Listed below are the major enhancements now planned for this summer. However, in addition to what we've planned, we'll undoubtedly add a number of minor changes in various volumes and other enhancements suggested by our users... like you.
Legislative Update - 6,190 bills were introduced for this legislative session. 1,480 were enacted and 51 vetoed. We tracked more than 1,500 of the enrolled bills that could possibly affect ProDoc forms. We're now updating approximately 346 existing ProDoc forms as a result of the legislative changes.
The volumes
affected are (and the approximate number of forms updated in the volumes are:
Adoptions - We'll update approximately 21 forms based on HB8, HB391, HB448, HB555, HB772, HB1864, HB1995, HB2061, HB3593, HB3997, SB228, SB303, SB430, SB432, SB617, and SB669. This includes adding the new option of
terminating parental rights based upon 21.02 under Texas Family Code (sex crimes against children). We're making changes in social studies for termination and adoption. For paternity suits, you'll see major updates to parenting plans, parenting coordinators and Settlement of Future Disputes.
New options for Christmas and weekend visitation will be available for suits filed on or after September 1, 2007.
Business Organizations - We'll update approximately 44 forms based on HB1737 and HB2278.This is the first major post-Business Organization Code legislation. These changes correct numerous internal inconsistencies
that the legislature created with the adoption of the Business Organization Code.
Criminal Defense - We'll update approximately 6 forms based on HB8, HB1303, HB3295, SB867, and SB1470. We're modifying competency forms to include outpatient treatment, updating expunction and non-disclosure forms and adding
new offense to sex offender language.
Criminal Prosecution - We'll update approximately 6 forms based on HB8, HB 1178, HB3295, SB 867, and SB1470. We're modifying competency forms to include outpatient treatment and adding a new offense to sex offender language.
Family Law - We'll update approximately 113 forms based on HB8, HB391, HB448, HB555, HB772, HB1865, HB2501, HB2061, HB3593, SB228, SB303, SB432, and SB699. This will contain major updates to the parenting plans, parenting
coordinators and Settlement of Future Disputes. New options for Christmas and weekend visitation will be available for suits filed on or after September 1, 2007. Changes are also being made to possession during military deployment. Child support provisions will change in that child support may
terminate if a child enters the military and that child support payments may be accelerated upon the death of the obligor. Finally, we're also making changes regarding required social studies and who can bring an annulment of a marriage of a minor.
As an example of the Family Law action in the legislature, there were 928 changes proposed just to the Family Code resulting in 375 enacted and approved by the Governor.
Foreclosures - We'll update approximately 15 forms based on HB2061 and SB699. We're updating the forms to comply with a requirement that a successful foreclosure bidder pay immediately, and to include the first 3 digits of
the pleading party's driver’s license and social security number in initial pleadings.
Guardianship - We'll update approximately 19 forms based on HB417 and SB699. We're updating these forms to include new requirements for determining mental incapacity, and restoring partial or total capacity, and for court approval
of sale of real property and investment plan without a hearing.
Landlord/Tenant - We'll update approximately 18 forms based on HB177, HB3101, SB699, and SB1483. Pursuant to statutory changes, we're updating the apartment and residential leases to (a) augment tenant’s rights, (b)
specify landlord’s obligations in case of exclusion (change of locks), and (c) list the statutory rights and remedies afforded to landlord and tenants under the Texas Property Code. The citation for eviction will include Spanish language text.
Litigation - We'll update approximately 39 forms based on HB1737, HB2061, SB300, and SB699. We're adding required identification information to all initial filings of the last digits of the social security number and
driver’s license number of the party filing the document, and changing the duration of a judgment lien filed on behalf of the state.
Probate - We'll update approximately 45 forms based on HB1709, HB1710, HB2061, SB300, and SB699. The forms are being updated for repeal of community administration, removal of references to nuncupative wills and the new
filing deadline for disclaimer by charitable organization or government agency.
Real Estate - We'll update approximately 19 forms based on HB2278, HB2738, HB3147, HB3167, HB3518, and SB699. We're modifying the residential lease to reflect the landlord’s new obligations to provide a source of
hot water. And, we're changing foreclosure related forms to include the new requirement for immediate payment of a successful bid.
Family Law PowerPack - We're updating the PowerPack based on HB448, HB1864, SB228, and SB303. The Child Support Delinquency Calculator will calculate the new top monthly income amount of $7,500 for suits filed on, or after,
September 1, 2007. Additionally, the Child Possession Calendar program will include the new Christmas and weekend visitation provisions for suits filed on, or after, September 1, 2007.
Aren't you glad you've delegated to us the task of tracking the legislation and updating all of these forms for you?
