Protective Orders, Family Violence and Child Support Laws Affected

Dallas, TX -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/21/2016 -- The Texas legislature has amended several family law bills; some changes went into effect September 1, 2015 and others went into effect with the new year. The many changes to previous provisions of the Lone Star State family code could dramatically and legally affect family law cases across Texas.

"As one of the largest firms in Texas focused solely on Family Law, we make a point to stay abreast of any legislation that impacts the Family Code," says Jeff Anderson, partner in the Family Law boutique of Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson, LLP. "The recently enacted updates are among some of the most profound we have seen in years."

House Bill 1500 amends the family code and now requires those who file a motion for a temporary order for modification of the parent-child relationship to attach an affidavit containing facts that support the allegations that a child's current circumstances significantly impairs the child's emotional development or physical health. And this bill also establishes that it's the court's duty to schedule a hearing when those facts confirm the allegation.

House bill 826 now requires a child support order to contain specific circumstances under which a court may modify a previous child support order.

When it comes to a family violence protective order, the net has widened. House bill 1782, the court now presumes that family violence has occurred and is likely to occur in the future if the respondent has been placed on deferred adjudication community supervision or has been previously convicted of family violence against a child.

Senate bill 206 streamlines agency procedures for the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) with new changes in record keeping, casework documentation and provisions governing procedures in the investigation of reported child exploitation, abuse and neglect. It also sets out new procedures for foster care. Initiated to improve the DFPS, Senate bill 206 now requires the DFPS to develop and implement an annual business plan for its child protective services program.

Keeping in step with technology, Senate Bill 813 establishes that digitized signatures on pleading and orders relating to protective orders, children in relation to family and the marriage relationship now satisfies requirements under the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.

About Orsinger, Nelson, Downing and Anderson, LLP
Orsinger, Nelson, Downing and Anderson, LLP is a nationally prominent family law firm based in Texas. With offices in Dallas, San Antonio, and Frisco they offer legal counsel for people needing child custody, divorce, alimony, and other family law assistance. Call to schedule a consultation with one of their award winning family lawyers today at (214) 273-2400.

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Dallas, TX -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/16/2015 -- Domestic violence seems to be increasingly more prevalent in the United States, with reports of celebrities like Ray Rice and Chris Brown striking their significant others raising discussions about the effects of domestic violence on society, and those most vulnerable in society: children.

Domestic Violence Damaging for Children

Children who are witnesses to domestic violence show an array of behavioral, social, cognitive, attitudinal, and emotional problems as a result. Being exposed to domestic violence leads to children who are more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior, experience fear and withdrawal, have learning problems, and be depressed and anxious, according to studies published in 2003. But emotional, behavioral, and learning problems are only the beginning of life-long problems that a child exposed to domestic violence may face.

Long-term Problems of Domestic Violence Exposure

Research also indicates that exposure to domestic violence as a child may make the child more likely to commit domestic violence as an adult. Senator Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, recently said in response to Ray Rice's domestic violence against his wife in September 2014, as reported by Politifact.com, that kids who see domestic violence happen are "twice as likely to commit it themselves."

Klobuchar isn't entirely incorrect, either—male children who are exposed to domestic violence are more likely to commit domestic violence as adults; female children, on the other hand, are more likely to become victims of the abuse. Ruth Glenn, the executive director of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, said that there's not currently enough data to make the claim that children exposed to domestic violence are twice as likely to become perpetrators. However, there is enough evidence to make the claim that children are definitely more likely to engage in violence themselves if they witness violence, but exactly how likely is still unknown.

Perhaps not surprisingly, domestic violence exposure is also linked to a higher likelihood of early death amongst adults who witnessed domestic violence as children. Exposure to domestic violence has also been linked to adult depression, symptoms of trauma, and risk factors for some of the most common causes of death in the United States, as well as general "poor quality of life," according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

About Taking Action Against Domestic Violence
There's no doubt that domestic violence has serious repercussions for children who are exposed to it, regardless of whether or not the precise effects have been measured. That being said, if you know of a child who is witnessing domestic violence, or if you are a victim of domestic violence yourself, it's important that you take action now. At Orsinger, Nelson, Downing and Anderson, LLP, our family law attorneys can help you seek the legal recourse you need to protect yourself, file for a separation or divorce, and gain custody of your child. If you are a victim, let us help you by calling us now at 972-908-0692.

Contact Information:
Orsinger, Nelson, Downing and Anderson, LLP
5950 Sherry Lane #800 Dallas, TX 75225
214-273-2400
ondafamilylaw.com

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Pricy Ring and Wedding Also Mean Shorter Marriage

Dallas, TX -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/20/2014 -- A new study by two Emery University Economy professors found a direct relationship between the amount of money spent on a wedding ring and wedding ceremony, and the likelihood of divorce.

The study uses data from 3,000 married couples, and comparisons are made using the widely accepted statistic that 50% of marriages end in divorce. This is the benchmark used when stating that you are more likely or less likely than average to get divorced. For more on the basics of divorce, visit this page: http://www.ondafamilylaw.com/articles/Knowing-The-Basics-of-Divorce/.

According to the study, the more money spent on the woman's wedding and engagement rings, the higher the instance of divorce.

The same rang true for pricy weddings. The more couples spent on fancy weddings, the more likely it was for them to get divorced.

Even more interesting though, is the directly proportionate influence of the amount spent on the length of the marriage. The higher the price of the ring and/or wedding, the shorter the marriage appeared to last according to researchers.

The average amount spent on a wedding and engagement ring in the United States is about $2,500, while the average cost of a wedding is higher at about $10,000. Given the average rate of divorce of 50% in the United States, those who spend less than average on a ring and a wedding lower their odds of ending up divorced.

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