Most people don’t hear the term emancipated minor very often. And if they do, it’s usually in reference to Hollywood child stars who, for various personal and business reasons, choose to split from their parents and are granted the legal capacity of an adult through a court process. There have been plenty of these high-profile…

Being sued is the last thing anyone wants. This is especially true when you genuinely believe you did nothing wrong or what happened  was unintentional and a simple misunderstanding. So how do you avoid being sued in the first place? Well, the reality is that anyone can be sued, whether because they injured someone, are…

Denton County is one of the fastest-growing areas in the nation, with thousands of individuals and families flocking here every day to buy or sell a home, open a brick-and-mortar business, purchase land, etc. And regardless of whether those transactions go through smoothly or hit a few unfortunate legal snags, real estate law will come…

Texas is a community property state. In lay terms, that means most of the assets and debts you and your spouse accumulated during your marriage (the house, cars, boats, furniture, joint bank accounts, mortgages, etc.) are considered jointly owned. In other words, your home and assets may be just as much theirs as yours, no…

Your business means everything to you. What was once nothing more than an idea is now a highly-respected company with loyal clients, a strong leadership team, and employees who wake up each morning looking forward to coming to work. And you want nothing more than to continue that streak of success for many years to…

When a loved one passes away, the next logical step for many families is to proceed to probate. Most family members don’t like to hear that, especially when all they’ve heard is how confusing, complicated, drawn-out, and emotionally draining probate can be — even if your loved one left a legal last will and testament…

It’s safe to say most people believe that estate planning is important. In fact, 56% of American adults say they are on board with at least having a last will and testament drafted by a qualified attorney, according to statistics from LegalZoom. But in the same breath, did you know only 33% have actually followed…

While many legal disputes can be handled with patience, de-escalation, and diplomatic solutions, others are, for lack of a better term, past the point of no return or present a clear and present danger to one party. As such, a Court may require aggressive advocacy, sometimes in the form of a well-timed and necessary restraining…

There are many reasons why marriages begin to wane and ultimately lead to divorce. A few of the more common ones that might spring to mind are adultery, abuse, and even abandonment. We’ve all seen cases like these play out on television and in the media — some more loudly and contentious than others. But…

A will is a legal document that spells out how you want your assets distributed to loved ones after you have passed away. Granted, it may still have to pass through the probate court to ensure its validity, but nearly all wills make it through this process without issue — as it is the Court’s…

Have you ever been in a dispute with a neighbor? Most of us have, and more often than not, it’s over small stuff like noise complaints, unkempt lawns, blocking driveways with trailers, and leaving Christmas lights up well into July. Thankfully, these and other issues are often resolved quickly and rarely result in legal action.…

Even the best business partners have disagreements from time to time. It’s when those disagreements reach an impasse, or one or both parties threaten legal action because they feel they’ve been wronged in some way, that it is vital to the business and the livelihood of everyone involved to resolve the conflict before things get…

Once you decide that divorce is the answer, the first legal step is to hire a family law attorney. This may seem like an obvious piece to the puzzle, but plenty of parties every day choose to represent themselves in court. After all, it is their right to do so in Texas. With that said,…

You just sought legal advice from a lawyer about an ongoing dispute with a long-time business partner. Everything went great, and for the first time in a very long time, you feel like you have someone in your corner who listens to you and feels like you have a strong case should you have to…

It’s important to remember that divorce isn’t always just about two adults ending a marriage. It’s also often about children. As parties are divorcing, it’s important to remember the needs to the kids, too, and focus on what makes the most sense for them moving forward. A large part of this is finding clear answers…

It is always beneficial to familiarize yourself with some of the legal jargon you will hear if you find yourself involved in litigation. And perhaps one of the first things you might ask is, “What is the difference between Plaintiff and Defendant?” In civil proceedings such as personal injury cases, breach of contract disputes, negligence,…

You’re a few days shy of closing on the sale of your old home. The process has been smooth up to this point, and you’re already getting phone calls from the title office to schedule an official closing date and time that works for you and the buyer. There’s just one problem: the buyer has…

Imagine that you filed a lawsuit against someone for breach of contract. You fully expect them to show up to court and argue their side, but surprisingly, they don’t show. What now? Well, not only could that person face severe consequences for not following a court order, but you can now request what is known…

One of the biggest benefits of a pre-marital agreement, also known as a prenup, is that by creating one and signing it, potential disputes between you and your soon-to-be spouse can be resolved and potentially avoided entirely before tying the knot. This is especially true if the relationship were to end in divorce. So, naturally,…

