Spousal support, formerly referred to as spousal maintenance, is a court-ordered alimony payment. Court’s make decisions based on available evidence. As such, it is important that you have a knowledgeable family law attorney by your side to make sure you have the best representation possible. Rashelle Fetty and The Fetty Firm can guide you to the best settlement possible.

Do You Qualify?

Courts can order support if the petitioning spouse lacks enough in property or assets for basic necessities. In addition, one of the following circumstances must be met:

• If a spouse is convicted of an act of family violence against the other spouse or a child during the marriage. These incidents must have occurred during the divorce proceedings or within two years of filing for divorce.
• The petitioning spouse has a physical or mental disability that prevents them from earning adequate income for basic necessities.
• The petitioning spouse has custody of a child from the marriage, and this child is in need of special care for either physical or mental disabilities, causing the parent to be unable to make enough income for basic needs.

What Influences the Court’s Decisions?

Unless there’s a conviction for family violence, the court will begin with the assumption that spousal support is not necessary. With that being said, it’s important that you have an experienced attorney to give you the best chances of getting what you deserve.

If spousal support is appropriate, the court will then determine the amount to award based on several factors, including.

• Available assets at the time of divorce
• The employment and educations certifications of each spouse
• How long the marriage lasted
• The petitioners’ age, employment history, ability to earn, physical health, and emotional health
• Child support
• Destruction, concealment, or fraudulent disposal of joint property
• Marital improprieties such as adultery or abuse
• Family violence history
• Property that each spouse bought into the marriage

Furthermore, spousal support is very limited, lasting anywhere from five years to ten years, depending on how long the marriage lasted.

For the best chances of getting the right settlement, choose Rashelle Fetty and The Fetty Firm. We’ve helped countless clients with family law cases, and we look forward to helping you. You can reach us by calling (214) 546-5746.

If you haven’t considered how a trust could help you pass your wishes and wealth on, you could be making a critical mistake in your estate planning. Especially for individuals with substantial assets, protecting wealth for future generations should at the top of your priority.

Benefits of a Trust

An effective trust is carefully drafted by a qualified attorney and takes into account your specific circumstances and as well as current laws. Not having proper documentation could result in you not reaping the benefiting from the benefits of a trust.

Private Passing of Wealth

One of the most powerful and straightforward ways to use trust is by ensuring that your heirs have timely access to your wealth. When transferring assets through a will, your estate undergoes a procedure known as probate, conducted in state courts.

This probate process can carry some unforeseen negative consequences for the administration of your estate, such as:

• Delays – Probate proceedings can be lengthy, with some taking longer than others. Additionally, if you own property several states, probate may be required in each state.
• Costs – The fees included in probate can be quite substantial. The fees are hefty, even in basic cases, with no conflict between beneficiaries.
• Publicity – The probate process is public. A will becomes a public record once admitted to probate. This means that anyone who wishes to view it can do so. Such transparency can create unwanted scrutiny.

Control the Distribution of Your Assets

Trusts establish possible ways to transfer assets. Such as:

• Distributions for specific purposes – Ability to stipulate that the trustees shall make money available to children or grandchildren only for college tuition or maybe future health care expenses.
• Age-based terminations – The assets in a trust can also be distributed to heirs at periodic intervals. For example, 30% at the age of 40, 30% at the age of 50, and so on.

Building Your Legacy

The purpose of a trust is to help people realize a vision for their assets. With that being said, you should guide the discussion with your attorney with the goals you have for your estate. Overall, trusts can definitely help build your legacy the way you want it. Contact The Fetty Firm today at (214) 546-5746, for more information on our estate planning services.

Securing your child’s well-being is one of the major aspects of being a good parent. In instances when parents divorce, part of the job is ensuring that child support obligations are met. For those currently dealing with child support litigation, contact The Fetty Firm for experienced assistance in family law matters.

