Dallas Family Law Blog | The Shapiro Law Firm

Peer pressure and teen crime: A concern for parents

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm on Wednesday, March 27, 2019.

Parents often act shocked and surprised when they find out that their teenager committed a crime. They can't believe their child got arrested. Sometimes, they honestly do not believe that the police officers are telling the truth. They think there has to be another explanation.

The reason for this is often that the teen simply acts differently around their parents than they do around their friends. The parents honestly do not know this "other person" that the teenager becomes. And that is problematic when the teen falls in with the wrong crowd and faces peer pressure to break the law.

Can you legally protect your retirement account in a divorce?

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm on Wednesday, March 27, 2019.

For many couples, choosing how to split up assets in a divorce is one of the hardest parts of the process. Each spouse probably has their own opinion about what is reasonable and fair given the circumstances of the marriage. In many cases, neither opinion really lines up with what the law states is appropriate.

Adjusting your expectations to reflect what is reasonable and likely is an important step for those going through divorce. Failing to work with the realities of how the courts divide assets could lead either to wasted time and money litigating unnecessarily or the accidental violation of the law if you try to hide assets.

How can a Texas DWI affect your career?

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm on Monday, February 25, 2019.

Most people understand that there are legal consequences to getting charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Texas. The fact that a DWI carries jail time, steep fines, the loss of one's driving privileges and potentially the requirement for an ignition interlock device is common knowledge.

What fewer people stop to consider is how a DWI could affect their job. Anyone charged with criminal offense, including DWI, may find that the consequences to their professional career are as significant as the criminal consequences.

Want to ask for a prenuptial agreement? Do these things

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm on Tuesday, February 12, 2019.

As your wedding day closes in, it's natural to face a bit of stress and anxiety. When you throw in a conversation about creating a prenuptial agreement, you could soon find yourself needing a break.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to ease the tension that's often associated with discussing the creation of a prenuptial agreement.

Lindsey Wynne Best Lawyer Under 40 by D magazine

By The Shapiro Law Firm on Friday, February 8, 2019.

Lindsey Wynne of The Shapiro Law Firm is a passionate, committed and experienced trial attorney. In recognition of those attributes, D magazine recently named her to its 2019 list of Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas. To compile its list, D magazine surveyed more than 5,000 attorneys. Only 73 attorneys made the list, though there are 3,000 or more attorneys under the age of 40 in the Dallas area.

How juvenile justice differs from adult justice in Texas

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm on Wednesday, January 23, 2019.

The criminal justice system is confusing, even for those facing straightforward charges. When a criminal offense involves complicating factors, such as a teenage offender, the system may become much more convoluted and difficult to understand.

Many people lack an understanding of how Texas really handles juvenile offenses and approaches juvenile justice. Contrary to popular belief, juvenile offenses do not receive identical treatment to adult offenses. The focus is not solely on incarceration and punishment.

Struggles with addiction can lead to criminal charges in Texas

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm on Friday, January 4, 2019.

Drug addicts often face serious social stigma, along with criminal consequences for their choices. Although many people like to imagine that addiction is a choice, there is plenty of reason to believe that addiction is really a disease. Some people have a genetic proclivity toward addiction that they inherit from their families. This can explain why some households have multiple generations of drug addicts or alcoholics.

Family environments and culture can also strongly influence someone's likelihood to abuse drugs later in life. Everything from neglect to overt physical abuse can contribute to drug abuse issues in the future. Unfortunately, our society still treats those who struggle with addiction as nothing more than criminals. These individuals often face castigation and shame instead of support and rehabilitative services.

Could a high school fight result in juvenile assault charges?

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm on Friday, January 4, 2019.

Raising a teenager isn't easy. After all, teenagers aren't exactly known for having the best decision-making powers. In many ways, despite their rapidly maturing brains and bodies, they are still very young. Teenagers often do not thoroughly consider the consequences of their actions.

Combine that with hormones and the social stresses of high school, and you have the recipe for a potential legal disaster. An argument in the high school hallways or at a sporting event could quickly spiral out of control and result in a physical altercation. If one or more of the people involved ends up severely injured or chooses to press charges, the end result could be serious juvenile criminal consequences for the teenagers involved in the fight.

Peer pressure can spur criminal activity

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm on Wednesday, December 19, 2018.

You never knew your child was engaging in criminal behavior until you got the call telling you they'd gotten arrested. You were shocked. You never thought you'd find yourself in this position.

You're also worried about your child's future. You hoped he or she would go to a good school, maybe pursue an advanced degree and then start a productive career. You're worried that a conviction could destroy that future instantly. It feels like such a waste and you're heartbroken about what your child's life could become.

What's the best way to prepare your finances for divorce?

On behalf of Todd Shapiro of The Shapiro Law Firm on Tuesday, November 20, 2018.

The way you prepare your finances for divorce will affect you during the process, as well as in the future. This is why it's so important to take all the right steps at the right time.

While you don't have to prepare in the exact same way as the next person, there are some basic tips you can follow. Here are five things to keep you on track:

Gather everything you need: The divorce process is full of paperwork and documentation. Collect all your financial records up front so that you have what you need in the future. You don't want to find yourself without something of importance, as it can slow things down and cause unnecessary stress.
Make note of your assets and debts: A checklist of your assets and debts will help you prepare for property division. It will also help you secure the assets that you're entitled to.
Review your credit report: It's good to know what you're up against in regard to your finances, as things won't be the same once you're on your own. If you find that your credit is not up to par, now's the time to take action.
Create a budget: Don't wait until the last minute to do this. The sooner you have a budget to guide you, the sooner you can make decisions that will improve your finances now and in the future. A financial planner can help with this if you have questions.
Open separate accounts: While you may have to keep joint accounts open until the end of the divorce process, it makes sense to set up an individual checking account and get a credit card in your name only. In this way, you can begin building your credit history.