A last will and testament is a legal document that spells out your final wishes and gives you control over how your assets are distributed to your beneficiaries upon your death. So in a perfect scenario, your will is submitted for probate upon your death, and everything you’ve outlined is honored — right down to…

Let’s say you had a last will and testament drafted 12 years ago. At the time, you were newly married, and you and your spouse didn’t have much to your name. But you had a new house and career and felt like it was the grown-up thing to do to give your family and each…

Like many homeowners, you probably bought your house with the intention of living in it for as long as you want. But here you are, receiving a notice stating that your property will soon be seized through Texas condemnation law. In other words, it’s being taken away from you. But how could this be? You…

Despite the drama unfolding on television, many legal disputes can be resolved quickly and amicably without going to court. Mediation is one of the more recognized types of alternative dispute resolutions. Still, it is far from the only option available, depending on the type of dispute you find yourself in. A perfect example is arbitration.…

For those who wish to start a business correctly and legally, one entity type that’s very popular and worth considering is an S Corporation or S Corp. But what does this mean exactly? And what benefits are unique to this entity type? These are common questions our team at Christman Attorneys, PLLC, fields all the…

The divorce statistics most of us are bound to hear on television, social media, and while catching up on everyday gossip around the proverbial water cooler is that half of all marriages end in divorce. But with so many divorces taking place every single day, that can’t be the only divorce-related statistic out there. There…

Whether you’ve bought and sold three or four homes or this is your first time, it’s understandable if you haven’t given much thought to the title search process. After all, title searches are meant to be done seamlessly behind the scenes during everyday real estate transactions, and more often than not, they are completed without…

When you and your spouse divorced, the Court ruled that you were obligated to pay spousal maintenance to your former spouse in the form of periodic payments. While you respected the ruling at the time, you’ve been making these monthly payments for the past two or three years, and you can’t help but wonder what…

Many couples going through a divorce for the first time believe there’s only one way the next several months will go. They and their spouse will struggle to see eye to eye, emotions will take over, and they’ll spend significant time and money spinning their wheels with legal motions, a never-ending trial, and custody battles.…

If an attorney says they specialize in civil litigation, it might be challenging for someone who doesn’t hear that term often to know what it means and if the legal issue they’re facing falls under that umbrella. And we can’t blame them, either – the legal world tends to get confusing. The good news is…

Probate law and representation are often necessary for many families following the death of a loved one. After all, a court’s goal is to determine the rightful owner of the deceased’s assets and legally transfer them to the appropriate family members or beneficiaries — especially in cases where there isn’t a will. But probate’s reputation…

There’s no mistaking that life after divorce will be considerably different for you and your child. Of course, the Court will always do its best to determine a stable home and each parent’s role and responsibilities moving forward, but that doesn’t change the fact that everyone will need time to adjust. As you and your…

When many people think of real estate, their minds leap to the everyday stuff like working with a realtor to buy or sell a property or the annual obligation homeowners have to contest property values with the county appraisal district. For the most part, these and other matters can be handled swiftly without the thought…

Non-compete agreements aren’t always looked at in the best light. If you’re being asked to sign one, you may feel a little uneasy — as if you’re signing something you don’t completely understand and may not be in your best interests. If you’re the one asking for a non-compete agreement, you may not enjoy having…

A significant benefit of a Power of Attorney is its flexibility. You can choose whomever you want to make decisions for you, and you can be as narrow or broad as you like regarding the authority you assign that person. You can also make those roles and responsibilities effective immediately or kick in later. That…

Divorcing spouses often reach a point in their relationship where they realize quietly going their separate ways is in everyone’s best interests. They know they need to hire attorneys and start the process of ending their marriage, but they don’t see the point in soldiering through an expensive, drawn-out, and emotional trial. They want a…

The annual Best of Denton County awards has begun, and Christman Attorneys, PLLC, would love to earn your nominations. If you haven’t heard of Best of Denton County, it is a yearly award that showcases local businesses that demonstrate outstanding customer service, commitment to our community, professionalism, and old-fashioned hard work with a servant mindset.…

So you’re thinking about starting a business. Congratulations! You’re on the verge of doing what many people can only dream of. But now what? Those closest to you say to go the easy route and organize as a sole proprietorship. It’s fast; there’s not a lot of paperwork, and the start-up costs are negligible. However,…

You’re getting divorced, and you and your spouse have agreed to mediation. This is great news because the last thing either of you wants is to hire lawyers and battle it out in court. At the same time, you’re worried about adequately preparing for divorce mediation so that all your wants, needs, and desires are…

