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Tarrant County Adoption Attorney

Tarrant County Adoption

The Tarrant County Adoption process is lengthy and complicated. However, there is a way to maneuver the steps , simply.

The Fetty Firm has experience working with future parents to adopt a child.We will make sure you go through each step with our assistance so that you can build a stable family unit.

Adoption has numerous benefits for the child and parents. Rashelle Fetty is an experienced family law 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 Fetty Firm can help you adopt the child of your dreams.

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.

Tarrant County Estate Planning – Wills & Probate

Tarrant County Estate Planning

Probate is when a will goes through a legal process to determine if it is authentic. It is a common legal procedure, but it is also very timely. Wills that go through probate takes time and money, which is why some try to avoid it altogether. There is a way to skip probate, and there may be scenarios when you would want to skip the process. Find a Tarrant County Estate Planning Attorney who will help educate you on these facts.

Wills are used to pass on property to beneficiaries once a person dies. If a will is not established, then the courts will create one and distribute property how they see fit. Wills are very beneficial for the families after a family member’s death and the testate, the person dying. The family will have a more comfortable process after their loved one’s passing. Plus, their loved one will have peace of mind when they do pass.

Ways of Avoiding Probate

Most wills go through probate.

There are ways of avoiding probate, but there needs to be careful planning. Firstly, it is best to have a will. Those who die without wills may also require probate. You may want to avoid probate to skip the many legal fees you will incur or avoid the estate taxes. Your reason may also simply be privacy.

Regardless of the reason, there are ways of avoiding probate. One way of avoiding this lengthy legal process is to set up a revocable living trust. Property is placed into the trust that is only accessible to the owner. Once they die, the property is given to a beneficiary, and no probate is needed.

Life insurance policies are another way you can avoid probate. They require policyholders to add a beneficiary to the plan. Once the holder passes, then the property is passed on to the beneficiary. Retirement plans may also be another option, but not all of them work the same way.

In general, you will most likely go through probate. Unless you actively plan to avoid it, the process will most likely occur. That said, probate is relatively inexpensive, and the process has been streamlined over the years.

Take the time to research what you want. Find an Estate Planning Lawyer that can help you understand what is important. Find an attorney that will make you feel comfortable.

Call for a Will or a Probate Lawyer

If you are needing to create a will or want probate assistance, get in touch with The Fetty Firm. Rashelle Fetty has years of experience with family court. Give her firm a call at (214) 546-5746. Clients should also visit her will and probate pages to find out more about the process.

Child Support Modification

Clients commonly express concern to regarding possible changes to their income during a divorce in relation to their obligations to pay child support. What I usually tell them is in general after a divorce property issues are done. However, under the law of Texas child issues are generally not done until after the child graduates high school or turns 18 whichever comes later.

Basically this means that child support law was written with the understanding that the person responsible for paying child support’s financial situation may change. Jobs change. Life changes. Situations shift.

When these changes happen, a person is allowed file a “Petition to Modify” the child support order on the basis that there has been a “substantial change in circumstance”

Possible reasons for a substantial change in circumstance may include:

a serious illness
change in employment, or
even being deployed in the military

It is good for a client to know they have these options

When to Modify Child Support

Something parents should keep in mind is that child support is not supposed to be a bad thing, revenge or a form of punishment. Child support serves a real purpose to serve real needs of the child.

Another consideration when deciding whether to file for a modification should be a cost benefit analysis on whether it is worth it financially or emotionally. For example, if you file:

The other parent may file asking for a change of their own for something else
If you hire an attorney it’s going to cost, your money to get the change and if the difference in child support is not very much then you may be spending $2000 to get $40 extra dollars a month.
Alternatively, if you go through the Office of the Attorney General’s office you may get the State of Texas to handle the modification for you for free. However, this may take a very long time to get them to Act. If the change is substantial, then it is probably worth hiring an attorney to get the change done quicker.

Tarrant County Child Support Modification Attorneys

The Fetty Firm, PC is dedicated to helping you and your family find the solution that works best for everyone. We understand things may have changed from the time child support decision was made, and we will work to promote the best interests of you and your child in the modification of the child support order.

The Duty to Support

In Texas, parents have the legal obligation to support their children until the child reaches the age of 18, or until the child stops going to high school whichever is later.

If your child was disabled before his or her 18th birthday, that duty will extend into adulthood. This duty to support does not apply to children who are self-supporting, living away from home (if over the age of 16) or married. If the parent who pays child support dies, the obligation to pay does not die with him, but will accelerate and be due immediately from his or her estate.