Texas Child Support Guidelines

Generally speaking, there are limits to child support amounts in the state of Texas. These limits are referred to as guidelines. These guidelines state that the non-custodial parent must pay:

• 20 % of net income for one child
• 25% for two children
• 30% for three children
• 35% for four children
• 40% for five children
• 40% or more for six or more children

The paying parent is responsible for the child until the age of 18 or high school graduation, whichever comes first.

Guidelines are just guidelines. If both parents can come to a settlement, then this arrangement takes precedence.

Rashelle Fetty and The Fetty Firm explain to clients the ins and outs of the guidelines in the state and will advise you on the best path forward. We can help answer questions about child support law, such as:

• Facing lawsuits for back child support
• Needing to enforce child support orders
• Wishing to modify a child support order

All in all, child support is a complex issue that requires extensive litigation over the years. Rightfully so, clients come to us with all types of questions about child support in the state of Texas.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do these guidelines work?
• How to structure a child support agreement with a former spouse?
• Concerns over paycheck garnishment to fulfill child support obligations?
• In what ways does child health insurance and health care costs factor in?
• What happens in the event that the payee loses their job?
• How does a change in the income factor in?
• Can I challenge the paternity of the child or children in question?
• What grounds can I use so the child support order be modified?
• How does the process work in the event of remarriage?

Contact Us Today

Overall, the best way to act when it comes to child support is with the assistance of an experienced family law attorney, such as Rashelle Fetty and The Fetty Firm. You can reach our law firm by calling (214) 546-5746.

Having a will is arguably one of the most important things a person can do for themselves and their families. This document not only protects your spouse, children, and assets, it also explains how you would like to handle important matters when you have passed away.

While each person and case is unique, here are some common reasons to create a will.

Distribute Your Estate

A will lets you decide on how your estate is handled after your death. Without a will, it’s not certain that your wishes will be carried out. A will helps minimize any type of family fights about your estate that could arise. Essentially, a will allows you to distribute your estate exactly as you desire.

Designate a Guardian

A will also allow you to make an informed decision about who should take care of your minor children. Without a will, the court will take it upon itself to choose among family members or a state-appointed guardian.

Avoid A Lengthy Process

Every estate must go through the probate process, with or without a will. However, a will speeds up the probate process in addition to informing the court on how you would like to divide your estate. Without a will, the court decides how to divide estate without your input.

Minimize Estate Taxes

Another way a will is useful is in minimizing your estate taxes. When distributing your estate to family or charity, it will reduce the value of the estate when it’s time to pay estate taxes. It just comes to show how useful a will can really be.

Prevent Legal Challenges

If you die before drafting a will, part of or all of your estate may be passed on to someone that you didn’t choose. Just imagine the misallocation of millions of dollars due to the absence of a will. To avoid misunderstanding and potential legal issues, make a will as soon as possible.

As you can see, drafting a will is useful for several reasons. Don’t wait to finish the important task and get at it. If you are ready to draft a will, contact The Fetty Firm today by calling (214) 546-5746. You can also learn more by visiting our

Parents have one thing in common. They want the best for their children. Understandably so, we make all the efforts to help parents with their child custody cases.

Generally speaking, child custody is one of the most challenging aspects of divorce. Why? Well, for starters, the litigation process is very lengthy and extensive. Consequently, the best bet is to hire a family law attorney that is familiar with the ins and outs of Texas Child Custody Law.

Rashelle Fetty and The Fetty Firm are here to help. We’ve helped countless parents find the best path for their children. We work to make sure your parental rights and those of your child are always corrected.

Know Your Options

In the state of Texas, there are four custody options available: joint, sole, temporary, and split. Each of these options is different in its own way, and Rashelle will go over each of these options. In addition, you’ll be advised on what option best fits your current circumstances.

Joint Custody

When parents receive joint custody, they both have the right to make decisions for the child. Furthermore, there are certain variations for this type of custody. Shared physical custody, for one, describes the instances when the child has two legal residencies. There is also an option that combines traits of both joint legal and physical custody.

Sole Custody

This type of custody is when one parent is awarded both legal and physical custody of the child. As such, all decisions involving the child’s upbringing, education, health care, and other important matters rest with the designated parent.

