Family law is the area of law that deals with a variety of matters governing the family relationship, including getting married, getting divorced, adopting a child, and establishing and modifying child support, child visitation and custody.
I apologize for the dry tone of the first portion of this article, but the grievance process is an extremely technical area of the law that many lawyers will never have to experience. The basic fact is that 90% of grievances are initiated against criminal law, family law, and personal injury lawyers. Common sense will tell you that Insurance Companies rarely file grievances against their defense counsel. Large Corporations rarely file grievances against their corporate lawyers. I think they just fire them.The involvement of public members and the procedure for classifying grievances as complaints arises from legislation adopted in response to public perception that the lawyer grievance system was operated as a good old boy network. The public perception of lawyers is not improving therefore it is extremely unlikely that any relaxation of the requirements of the grievance procedure will occur. Please understand that when you fail to return phone calls; when you fail to keep clients reasonably informed with regard to their proceedings; when you fail to keep and provide adequate records regarding disbursement of fees; any such complaint, from any source, will result in the potential for a grievance hearing on whether professional misconduct occurred.
Medical benefits are paid by your company's workers' compensation insurance carrier. The insurance carrier will pay for reasonable and necessary medical treatment of a compensable injury if your employer has worker's compensation insurance. These bills include pharmacy charges and medical supplies ordered by your treating physician.
You probably do not need an attorney if you are absolutely positive that you are not injured and the insurance company has fairly and quickly settled your property damage claim. However, in most cases involving personal injuries, an attorney is necessary to protect your legal rights.
Neil G. Baron specializes in the areas of personal injury, employment law disputes, and civil litigation. Mr. Baron received his B. A. degree from Georgetown University and his J. D. degree from the University of Houston. He is board certified in the areas of personal injury and trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
I am prepared to meet with you individually and determine whether a simple will is sufficient or whether you need advanced estate planning. That decision will be based primarily on whether your net assets are in excess of the amount presently exempt from estate tax under the law. If it appears as though you require advanced estate planning, we will be happy to provide referrals to lawyers who specialize in estate planning.
Wills
Every person who has attained the age of eighteen years, or who is or has been lawfully married, or how is a member of the armed forces of the United States shall have the right and power to make a Last Will and Testament in the state of Texas. A will is generally defined as an instrument by which a person makes a disposition of his property to take effect at his death. The Texas statute governing execution of attested wills is one of the most liberal of any state. All that is required is that the will be signed by Testator and attested by two witnesses over the age of fourteen each of whom must sign in the presence of the Testator and in the presence of a notary public. A self-proving affidavit constitutes evidence of the validity of the will s execution. A person may change his or her will or draft a new will at any time during his or her lifetime.
Power of Attorney
Additionally, when executing a will it is possible to execute other documents to make it easier for your heirs to properly take care of you and your assets in the event of death or catastrophic injury. Examples are a Statutory Power of Attorney which can be executed separately or in conjunction with a will giving certain rights to the designated individual in the event of injury causing incompetence or death. Additionally, a Directive to Physicians can also be executed simultaneously with a will thereby insuring that your wishes with regard to life support are followed in the event of catastrophic injury or death.