The OAG is Not Accepting Direct Payment Affidavits Anymore… (Or Are They?)
A Rumor, a Reality Check, and What Texas Family Lawyers Actually Need to Know I heard something in mediation last week from a lawyer whose judgment I respect – and it stopped me in my tracks. She told me she had heard that the OAG is no longer accepting Affidavits of Direct Payment. We both […]
I’m Still Standing (For Now): Why Nonparent SAPCRs Can Collapse – Even After Mediation
By John Millard & Walter Armatys For years, many Texas family lawyers treated nonparent standing as a front-end issue. If standing survived the initial pleadings or an early hearing, it was assumed to be settled for the remainder of the case. However, recent changes to the Texas Family Code – and two significant appellate opinions […]
School Choice Showdown: How to Allocate Educational Rights in Mediation Under H.B. 2495
If you’ve mediated or tried a custody case in the last few years, you already know that school-choice disputes have turned into one of the biggest sticking points in Texas family law. Parents aren’t just arguing about curriculum anymore. They’re battling over public vs. private, charters, magnets, out-of-district transfers, and everything in between. And because […]
New Rules for Reunification Therapy: Navigating HB 3783 In Texas Custody Cases
In the high-stakes world of Texas family law custody disputes, few tools have been as frequently used—and often abused—as court-ordered counseling, particularly in the context of “reunification therapy”. But with the passage of House Bill 3783, effective June 20, 2025, that landscape has shifted significantly. This new legislation amends Section 153.010 of the Texas Family Code, placing […]
Spousal Maintenance Gets Real: Why Mehta Is Your New Go-To Case
The Texas Supreme Court’s June 2025 decision in Mehta v. Mehta (No. 23-0507) is a game-changer for family lawyers and mediators. It grounds spousal maintenance in real-world family realities, not just in spreadsheets. If you’re navigating support for a stay-at-home caregiver or challenging maintenance claims, this case is your new toolkit essential. The Court didn’t rewrite Texas Family […]