With summer here, parents who went through a divorce recently and are used to their standard possession schedules must now learn how to navigate a summer possession schedule to accommodate the kids staying with the other parent longer. For example, maybe you agreed for the kiddos to go on a long camping trip with their…

Just hearing the term “breach of contract” is bound to send shivers up anyone’s spine. This is especially true if you’re accused of violating a binding agreement with someone else. Perhaps you tried your best to do right by a homeowner who hired you to do some landscaping work, but now they insist you fell…

Have you ever posted something on social media and wished you hadn’t? Sure, you can quickly delete a Facebook or Instagram post and pretend it never existed, but how many people saw that post (text, photo, or video) before it was deleted? What if they grabbed a screenshot and forwarded the post to someone who…

The building blocks of any estate plan start with a last will and testament. By leaving behind a specific list of instructions in a will for your loved ones, you control how everything plays out after you are gone — from who gets what assets and when to who should care for your minor children…

As much as you’d like your upcoming divorce to move quickly, the reality is that even the most nip and tuck cases won’t be decided in a few days or weeks. They may not even be resolved in five or six months — especially when you factor in Texas’ 60-day waiting period before you can…

One of the many benefits of a well-crafted estate planning strategy is the ability to account for nearly any need and circumstance you and your family may face. For some clients, that means sharing specific end-of-life wishes they want to be carried out soon after they’re gone — wishes that traditionally aren’t covered by a…

In divorce cases with children stuck in the middle, the Court will always favor your child’s best interest concerning custody and do its best to determine a stable home and each parent’s role and responsibilities moving forward. In a perfect world with fit parents, that could mean having both parents still equally involved in the…

When you’ve never been divorced, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the legal process and your valid emotions. The good news is that you’re not alone. Millions of people divorce every year, and anyone who has gone through it will tell you it’s a stressful time made worse by the fear of the unknown and…

Adopting a child into a loving and stable home is an incredible gift that will undoubtedly bring your existing family full circle. With that said, you likely have plenty of questions if you are considering adopting a child and may have wondered what the adoption requirements are in Texas. After all, adoption laws constantly change…

A Power of Attorney is unique in your overall estate planning strategy because it allows for decisions to be made on your behalf at key points in your life, especially if you were to become incapacitated due to a car accident or illness. To ensure everything is handled appropriately, you need to name someone who…

The focus of any family law case is to preserve and protect the long-term best interests of children and families. And despite what you see on television or read online, most cases do reach a diplomatic conclusion — even in situations where all hope appears lost. With that said, there are disputes where the family…

You’re getting married, and things couldn’t be better between you and your significant other. That is until they approach you about signing a pre-marital agreement. Also known as a prenuptial agreement or “prenup,” this agreement serves as a contract between you and your soon-to-be spouse that sets rules on things like property, assets, and certain…

When you decide that adding a trust makes the most sense for your estate planning strategy, one of the next steps is to choose between a revocable or irrevocable trust. It’s understandable for clients to have questions about the differences between revocable trusts and irrevocable trusts. The attorneys at Christman Attorneys, PLLC realize that while…

When many people hear the word “estate,” they think of an individual or family with more money than they know what to do with. They have visions of the older, high-net-worth businessman or businesswoman with a mansion in Los Angeles, a summer home in Italy, and five sports cars. So naturally, conversations about estate planning…

When faced with a legal issue for the first time, it’s understandable if you don’t immediately know which area of law it falls under. Take family law — many people assume family courts only do divorces. So even if they have a closely-related issue, they may waste precious time chasing resources that won’t help. Or…

Many people think of marriage in the traditional sense. In other words, they fall in love, there’s a heartfelt proposal, and they get a marriage license. There’s even a beautiful wedding ceremony. But what about couples who’ve been together and lived under the same roof for years? They don’t have a marriage license, nor have…

You and your former spouse got divorced five years ago. And since that day, you’ve been obligated to pay spousal maintenance in the form of periodic payments to your ex. You have no problem continuing doing so for however long the court requires it, except that now your former spouse is planning to get remarried.…

After years of having a marriage on the rocks and never seeing eye to eye, you and your spouse have decided to get a divorce. You have both visited with attorneys, and you’ve even been living apart. So why is your spouse suddenly delaying the divorce process? There are several ways a spouse can delay…

As we’ve written about before, a living will, also largely referred to in estate planning terms as advanced healthcare directives, allows you to name the person(s) who can make medical decisions should you become incapacitated and can no longer do so for yourself. Think of them as a list of instructions related to life-sustaining or…