You may not stop paying your child support simply because you believe the amount is too much, or because you have been denied visitation with your child. In both cases, there are legal remedies available to you, and you should talk to a lawyer.

Likewise, filing for bankruptcy will not relieve you of your duty to pay child support. Even if your debts are discharged, you must continue to pay child support.

How Child Support Amounts are Determined

The amount of child support you will pay is determined by the court under statutory guidelines. The court is required to look at the following 5 factors when deciding how much child support is appropriate:

The statutory guidelines
The needs of the child
The ability of the parents to support the child
Any other resources available to support the child
The amount of access to the child the parent has

The statutory guidelines are somewhat complicated. The amount of child support recommended by the statute is a fixed percentage of the parent’s “net resources”, taking into account the number of children involved. For example, a parent will pay 20% of his net resources in child support if he has one child, but he will pay 40% if he has five. The law presumes that the statutory guidelines are reasonable and in the child’s best interest.

A parent’s “net resources” include all of their income, minus some deductions for things like FICA, income tax and health insurance costs for the children. Net resources are capped. That cap can change every few years. Even if you make more than that amount, the court will not order additional support unless the child has special needs or extraordinary circumstances exist.

Your attorney can review your child support obligations and finances with you to determine whether the statutory guidelines were applied correctly in your case.

Modification of the Support Order

There are two circumstances where the support order might be modified. First, if the circumstances of either parent or the child have changed, the court may modify the order.

Some examples of changes of circumstance which might warrant a modification include:

Release from prison
Serious illness or injury
The birth or adoption of another child
Deployment or being called to Active Duty

Second, the court may modify the order if it is not in line with the statutory guidelines. However, the order will only be modified if three years have elapsed since the order was entered, and the amount of support differs from the guidelines by either 20% or $100.

Either parent may file a Motion to Modify the Support Order with the court.

Contact Rashelle Fetty and The Fetty Firm at (214) 546-5746 to for more information.

Metroplex Divorce Lawyer

Metroplex Divorce Attorney

As unfortunate as divorces can be, the fact is that they are common occurrences. Simply put, sometimes things just don’t work out. Regardless of the reason for the divorce, these types of cases can be stressful, painful, and quite complex. If you live in or near Tarrant County and are seeking an experienced divorce attorney, turn to Rashelle Fetty and The Fetty Firm. We have vast experience in various types of divorce cases and will work diligently to advocate for your best interests. With The Fetty Firm, you can expect a great work ethic as we aim to get you the best divorce settlement possible. There are many Metroplex Divorce Attorneys, trust us.

General Overview of Divorce in Texas

Our sole attorney, Rashelle Fetty, founded The Fetty Firm 6+ years ago and has helped countless clients as they navigate the oftentimes complex divorce process. Additionally, we have experience with clients dealing with cases such as child custody, child support, and spousal support. Above all, our goal is to provide compassionate and understanding support to all of our clients. Contact us at your earliest convenience to learn more about why we’re a leading firm in North Texas.

Overview of Divorces in the State of Texas

If you’re in the process of getting a divorce, you should aim to acquire the services of an experienced law firm. We’ve assisted countless clients in navigating complex and high-conflict divorce litigation. Here are some of the aspects of divorce we can help you with:

Comprehensive Divorce Planning
Uncontested and contested divorce cases
High-asset/high net worth cases
Marriage Annulment
Much more

Comprehensive Divorce Planning

There are some things you should keep in mind when divorcing in Texas. For one, grounds for divorce in Texas include:

Adultery
Three years of confinement for incurable insanity
Felony conviction and imprisonment for over one year
Cruel and inhumane treatment
Insupportability

The divorce process can be very lengthy. Some cases can wrap up in as little as 2-3 months. However, some cases can take up as much as 18-24 months. The length of the process depends on factors such as the complexities of the case and the level of disagreement. In the state of Texas, legal separation is not recognized by the courts. As such, even if a married couple “separate,” any property or debt acquired while married is still considered community property and debt. In divorce cases, the best bet is to have an experienced family law attorney by your side. Contact Rashelle Fetty and The Fetty Firm at (214) 546-5746 to for more information.

Metroplex Divorce Attorney

Tarrant County Estate Planning

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

Texas Estate Planning

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

Family Law Firm in Texas

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

Modifying Child Support and Custody Orders

When dealing with situations such as child custody and child support, there might come a time where you’ll need to seek a child support lawyer for modified court orders. Why would this happen? Well, in some instances, the original court order may have been unfair or unworkable from the get-go.

In other cases, the circumstances in which the original order was based on may change. Circumstances can vary, including the children grow older, a change in financial situation, or a change in living arrangements.

In these situations, a modification of orders could be needed, whether it’s custody, support, or visitation rights. Finding yourself in these types of situations may seem complex, but it doesn’t have to be with the assistance of a qualified attorney.

Texas Family Law firm

Child Support Modifications

In Colleyville, child support orders can be modified under Texas law is one of these conditions is met:

More than three years since the establishment of the order or last modification
The monthly amount of the orders differs by either 20% or $1oo from the amount that would be awarded based on the guidelines
A “material and substantial” change since the last support order

Child Custody Modifications

State law allows modifications of child custody orders to petitions filed by either parent at any given moment. This is as long as it is filed in the court that granted the divorce originally. In the event of relocation, the petition could be filed in the new.

If both parties agree that a custody order is needed, the proposal must be submitted to the courts. The court reviews the proposal, often approves it and becomes legally enforceable.

Top-Rated Attorney in Texas

One thing to note is that if both parties don’t agree on the need for modifications, then an extensive litigation process begins. The law stipulates that the petitioning parent must demonstrate that:

The child is of at least 12 years of age and wishes to live with the other parent
Material and substantial change (like a losing a job, job relocation, income, abuse and neglect, substance abuse, or medical condition)
The modification in the order is in the best interest of the child.

For more information on modifying orders, contact Rashelle and The Fetty Firm at (214) 546-5746. Moreover, you can also learn more by visiting our modification of orders webpage.

Advanced Directive

Advanced Directive in Tarrant County

An advanced directive, also known as a living will, is an important aspect of estate planning. In short, this document provides doctors and caregivers instructions on what medical treatments you do or don’t want in the case that you’re unable to give those instructions yourself. Those instructions can include orders such as don’t resuscitate and orders regarding organ donation. By creating a living will now, you’ll ensure your last wishes are carried out while also preventing potential problems with loved ones. Living wills typically cover:

General Overview of Living Wills

Resuscitation, such as CPR or an electric shock to the heart
Breathing machines
Tube Feeding
Dialysis
Medicine
Palliative care
Organ donations

Overview of Living Wills in Texas

A valid living will meets the following conditions:

The declarant must be in a state of competence
A requirement of two witnesses
The living will can be oral with two witnesses and a present physician
A written directive becomes part of your medical records. If the directive is oral, the witnesses have to sign the medical record
Advanced directives are not operative for pregnant patients

Top-Rated Attorney in Texas

Keep in mind that livings wills can be revoked at any time. You can sign and date the revocation or choose to do it orally. The revocation of the document takes effect one the document of intent is sent to an attending physician or when the physician is notified of the revocation. This document will remain valid until it’s revoked. Even more, there are additional legal conditions that’ll apply to these documents. As such, it’s best to contact an experienced attorney for a better understanding. Rashelle Fetty and The Fetty Firm can provide answers to your questions.

If you wish to learn more about this delicate matter, contact us at your earliest convenience. You can reach us by calling (214) 546-5746. Moreover, you can set an appointment by clicking here. Together, we’ll work towards a comprehensive, advanced directive based on your circumstances.

Tarrant County Estate Planning – What is a Will? What is a trust?

What is a will? What is a trust?

Estate Planning in Tarrant County

You may have used or heard of the words “will” and “trust.” Some people believe they are interchangeable, but that is not the case. On the surface, these two documents may be very similar, but they have several differences. A will is used to distribute any property you have after your death. A trust is when a trustee signs over property to another known as beneficiary.

Trusts can start once it is completed, upon a person’s death, or after. A will takes effect after the person has died. There are other significant differences between a will or trust. The Fetty Firm specializes in both of these documents. If you are interested in setting up either, get in touch with the firm today. Rashelle Fetty is the owner and sole attorney at the firm. She can help you decide which document is best.

Sit down with a Tarrant County Estate Planning Attorney so that you can learn what it is that you need for your situation.

Major Differences of these Documents

A will and trust are not the same thing.

One major difference between the documents is a will only distributes the property under your name. If you have any property that is owned jointly, that will not be distributed. When it comes to a trust, the property must be in the name of the trust to be distributed. Another major difference is that wills go through probate. Probate is when a will goes through court to prove its authenticity.

If there is no will when a person dies, then the court can distribute the property how they like. Wills are not private records since they go through probate. Trusts bypass probate and are remained private. Additionally, trusts are capable of planning for disability or saving for taxes. It cannot specify a specific person or funeral arrangements.

Wills and trusts have their advantages and disadvantages. It is important families know the differences and determine which document is best for them. The Fetty Firm can help clients find the right document for their future. There is a wide range of reasons to choose one over the other. Let Rashelle Fetty help you make that difficult decision.

Choose the Right Document

Get in touch with The Fetty Firm today. You can reach our firm by calling (214) 546-5746. Clients should also visit our pages about wills and trusts. They provide important information that may help you decide which document is better.

Estate Planning – Tarrant County

Child Custody Lawyer in Tarrant County

Child Custody in Tarrant County

In the state of Texas, child custody is oftentimes referred to as “conservatorship.” So instead of referring to a parent as a “custodian,” courts in the state of Texas are referred to as a “conservator.” Furthermore, conservatorship is the term that describes the legal rights and responsibilities of a parent.

A family law judge decides on the detailed terms of a conservatorship. In the case that both parents come to an agreement for a custody plan, then the courts will just approve a written agreement. In all custody cases, the most important concern for courts is what is the best interest of the child. Moreover, here are the two types of conservatorship in the state of Texas:

Joint Managing Conservatorship (JMC)
Sole Managing Conservatorship (SMC)

Rights Included in a Conservatorship

Child Custody Laws in Texas

For the most part, a conservatorship includes the following rights:

Getting information from the other parent about the child’s health, education, and welfare of the child
Obtaining access to psychological, dental, medical, and education records of the child
Ability to speak to a psychologist, physician, or dentist about the child
Speaking to a school’s officials regarding the welfare and education status of the child, with the inclusion of school activities
Consent to dental, surgical, and medical treatment during an emergency involving dangers to both the health and safety of the child

Joint Managing Conservatorship

In a Joint Managing Conservatorship (JMC), both parties share the duties and the rights of a parent. Even in this situation, one parent is awarded the exclusive right to make certain decisions. In the case that both parties are named conservators, the courts will specify the responsibilities of each parent separately and jointly.

Legal assistance for family law and estate planning

Sole Managing Conservatorship

An SMC, or Sole Managing Conservatorship, means that a single parent has the right to make certain decisions regarding the child. Additionally, an SMC gives the designated parent rights, such as:

Making a decision on the primary residence of the child
Ability to consent to medical and dental treatment
Consenting to a psychiatric and psychological treatment
Legal right to attend school activities
Right to receive child support
Ability to make decisions concerning the child’s education

Keep in mind that this is simply an overview of child custody laws in Texas. If you want to learn more about our child custody law services, contact us by calling (214) 546-5746. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you in your child custody case.

A Tarrant County Child Custody Lawyer is important. It is important to have an attorney that is well-versed in the local laws. It is important to have an attorney that is capable of doing what needs to be done to make the process smooth.

Tarrant County Divorce: Are you ready for a divorce?

Is it time for a divorce?

Find a Tarrant County Divorce Attorney

Tarrant County Divorce Attorney Near Me

Finding a family attorney that is close to you is important. The Fetty Firm is your Colleyville, Tarrant County attorney. However, when you are wanting a divorce, you need to think, “Are you ready for a divorce?”

A few questions that are important to investigate when deciding if you’re ready for a divorce:

Have I voiced my concerns about our marriage to my spouse? Have we really tried to work on our problems?
Am I threatening divorce out of frustration, spite, anger, or as a warning?
Would I honestly be happier without my spouse?
What would my life look like without my spouse?
Am I ready to handle the negative consequence of divorce?
Do I still have feelings for my spouse?

Be true to yourself when answering these questions.

There’s a concept to explore called “divorce readiness” It’s essentially the idea of whether a person is emotionally ready to go through with a divorce. The questions above reveal the emotional toll that a divorce can take, and also highlight just how dramatic and life-changing divorce can be.

In divorce, each person involved typically has a differing level of divorce readiness. Many times, the person who is preparing to file for divorce has a higher degree of divorce readiness than the person who is about to be served with a petition. That stands to reason — if someone is making legal preparations to get divorced, that person is undergoing the emotional preparation to get there.

The other person in the relationship may have a sense his or her spouse wants a divorce, and may even want to get divorced also. But the feeling of wanting to get divorced and actually going through the divorce process are two very different things. It often takes time and energy to get both people on the same page.

Find the perfect Tarrant County Divorce Attorney for you.

If you are looking for a Tarrant County Divorce attorney then you need to come to The Fetty Firm. Contact The Fetty Firm, PC today to learn more about how our Texas Divorce Firm can help you.

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