Temporary Custody

Although not permanent, temporary custody is still an important part of the child custody litigation process. It refers to where the child will reside during the litigation process. The decision is taken according to the child’s best interest. With that being said, this is only a short-term arrangement.

Split Custody

This type of custody normally involves two or more children. An instance could occur where the courts decide to award full physical custody of one or more children to a single parent. However, neither parent will have full custody of all the children. This arrangement is based on numerous factors, such as the child’s age, where the children wish to live, and other types of factors.

For more information on child custody laws in the State of Texas, contact The Fetty Firm at (214) 546-5746.

The adoption process is lengthy and complicated. However, there is a way to maneuver the steps in a simple way. The Fetty Firm has experience working with future parents to adopt a child. Adoption has numerous benefits for the child and parents. Rashelle Fetty is an experienced family attorney who can help you reap the benefits of adopting a child.

Furthermore, the adoption process is not simple. It requires the right kind of maneuvering to be successful. A simple mistake can set up back or stop the adoption process outright. So, get in touch with The Fetty Firm before you stop the process.

Adoption Steps

The first step you need to take for adoption is to choose which program is best for your family. There are various adoption programs to choose from, and not all of them fit a family’s life. It is also important to decide if adoption is the right choice for your family. There are a lot of things that go into this one action. Consider everything while making this decision. The Fetty Firm can certainly help you analyze specific areas you may feel concerned about.

During this process, you can also choose an adoption professional. Fetty is the best choice when it comes to an adoption professional. She will help you traverse the steps needed for the adoption process. Parents will then need to become an active waiting family or create an adoption plan. This process varies on the program you have chosen. It may involve home studies or adoption profiles.

Next, parents will need to find an adoption opportunity. Parents will need to seek a child in which they can adopt, which can be found in a number of ways. Children’s agencies are one way you can find the child you want to adopt. Once you have found the child you wish to adopt, they will be placed in your home. Now, there is paperwork through this process, and the process is not over.

After the child is placed, there will be some form of contact with an adoption professional and an agency. This contact is to check up on the child simply.

The Fetty Firm Has an Adoption Professional

Get in touch with The Fetty Firm today. Future parents will find that Rashelle Fetty is experienced with the adoption process. She will help you get through this long process. Get in touch with her by calling (214) 546-5746. Of course, future parents can also find more information on The Fetty Firm adoption page.

If you’re currently looking for legal assistance during your adoption process, you should definitely check out the law services offered at The Fetty Firm, PC. As a family law firm, we’ve helped countless clients as they aim to grow their family through the adoption process.

The adoption process is a beautiful avenue towards forming a family. Aside from adding to your family, the adoption process also helps children as they allow them to grow and thrive in a loving environment. Adoption, however, is a very complex and sometimes very lengthy process.

Generally speaking, when going through the adoption process, the best bet for prospective parents is to turn to an experienced attorney when it comes to adoption and parental rights. By doing so, prospective parents will attain the services of an attorney that can help protect their rights while also guiding them towards a successful resolution.

The Fetty Firm’s sole attorney, Rashelle Fetty, is truly dedicated to helping clients find the best path towards a successful adoption process. With vast experience in adoption and parental rights, Rashelle is fully capable of helping clients through the entire process. Thanks to her extensive knowledge of adoption laws in the state of Texas, Rashelle Fetty if capable of helping clients in and around Tarrant County with:

• Stepparent adoption
• Private adoption
• International adoption
• Termination of parental rights
• Unplanned pregnancies
• Infant or older child adoptions
• Special needs adoptions

Overview of Adoption in Texas

Prospective parents looking to adopt in the state of Texas must be at least 21 years of age. Additionally, prospective parents must be financially stable and must house a stable living environment. Furthermore, adoptive households are subject to a thorough home study. Prospective parents will go through a home inspection, background check on the couple, and adults in the home. While also going through financial screening and a thorough evaluation of parenting skills and other aspects of life. Rashelle Fetty and The Fetty Firm are able to help clients with the following scenarios:

• If you’re looking to establish parental rights from a previous relationship
• Grandparent/s who aim to adopt their grandchildren
• Adopting a child through either a domestic or an international agency
• If you want to provide a child from a relative with a comfortable, stable living environment
• Young couples who experience an unplanned pregnancy.