Family members having to navigate the probate process after the death of a loved one often worry that they’re on their own with whatever to-do list and responsibilities are involved. This can be overwhelming when you consider 1) they aren’t legal pros, and 2) they’ve heard there aren’t many legal processes more confusing, complicated, drawn-out,…

It’s a safe bet many people don’t think about having their estate plan reviewed after a divorce. Rather, their minds are fixated on meetings with lawyers, impending custody disputes, concerns over how all the assets will be divided, etc. We get it; there’s a lot to think about when you are in the thick of…

Divorce is a confusing and tumultuous time for you and your family. And when you’ve never gone through it before, it’s easy to believe pretty much everything you hear or see on television. Even the people around you who think they know all the ins and outs rarely do — which inevitably breathes new life…

Sometimes, we see things mentioned on the Internet and wonder if they’re true. Take divorce in the New Year, for example. You may have read from a variety of sources over the years that more divorces happen consistently in January than at any other time of the year. And being that the calendar is flipping…

A common misconception many people have about estate planning is that it’s a one-time event. In other words, they think there’s nothing more to do once they have their will, trust, and power of attorney in their hands. The reality is that your estate plan and the documents that are included should be updated every…

The holidays are here, which means many parents who went through a divorce recently undoubtedly have questions about their Standard Possession Schedule and how that might change with Christmas and New Year’s on the horizon.  The quick answer is that it depends on your final order, along with any special agreement you’ve made with the…

Despite getting divorced eight months ago, you and your former spouse have breezed through what has thus far been an amicable co-parenting relationship. You’ve kept the kids top of mind in every decision, honored the agreed-upon possession schedules, and handled the occasional surprise with grace and flexibility. More importantly, the kids feel loved and are…

You’ve successfully set up your living trust, and you feel as though a huge weight has been lifted from your shoulders. You feel accomplished because you’ve taken an important step toward letting your wishes be known while at the same time protecting yourself, your assets, and your family’s future. But now, your estate planning attorney…

Many people who hear “living will” automatically think of their last will and testament and assume they are one and the same. But the reality is that these are two separate and important documents that serve unique purposes, and when it comes to creating an effective estate planning strategy, you should strongly consider having both…

Estate planning is one of the most important decisions you will ever make for both you and your loved ones. And yet, so many people delay putting that plan in place. Perhaps it’s because it’s uncomfortable and even a little sad to think about or discuss the day we die. It could also be that…

Parents are responsible for maintaining a sense of normalcy for their children after a divorce through well-intentioned and amicable co-parenting whenever possible. Granted, this can be easier said than done when navigating what is undoubtedly a turbulent and emotional time for everyone. On top of that, you may not be too thrilled to work with…

Not every party in a family law case has been down this road before. Often, this is their first time standing in a courtroom and making decisions on matters such as divorce, child custody, and asset division. It’s also likely that this is the first time they’ll hear various legal terms, many of which only…

When diving in for the first time, estate planning can be confusing and a little scary. Even families who think they know all the ins and outs of the process rarely do. This is why seeking professional guidance from a qualified attorney is so essential. Not only will they craft legal instruments that honor your…

When most people decide their marriage needs to end, they get a divorce. Both parties are content going through the legal process, however contentious or amicable it may be, and then they go their separate ways once the dust settles. But what about those who don’t believe being legally “divorced” is enough for their unique…

As a parent of a child with special needs, there are many things to think through and plan when considering your child’s long-term care needs. A special needs trust is often one of those important pieces. You’ve likely read our previous blogs on trusts, which was written within the context of your estate planning needs.…

Your estate plan should be carefully crafted so that all your needs are taken care of, and your family is protected should anything ever happen to you. More often than not, this means going beyond writing a will to include important legal instruments such as revocable trusts, healthcare directives, and the all-important Power of Attorney.…

Not every divorce case involves couples who mutually agree to end their marriage. Often, one party is aware of problems in the relationship but is caught off guard when they are suddenly served with a divorce petition. Having those papers in your hand can be emotionally overwhelming, and often, you aren’t quite sure what to…

Not every legal dispute has to end up in court. Everyone wants to achieve the best result possible for their situation, but not everyone wants a contentious, drawn-out trial. This is what alternative dispute resolution is for. Despite the drama you might see unfold on television, many civil disputes — divorce, child custody, child support,…

When you’re struggling with the death of a loved one, it can be challenging trying to turn your attention to something like probate. Not only are you not prepared to discuss it, but many clients want to avoid the process entirely because they’ve heard it can be confusing, complicated, drawn-out, and emotionally draining for everyone…

