A common question I come across in my practice is when marital property and salaries have been used to pay the mortgage on a house the other spouse owned prior to marriage. Read the rest of this entry »
Archive for September, 2009
09.17.09
In re Lay Wah – Correct Application of the Law but Probably a Bad Result
This is a case where application of the rules (which is always the correct thing to do) produced a bad result for the kids and demonstrates the problem when children from non-Hague countries are part of the litigation. In re Lay Wah, ___ S.W.3d ___, 2009 WL 2152565 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2009, no pet. h.) Here is the quick facts: Father is a U.S. citizen born in Taiwan. Mother is not a U.S. citizen, and was born in Singapore. They were residents of Beijing when they married in Las Vegas in 1997. Read the rest of this entry »
09.16.09
Final Reminder – Dallas Bar Association, Family Law Section, first monthly social at the Havana Social Club
The Dallas Bar Association, Family Law Section, first monthly social from 6pm to 8pm. at the Havana Social Club is today (September 16th 2009) at: 3030 Olive Street Suite 103 (Victory Plaza)| Dallas, TX 75219 | 214-303-0544
Mr. Granata is the chair for this social and invites all Family Law Section members and colleagues to attend. Come have a beverage on the section after a hard day of litigating. Section Members receive two complimentary beverage tickets.
Location to be announced. Mr. Granata is the chair for this social.
09.15.09
Obtained $2,500.00 in Discovery Sanctions and Pleadings Struck
Mr. Granata successfully struck the pleadings against an opposing party for discovery abuse and successfully obtained a judgment for $2,500.00 for costs.
09.11.09
Remembering 9/11/2001
Saying a prayer to those who rushed to aid and to those who walked through the Valley of Death on 9.11.2001
Rest In Peace Noell…friend, teammate, fraternity brother…http://www.legacy.com/gb2/default.aspx?bookID=146244
09.10.09
Texas Decides to Abolish Children’s Choices
As noted in my article on the Legislative updates from the 2009 legislative session a child’s written preference of the parent that child would like to designate primary residence is gone. I think it’s important to note they did away with written preference but a child’s stated preference is still relevant to a best interest analysis. Read the rest of this entry »
09.09.09
Mr. Granata’s paper for his September 2009 Speaking Engagement for the Dallas Area Paralegals Association, Family Law Section
2009 FAMILY LAW LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
This paper summarizes pertinent bills that became law effective September 1st, 2009. A lot of the work done to create, draft, and pass these bills was handled by the Texas Family Law Foundation. Read the rest of this entry »
09.08.09
De Novo Appeal successfully defended
De Novo Appeal filed by the opposing party after losing primary custody was successfully defended. Over $2,000 in costs were assessed against the opposing party in favor of Mr. Granata’s client. Jury trial set for mid 2010.
09.08.09
Mr. Granata is speaking at the September 2009 meeting of the Dallas Area Paralegal Association Family Law section
Mr. Granata is speaking at the September 2009 meeting of the Dallas Area Paralegal Association – Family Law Section this Thursday at the Belo Mansion. The topic of the speech will be the legislative changes and updates from the 2009 Texas legislative session that impact family and divorce law.