Overall, The Fetty Firm can help with domestic, international, and private adoption processes in addition to assisting with parental rights cases. If you’re about to go forward with your adoption process, you should definitely look into acquiring the services of a family law attorney with vast experience. Contact Rashelle Fetty and The Fetty Firm today to learn more about our services. You can reach us by calling (214) 546-5746 or visiting our website for more about our family law services.

Generally speaking, everyone should take care of basic estate planning. In other words, everyone should make sure that their wishes followed through after their death. By doing so, your family can be spared from unnecessary expenses and delays. Additionally, you’ll have someone you trust in charge of important matters in the instance that you are unable to do so yourself.

Adults in the state of Texas should have the following estate planning documents:

• A will, to leave assets and also to name your executor
• A durable power of attorney for finances, which names a designated person to manage your finances in instances where it’s necessary
• The living will, (In the state Texas, this is called a Directive to Physicians and Family or Surrogates or an advanced directive), this document spells out your end-of-life wishes
• Medical Power of Attorney, a document that names someone to ensure your health care wishes are carried through

Residents of Texas should also look into probate-avoidance. While Texas’ probate is better than other states in terms of simplicity, people tend to prefer to avoid probate court proceedings altogether. The reason for this is that avoiding probate saves families money and hassle. In order to avoid probate, you’ll need to plan ahead of time. Alternatively, your family may be subject to a probate court proceeding. This court proceeding will give families the authority to transfer your assets to those who inherit them. Methods such as a living trust can help avoid probate.

Experienced Estate Planning Attorney

Rashelle Fetty, The Fetty Firm’s sole attorney, has over ten years in the legal sector. This experience proves greatly valuable when providing individualized services to her clients. After all, you need to create an estate plan that fits you and your unique circumstances. If you haven’t taken care of your estate planning yet, the time to do so is now. The Fetty Firm can provide assistance with:

• Advanced Directives/Living Will
• HIPAA Forms
• Trusts
• Designation of Guardian
• Powers of Attorney
• Wills

Contact us today by calling (214) 546-5746 or visiting our website to learn more about our estate planning services.

In the state of Texas, a person who is in the obligation of paying child support is called the “obligor.” On the other side of the spectrum, the “obligee” is the person that is entitled to receive child support. In most cases, the obligee is the person with primary custody of the child. The child usually resides with the obligee, while their expenses are also covered by the obligee.

The obligor is usually the person that doesn’t have primary possession of the children. Furthermore, the obligor may or may not have custody or even access to the children. Oftentimes, the term used to refer to child support issues is “guidelines.” This term is used to refer to the guidelines that are set forth in the state of Texas. Additionally, these guidelines are set for courts to use during the calculation process of the amount of child support owed.

Child Support Duration in Texas

Texas law states that the court “may order either or both parents to support a child” until the following scenarios:

• The child turns 18 years old
• The child graduates from high school (Whichever one comes later)
• If the child is emancipated by marriage
• If the child’s disabilities are removed
• Or if the child dies

However, if the courts deem that the child is disabled (either physically or mentally), the child may be eligible to receive support indefinitely.

Child Support Calculation

When calculating child support, the state’s child support guidelines may be applied. These guidelines set a basic minimum amount for child support, but the courts can and will, at times deviate from these guidelines. There are numerous factors to take into account when calculating the amount of child support. Guidelines are applied at a net monthly income. After the determination of net monthly income, the courts can apply one of two standards:

• The first of these standards apply if an obligor’s net income falls under than $7,500.00
• The second standard is applied in the instance that the net monthly income is greater than $7,000.00

Obviously, there are many more things to look over, and this is only an overview of child support. If you wish to learn more about our child support services, you should definitely contact The Fetty Firm, PC. You can contact us by calling (214) 546-5746. Additionally, you can always visit our website to learn more about child support in Texas.