Naming a beneficiary is one of the more important steps in anyone’s estate planning strategy. After all, you want your assets and other belongings to end up in the right hands after you die — whether that be money, cars, your home, or a priceless family heirloom like jewelry or an antique grandfather clock. But…

Divorcing parents have a lot of questions when it comes to child custody. After all, getting a divorce doesn’t change the fact that you love your kids and want what’s best for them, and the thought of what happens next can be scary. The Court also wants what is in your child’s best interest and…

If you and your spouse have decided it’s time to end your marriage, it’s not uncommon for one or both of you to wonder how long a divorce takes. It’s a question we hear a lot. Though we have to admit that it is not an easy question to answer. The fact of the matter…

When it comes to the often confusing financial issues that arise both during and after a divorce, it is only natural to want to know ahead of time who is entitled to certain payments and what that money represents. For example, Texas allows for child support and spousal maintenance — but many individuals and families…

If your upcoming divorce involves children, determining which spouse pays child support and the amount of those payments will be a big piece of the proceedings. But what is child support, exactly? And how is it calculated? Child support typically involves regular payments made by one parent to the other parent, for the benefit of…

A Last Will and Testament is typically seen as the first step in an estate planning strategy. It is meant to express your final wishes, whatever they might be, and the amount of control you have can be pretty extraordinary. But rarely are they the best and final option for every individual and family. More…

Many couples considering divorce might think a judge will automatically grant it when the time comes with no reasons required and no questions asked. While true in a manner of speaking — you may divorce your spouse without explanation — you do need to provide at least one reason or “grounds” for divorce on your…

If you’ve been married for any length of time, you and your spouse have likely acquired a lot of “stuff.” For example, there could be large property and assets like homes, cars, land, and even a joint business venture. And then there’s everything else — furniture, collectibles, shared bank accounts, investments, airline miles, etc. It…

So many families admit they’ve put off talking about their estate planning for far too long. They are eager to finally set up that long-overdue will, but they’ve also heard about trusts and how they play a critical role in protecting their assets, loved ones, and legacy. So which one is right for them? Is…

Have you ever sent a text message and wished you could edit it to say something different? Or better yet, take it back as if it never existed? That sounds nice, especially after typing something the recipient could see as rude, disrespectful, or threatening. Apple’s latest operating system update, iOS 16, allows users to edit…

You have likely heard and read about the benefits of having a Last Will and Testament in place sooner rather than later. Having a will is easily one of the more important decisions you will ever make for both you and your loved ones. Yet, so many people continue to delay the conversation or underestimate…

Summertime usually means days full of sunshine, vacations, pool parties and no school. But what does this mean for co-parenting families? It depends upon your final order, but in Texas, this often means that one parent has a standard possession schedule and will exercise summer possession per the schedule that is outlined in the Texas…

It would be easy to assume that everyone has heard of a Last Will and Testament. But the reality is that many individuals and families either do not know what a will is or underestimate the importance of having one in place before they die. A will is a legal document that spells out all…

Many clients we work with who are considering a divorce cringe at the thought of going through a nasty, contentious process where both parties hire lawyers and battle it out in court. They would rather communicate openly, settle various matters like child custody and property division amicably, and go their separate ways. Thankfully, mediation can…

When many of us think of divorce, our minds turn to the sensationalized courtroom dramas depicted in movies as examples of how things will likely play out. We may have even heard first-hand accounts from people we know who bickered with their spouses over every little detail. Granted, someone eventually got what they wanted, but…

Chrisman, Ramsey & Foster PC handles a wide variety of complex business issues for corporate clients and small business owners across the country. Protecting our clients’ rights while preserving their valuable resources and time is one of our highest priorities. Our team is here to help business owners navigate the ever-changing legal landscape during the…

Many of you have been keeping up with the ever-changing legal landscape as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds across America and the world. Families First Coronavirus Response Act, a recent passed federal law, may affect you, whether you are an employer of less than 500 employees or an employee. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA…

Did you know that Drew Christman, managing partner of Chrisman, Ramsey & Foster PC aspired to be an attorney since second grade? Check out this article to learn more about his’ passion behind practicing law & how how he has been faithful to the course. Faithful to the Course/ Argyle Living Magazine

“Help, our family home is in foreclosure! What are our legal rights?” If unforeseen financial trouble has hit your family and you are facing the reality of foreclosure on your family home, you need to be aware of your legal rights. Feelings of anxiety and impending doom may cause you to want to ignore this…

So you’re thinking about buying or starting a business and forming a partnership or LLC. Congratulations! You are on the verge of starting something that most people can only dream of. You want to make sure your dreams don’t turn into a financial headache and expose your personal assets. But how? You can protect your…