Recent Texas Family Law Cases

2006-07 Family Law Decisions of the Texas Supreme Court

In the Estate of Marvin Nash, No. 05-0538 (Tex. Apr. 20, 2007)(Opinion by Jefferson)(effect of divorce on will)

In Re Alvin Green, No. 06-0496 (Tex. Apr. 20, 2007)(per curiam)(contractual alimony not enforceable by contempt, habeas granted)

Re Ricky Derzapf, No. 06-0669 (Tex. Mar. 23, 2007)(per curiam)(family law, SAPCR, grandparent access / visitation suit, parent prevails over grandparent access claim, mandamus granted) Citation: In re Derzapf, 219 S.W.3d 327 (Tex. 2007). Also see In re Mays-Hooper, 189 S.W.3d 777 (Tex. 2006); Troxel v. Granville, 530 U.S. 57 (2000)

Zipp v. Wuemling, 218 S.W.3d 71 (Tex. 2007) (per curiam)
Zipp v. Alisa Wuemling, No. 05-0731 (Tex. Mar. 9, 2007)(per curiam)(guardianship dispute not moot following ward's death, replaced former guardian still had justiciable interest at stake)
Opinion on remand: In the Matter of Jewel W. Keller, an incapacitated person, No. 10-04-00118-CV (Tex.App.-Waco, Aug. 1, 2007) (Reyna)
Related link: Guardianship Certification Board (GCB) (certification process created by Texas Legislature for professional guardians; See Texas Gov't Code Chapter 111)

Norris v. Thomas, No. 05-0476 (Tex. Feb. 9, 2007)(Opinion by Willet)(boat not homestead under Texas homestead law)

In the Interest of A.M. and B.M., Minors, No. 03-0509 (Tex. May 5, 2006)(Opinion by Justice David Medina)(child support, child custody, reimbursement claim, offset after custody switch to obligor parent)

Sudan v. Sudan, No. 04-0921, 199 S.W.3d 291 (Tex. June 30, 2006)(per curiam)(no economic duress in spousal support agreement)

In re Mays-Hooper, 189 S.W.3d 777 (Tex. 2006) (grandparent access to grand child)

Kiefer v. Touris (Tex. May 26, 2006)(bill of review, paternity, nonpaternity)

In re A.M and B.M. (Tex. May 5, 2006)(custody switch and child support, off-set and reimbursement claims)

In Interest of M.C.C., a Minor, No. 04-0787 (Tex. Jan. 27, 2006)(per curiam opinion)(child support arrearage, interest)

2007 Family Law Cases from the Houston Courts of Appeals

Hutchison v. Price (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 18, 2007)(untimely appeal, DWOJ)
In Interest of A.A.M. (Tex.App.- Houston [14th Dist.] May 31, 2007)(Guzman)(family law, SAPCR, MTM, father custody)
Zavala v. Zavala (Tex.App.- Houston [14th Dist.] May 31, 2007)(Guzman)(family law, divorce, disproportionate division of property, award of 100% of equity in home, agreement by parties)
Beistel v. Robert Theodore Allen, Jr. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 31, 2007)(Bland)(family law, child support, termination of wage withholding order]
Sambrano v. DFPS (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 31, 2007)(Taft)(CPS termination(termination of parental rights, Anders brief)
Office of the Attorney General of Texas v. Joe V. Phillips Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 31, 2007)(Hanks)(void judgment, past child support)
Ezirike v. Ezirike (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 17, 2007)(Alcala)(family law, divorce, retirement plan
In re Wilson (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 26, 2007)(Hanks)(mandamus, venue, MTV, family law, children six month residency, court of continuing jurisdiction)
Whitworth v. Whitworth (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 16, 2007)(Hanks)(subst. opinion on rehearing)(family law, SAPCR, SMC, grandparents, standing to intervene)
Miles v. Peacock and AG (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 19, 2007)(Bland)(family law, restricted appeal, default judgment, retroactive child support, paternity, limitations)
Gana v. Gana (Tex.App. - Houston [14th Dist.] Apr. 24, 2007)(Fowler)(family law, divorce, property division reversed)
Dade v. Dade (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 19, 2007)(Hanks)(family law, divorce, QDRO)
Monk v. Pomberg (Tex.App. - Houston [1st. Dist.] Mar. 29, 2007)(Alcala)(subst. opinion on motion for rehearing) (family law, divorce, UDJA, SAPCA, pro se)
In re Schoelpple (Tex.App.- Houston [14th Dist.] Feb. 13, 2007)(per curiam denial)(family law, SAPCR, grandparent access, effect of nonsuit on intervention)