Mediation & Legal Tech Newsletter - September 2023

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BIG TECH SUPERCHARGING AI FAKE PORN

Google and Microsoft are creating AI generated porn to fool the world. How do you think that bodes for the authenticity of evidence?!? This is terrifying, but will have real implications for the authenticity of evidence.

2023 DEADLINES CHANGES

Courtesy of TxDocs. Helping Texas attorneys practice smarter!

• Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Misc. Docket No. 23-9052): 

1. 190.2(b)(1)(A) modified with exception for Family suits
2. 190.2(b)(1)(B) new deadline for Family discovery
3. 190.3(b)(1)(A) modified with exception for Family suits
4. 190.3(b)(1)(B) new deadline for Family discovery
5. 194a.1 new deadline for Family requests for disclosure
6. 194a.3 new deadline for Family response to requests for disclosure
7. 194a.3(a) new deadline for Family response to requests for disclosure for defendant served before answer due
8. 195a.2 new deadline for designation of testifying experts in Family suits, for a party seeking affirmative relief
9. 195a.2(b)(2) new deadline for designation of testifying experts in Family suits, for a party not seeking affirmative relief
10. 196.2 modified with updated language and new calculation for Family Code exception
11. 196.7(c) modified with updated language and new calculation for Family Code exception
12. 197.2 modified with updated language and new calculation for Family Code exception
13. 198.2 modified with updated language and new calculation for Family Code exception

• Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Misc. Docket No. 23-9053): 

1. 297 modified with updated language, non-substantive change
2. 298 modified with updated language, non-substantive change

• Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code (HB 2024): 

1. 16.009(a) modified with updated language
2. 16.009(a-2) new statute of limitations for exception for repair or construction under contractor’s warranty

CAL.COM SCHEDULER!

This is absolutely the best scheduler for your business and it is free! Check out the story behind Cal.com, sign up for Cal.com here, and see Tom's new booking page as an example! This is my biggest tech discovery in 3+ years. Works for individuals or huge law firms.

EMBARRASING REAL TEXAS LAWYERS

Texas criminal defense lawyer just couldn't beat the rap! But, sadly, he is real ...

25 HOURS FREE CLE!

The Toolkit.law Free Legal Technology CLE Webinar launched last month! It includes 25 hours of CLE with 3 hours of ethics. Visit the "Webinars" section of Toolkit.law. You will need the free 6-month Trial Edition and you must self-report the CLE.

2023 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE HIGHLIGHTS

Courtesy of TxDocs. Try out their free trial!

• Family Law: 

1. HB 2850: New Title 6 for discovery in Family Law, in conjunction with Supreme Court of Texas Misc. Docket No. 23-9052 changes to TRCP
2. SB 869: E-mail address is included in the Required Information of the Parties
3. SB 870: Option for Employment Services Related Order for unemployed or underemployed obligors under new 154.017 TFC
4. HB 1457: Bases for reimbursement claims and offsets
5. HB 2715: Prohibitions against tracking a party
6. HB 4062: Requirement for audiovisual recording by child custody evaluator
7. HB 1432: Removed requirement for finding that family violence is likely to occur in the future
8. HB 2658: New ground for termination of parental rights for conviction of criminal solicitation of a minor or online solicitation
9. SB 578: Option to protect county of residence in protective orders

• Guardianship: 

1. SB 1624: Psychologist can provide letter or certification of mental exam
2. HB 266: New required affidavit for contact information 
3. SB 1650: Powers of attorney for a ward may be suspended
4. SB 1457: Added options for qualified delivery methods, increase in maximum net value of minor’s interest in sale of property
5. SB 1624: Modified Bill of Rights for the Ward

• Probate:

1. SB 1373: Allows for a person with felony conviction to serve as executor, added options for qualified delivery method of notices, required language for declarations of executor and administrator 
2. SB 1457: Increase in maximum net value of minor’s interest in sale of property 

• Real Estate: 

1. HB 207: New affidavit confirming land is not homestead so a lender can rely on it to make a loan

• Wills: 

1. HB 54: Increase of personal needs allowance for Medicaid recipients who are residents of long-term facilities

• Business Organizations: 

1. SB 1514: Changes to Agreements and Bylaws

• Criminal Defense: 

1. SB 1516: Applications for writ of habeas corpus- new required sworn statement per 11.14(b) Code of Criminal Procedure and changes in language 

FREE LEGAL HELPSHEETS

The above free CLE includes a number of helpsheets. Here are some freebies!

• Attorney Legal Technology Helpsheet
• Audio & Video Recordings Helpsheet
• Child Custody Evidence Helpsheet
• Legal Marketing Helpsheet
• Online Dating Websites & Apps Helpsheet
• Parental Communications Apps Helpsheet
• Sobriety Monitoring Helpsheet

HARRIS COUNTY FAMILY LAW CONTACT HELPSHEET

Download the latest version of Mediator Tom King's famous "Harris County Family Law Courts and Contacts Helpsheet"! Click here. Big thanks to Harris County DRO Executive Director David Simpson for the updates!

TEXASFAMILYCOURTS.COM

Mediator Tom King is launching the new TexasFamilyCourts.com for you to bookmark and access info for all 254 Texas counties. Click here for learn how to bookmark.

MEDIATION SCHEDULING

Tom resolves 93% of mediations on final orders in half-day mediations at 9 am, 1 pm, and 6 pm CT for $400/party. He also offers 30-minute Drive-By mediations at 8 am and 5 pm CT at $150/party. Cancellations less than 14-days prior are rescheduled, not reimbursed. Payment due day of scheduling. See availability or book now!

2023 NEW FORMS

Txdocs is the preferred document management tool of Tom King for both the practice of law and mediations ...

• Business Organizations: 

1. 7.14 LLC Client Instruction Letter
2. 9.08 Limited Partnership Client Instruction Letter
3. 17.01 Unsecured Note

• Family Law: 

1. 6.03 Reimbursement Claims
2. 12.32 Children’s Bill of Rights
3. 18.35 Waiver of Right to Appear in Person 
4. 19.03 Answer to Application for Protective Order
5. 42.11 Waiver of Service for Void Marriage

• Guardianship: 

1. 1.05 Psychologist’s Certificate of Mental Exam
2. 2.02 Affidavit – Contact Info- Persons Entitled to Notice
3. 7.20 Application to Mortgage Ward’s Interest
4. 13.16 Application to Sell Ward’s Interest in Property – Foreign Guardianship
5. 14.02 Declaration of Appointment of Successor Guardian – Parent
6. 15.08 Bill of Rights for the Ward
7. Local Form - Fort Bend County Report on the Condition of the Ward

• Real Estate: 

1. 5.14 Affidavit Regarding Conveyance to an Entity

• Wills: 

1. 4.12 Spouse’s HIPAA Release and Authorization (separate PDF for estate planning for couples)

POT SOBRIETY TEST

MEDIATION MEMORANDUMS & FORMS

• See our Mediation Memo Drafting Helpsheet
• See our Mediation Memo Template
• See our Mediation Memo Drafting Presentation
• See our Agreed Order of Referral to Mediate form

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