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.

August

Legislative Update - 6,190 bills were introduced for this legislative session. 1,480 were enacted and 51 vetoed. We tracked all 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 (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. Finally, the Christmas visitation time period has changed.

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 a 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 107 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.  You'll also see that the Christmas visitation time period has changed.  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 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 as appropriate for your case.

Aren't you glad you've delegated to us the task of tracking the legislation and updating all of these forms for you?

Thanks for being a ProDoc subscriber!

Do you find yourself making the same edits to the final draft of specific ProDoc generated-documents time after time?

If yes, ProDoc contains a great feature that will save you lots of time in the future. You can easily add to or modify language in a ProDoc master form to personalize the form to your firm. You can also change the formatting of the form. The advantage of doing this by modifying the master form is that you ensure that all future documents produced from the form will include the changes. While this is an advanced feature, it’s still simple to do—no programming expertise required.

View a step-by-step guide on modifying master forms >>

Ervin Gonzalez is Board Certified in Civil and Business Litigation. He has 21 verdicts in excess of $1 Million and has tried hundreds of cases over the last 20 years. