Many Texans believe probate is a simple formality. In reality, probate can quietly drain an estate, delay distributions, and place families under unnecessary stress—often during one of the most difficult times of their lives. While Texas probate can be more efficient than in some states, it is s...
Being charged with domestic violence in Texas is overwhelming—and for many people, it happens fast. One argument. One 911 call. Suddenly, you're facing arrest, bond conditions, no-contact orders, and the real possibility of jail time. Even if you believe the allegations are exaggerated or false,...
As the calendar turns to a new year, many people assume the courts reset too. They don't. But January does matter in Texas courtrooms. Judges often come back with full dockets, firm expectations, and very little patience for defendants who think a new year excuses old obligations. If you have a...
The New Year has a way of resetting us. Students return to school.Adults return to work.Routines begin again. Even if life hasn't slowed down much, something shifts internally. We look forward instead of backward. Hope feels a little more alive. We start thinking about who we want to become and...
For many Texas families, December 28 marks a turning point in the holiday season. Under the Texas Standard Possession Order (SPO), Christmas holiday possession typically ends on December 28, and children transition back to the other parent. While Christmas Day has passed, emotions often have not....
Many Texans know they should have an estate plan. What stops most people isn't a lack of love for their family—it's the belief that they have more time, or that things will “work themselves out later.” Unfortunately, waiting is often what creates the biggest legal and financial problems for fami...
New Year's Eve is often overlooked in custody planning—but for children, it can be a powerful moment of reflection, transition, and emotional reset. After Christmas excitement and December 28 exchanges, many children are tired, emotionally full, and adjusting once again to routines and households...
As the new year approaches, many Texans realize they still don't have an estate plan. If that sounds familiar, you are not alone. National studies consistently show that most adults in the United States do not have even basic estate planning documents in place. Yet estate planning is one of the m...
Life can change in an instant. A medical emergency, accident, illness, or sudden decline can leave you unable to make decisions for yourself—sometimes temporarily, sometimes permanently. When that happens, one critical question comes into focus: Who has the legal authority to act for you? In T...
Christmas is a time for reflection, gratitude, and connection—and this year, more than ever, we want to pause and say thank you. To our clients, friends, colleagues, and everyone we've had the privilege of helping this year: thank you for trusting us during some of the most important and challen...
Christmas Eve carries a special kind of magic for children—but it can also bring big emotions, fatigue, and overstimulation. For families navigating co-parenting schedules, exchanges, or long-distance travel, Christmas Eve works best when it's simple, predictable, and emotionally safe. At Barina...
December 22 is one of the busiest travel days of the year. Airports are crowded, highways are full, and holiday schedules are tight. For parents sharing custody, travel day often overlaps with possession exchanges, long-distance visitation, and heightened emotions for children. At Barina Law Gro...
Holiday exchanges can be one of the most stressful moments of the season for co-parents. Time pressure, heightened emotions, travel delays, and unresolved conflict often collide right at the exchange point—when children are watching closely. How parents handle these moments can shape a child's em...
Christmas is often the most emotionally charged time of year for children—especially when they are transitioning between homes, traveling long distances, or navigating multiple family celebrations. Even children who are excited about Christmas can feel anxious, sad, or overwhelmed by holiday tran...
The days leading up to Christmas are often filled with anticipation—and for many families, limited but precious parenting time. When children are coming and going between households, simple shared experiences can strengthen bonds far more than elaborate plans. One of the easiest, most meaningful ...
Texas custody law is built around one core principle:the best interest of the child. Under the Texas Family Code, possession and access are designed to: Promote a strong parent-child relationship Encourage frequent and continuing contact Support emotional, educational, and physica...
When parents live far apart, travel becomes one of the biggest stress points in child custody cases—especially around holidays, summer break, and school schedules. Texas law recognizes this reality. That is why long-distance travel provisions can and should be customized to fit your family's situ...
December is one of the busiest travel months of the year. Between school breaks, holiday visitation schedules, family gatherings, and last-minute plans, parents often find themselves juggling logistics while trying to keep children safe, calm, and comfortable. For families in Central Texas—inclu...
When comedian Amy Schumer quietly announced her separation from her husband, chef Chris Fischer, after nearly seven years of marriage, the news made headlines—not because of scandal, but because of what didn't happen. There were no public court filings, no heated courtroom drama, and no tabloid-...
Few things say “Christmas” like a warm mug of hot cocoa and a table full of holiday desserts. These simple traditions create comfort, connection, and memories—especially for children. For families navigating co-parenting, blended households, or new traditions after divorce, sharing familiar flavo...
Christmas morning is one of the most anticipated moments of the year for children. The excitement, the surprises, the sense of magic — these moments become lifelong memories. For parents navigating co-parenting schedules, blended families, or post-divorce transitions, creating a calm and meaningf...
The Christmas season is often portrayed as joyful and carefree, but for many children, it can be emotionally complex. Changes in routine, transitions between households, family conflict, financial stress, or the absence of a parent can impact a child's mental and emotional well-being. At Barina ...
We recognize that co-parenting is not optional when children are involved. It is a critical, child-centered approach that directly affects emotional stability, development, and long-term wellbeing. In Texas, courts are guided by the principle that the best interests of the child must always come ...
The holiday season has a way of slowing everything down—except emotions. After Thanksgiving, and as Christmas approaches, many parents in Bell County experience a familiar pattern:children travel to see the other parent… anticipation builds… hopes rise… and then, after Christmas, the children le...
Your estate plan should never be treated as a one-time task. It is a living set of documents that must evolve as your life, family, and finances change. Unfortunately, many Texans update their estate plan only partially—or overlook critical areas entirely—creating gaps that lead to confusion, fam...
