Commons tools for estate planning|常见财产规划工具

Guardianship in Texas is a legal process where a court appoints a guardian to make decisions for an individual who is unable to care for themselves or manage their personal or financial affairs due to a mental or physical disability. Here's a brief introduction:

• Definition: Guardianship is a legal relationship established by a court between a guardian and a ward (the person in need of assistance). The guardian is responsible for making decisions on behalf of the ward.
• Types of Guardianship: There are different types of guardianship in Texas, including:
  
  • Guardian of the Person: Responsible for the ward's personal and medical decisions.
  • Guardian of the Estate: Manages the ward's financial affairs.
  • Guardian of Both Person and Estate: Handles both personal and financial matters.
  • Limited or Full Guardianship: Depending on the level of assistance needed, guardianship can be limited to specific areas or full, covering all aspects of the ward's life.

• Process: The process involves several steps:
  
  • Filing an Application: An application for guardianship is filed with the probate court in the county where the proposed ward resides.
  • Medical Examination: A physician's certified medical examination (CME) form is required to establish the ward's incapacity.
  • Court Hearing: A hearing is held where the judge reviews evidence and testimonies to determine if guardianship is necessary.
  • Appointment of Guardian: If the judge decides that guardianship is needed, they will appoint a guardian.
• Responsibilities: The guardian is responsible for ensuring the well-being and best interests of the ward, which includes managing personal and financial affairs, making healthcare decisions, and ensuring proper living arrangements.
• Alternatives: Before filing for guardianship, other options such as money management services, supported decision-making agreements, or power of attorney should be considered.

德克萨斯州的监护是一种法律程序，法院指定监护人为因精神或身体残疾而无法照顾自己或管理个人或财务事务的个人做出决定。这里简要介绍一下：

• 定义：监护是法院在监护人和被监护人（需要帮助的人）之间建立的法律关系。监护人负责代表被监护人做出决定。

• 监护类型：德克萨斯州有不同类型的监护，包括：

1. 人身监护人：负责被监护人的个人和医疗决定。
2. 财产监护人：管理被监护人的财务事务。
3. 人身和财产监护人：处理个人和财务事务。
4. 有限或全面监护：根据所需的援助程度，监护可以仅限于特定领域或全面，涵盖被监护人生活的各个方面。

• 流程：该流程涉及几个步骤：

1. 提交申请：向拟监护人居住县的遗嘱认证法院提交监护申请。
2. 体检：需要医生认证的体检 (CME) 表格来确定被监护人是否无行为能力。
3. 法庭听证会：举行听证会，法官审查证据和证词以确定是否需要监护。
4. 监护人任命：如果法官决定需要监护，他们将任命监护人。

• 职责：监护人负责确保被监护人的福祉和最大利益，包括管理个人和财务事务、做出医疗保健决定以及确保适当的生活安排。

• 替代方案：在申请监护权之前，应考虑其他选择，例如资金管理服务、支持决策协议或授权书。

Divorce in Texas involves legally dissolving a marriage through a series of steps managed by the family court. Here’s an overview of the process:

1. Residency Requirements: Either spouse must have lived in Texas for at least six months and in the county where they are filing for at least 90 days before filing for divorce.
2. Filing a Petition: The process begins when one spouse (the petitioner) files a petition for divorce in the family court. This document outlines the grounds for divorce and the relief sought, such as child custody, support, and property division.
3. Serving the Petition: The petitioner must serve the divorce papers to the other spouse (the respondent). This can be done through a process server, sheriff, or by certified mail.
4. Responding to the Petition: The respondent has 20 days to file a response to the petition. If no response is filed, the court may grant a default judgment in favor of the petitioner.
5. Temporary Orders: Either spouse can request temporary orders for child custody, support, and use of property while the divorce is pending. These orders remain in effect until the final divorce decree is issued.
6. Discovery: Both parties exchange information and documents related to assets, debts, income, and expenses. This process helps ensure transparency and fairness in the division of property and determination of support.
7. Negotiation and Mediation: The spouses may negotiate a settlement agreement on issues such as property division, child custody, and support. If they cannot reach an agreement, they may attend mediation to resolve disputes with the help of a neutral third party.
8. Trial: If the spouses cannot reach a settlement, the case goes to trial. A judge will hear evidence and make decisions on contested issues. The judge's decisions are included in the final divorce decree.
9. Final Decree of Divorce: Once all issues are resolved, the judge signs the final decree of divorce, which legally ends the marriage and outlines the terms of the divorce, including property division, child custody, and support.

Texas allows both "no-fault" and "fault" grounds for divorce. No-fault grounds include insupportability (irreconcilable differences), while fault grounds include adultery, cruelty, abandonment, conviction of a felony, and living apart for at least three years.

Texas is a community property state, meaning that most assets and debts acquired during the marriage are considered jointly owned and are subject to division in a divorce.

Child custody and support are determined based on the best interests of the child. Texas courts consider various factors, including the child's needs, each parent's ability to care for the child, and any history of family violence.

在德克萨斯州，离婚涉及通过家庭法院管理的一系列步骤合法解除婚姻关系。以下是流程概述：

• 德克萨斯州离婚步骤：

1. 居住要求：配偶双方必须在申请离婚前至少在德克萨斯州居住六个月，并在他们申请离婚的县居住至少 90 天。
2. 提交申请：流程从一方配偶（申请人）向家庭法院提交离婚申请开始。该文件概述了离婚的理由和寻求的救济，例如子女监护权、抚养费和财产分割。
3. 送达申请：申请人必须将离婚文件送达另一方配偶（被告）。这可以通过送达员、警长或挂号信来完成。
4. 回复请愿书：被告有 20 天的时间对请愿书进行回复。如果没有提交回复，法院可能会做出有利于申请人的缺席判决。
5. 临时命令：在离婚期间，任何一方配偶都可以请求临时命令，以获得子女监护权、抚养权和财产使用权。这些命令在最终离婚判决发布之前一直有效。
6. 调查：双方交换与资产、债务、收入和支出相关的信息和文件。这一过程有助于确保财产分割和抚养权确定的透明度和公平性。
7. 谈判和调解：配偶双方可以就财产分割、子女监护权和抚养权等问题谈判达成和解协议。如果他们无法达成协议，他们可以参加调解，在第三方中立的帮助下解决纠纷。
8. 审判：如果配偶双方无法达成和解，案件将进入审判阶段。法官将听取证据并对有争议的问题作出裁决。法官的裁决包含在最终离婚判决中。
9. 最终离婚判决：一旦所有问题都得到解决，法官将签署最终离婚判决，合法结束婚姻并概述离婚条款，包括财产分割、子女监护权和抚养权。

• 离婚理由：

德克萨斯州允许“无过错”和“过错”离婚理由。无过错理由包括无法忍受（无法调和的分歧），而过错理由包括通奸、虐待、遗弃、重罪定罪和分居至少三年。

• 共同财产：

德克萨斯州是一个共同财产州，这意味着婚姻期间获得的大部分资产和债务被视为共同拥有，并在离婚时进行分割。

• 子女监护权和抚养权：

子女监护权和抚养权是根据儿童的最大利益确定的。德克萨斯州法院会考虑各种因素，包括孩子的需求、父母双方照顾孩子的能力以及任何家庭暴力史。