note that a conviction on this charge can also result in up to 20 years behind bars.
A judge considers a number of factors when determining how much compensation (also called “restitution”) a defendant has to pay. This includes things like the child’s financial, emotional and educational needs, the financial circumstances of their surviving family and their lifestyle prior to losing their parent(s) or guardian.
The defendant’s ability to pay is also considered. If they’re going to be serving time in prison, that could leave them unable to pay anything for a time. That doesn’t mean they’re off the hook. Under the law, they’re required to begin paying the designated amount (as well as anything they owed while incarcerated) within a year after release. That’s the case even if the child is no longer a minor by that time and “the restitution payments were scheduled to terminate while the defendant was confined….”
If you or a loved one is facing an intoxication manslaughter charge, it’s critical to have experienced legal guidance from the beginning. The potential consequences of a conviction are higher than ever.
]]>What one study discovered was that each year brings an 11% decline in the odds of divorce. Quite simply, someone who gets married at 21 years old has 11% lower divorce odds than someone who gets married at 20. This suggests that it’s better for people to delay and wait to get married. Rushing into it can drastically increase the odds of getting divorced, especially when considering something like marriage at 18 versus marriage at 28. The divorce odds will have significantly shifted over that decade.
However, the study found that the divorce odds don’t keep dropping forever. They reach their lowest point at about age 32. This is why many marriage experts say that couples would be wise to tie the knot somewhere between the ages of 28 and 32.
After 32, the odds of divorce start going back up by 5% every year. This increase isn’t as drastic as the decrease before 32, but it does mean that someone who is getting married – especially for the second time – in their 40s or 50s is going to have higher divorce odds.
If you and your spouse do end up getting divorced, then it’s very important for you to understand all of your legal options when considering parenting time with your children, the division of marital assets and much more.
]]>But teenagers often aren’t thinking about this. In fact, one of the reasons that they break the law is just that, in some cases, they haven’t really thought about the long-term ramifications. They simply acted impulsively. If they stopped to think about it, they may have avoided the activity, but they just did not take the time.
The second reason for many teen crimes is peer pressure. Teenagers want to fit in with their social groups. If the leader of that social group dares them to do something, or if the entire group is also participating in that illegal activity, a teen will be heavily influenced to do the same. They don’t want to risk losing their social standing, even if that means breaking the law.
In some situations, crime is due to monetary limitations that young people face. A teenager who doesn’t have a job may shoplift because they can’t afford the things that they want. But there are also many cases of criminal activity that don’t have a monetary root cause, such as shoplifting affordable items just to be part of a peer group or because of the aforementioned peer pressure.
If you’re a parent whose teenager has been arrested, you’re probably very concerned about their future. It’s important to understand why this happens and what legal options you have.
]]>Before you either begin negotiating with your co-parent about changes you’d like to make – or seeking legal guidance because you are quite sure that your co-parent will not cooperate in re: modification efforts – begin by reflecting on how well your current parenting plan worked over the past year.
Consider your children's responses to the arrangements, any difficulties in transitions between homes and how well both parents were able to adhere to the plan. Were there frequent conflicts or misunderstandings? Did the schedule suit the children's school and extracurricular activities? This kind of reflection can help identify areas that might benefit from modification.
The new year is a good time to look ahead at the calendar. Consider any special dates, holidays or vacations that might need specific planning. Adjustments may be necessary to ensure that both parents have equal opportunities to spend quality time with their children during these periods.
You’ll also want to evaluate how communication between co-parents has been over the past year. Effective and respectful communication is key to a successful parenting plan. If communication has been a challenge, your plan might need to incorporate more structured or clear communication protocols.
As children grow older, their educational needs, social life and activities change. A parenting plan should accommodate these changes to support a child’s development effectively. Parents’ circumstances can also change. This might include job changes, relocation, new relationships or changes in health. These shifts can impact the feasibility or appropriateness of existing parenting schedules and arrangements. By regularly reviewing and adjusting your parenting plan, you can better ensure its relevance and ultimate success.
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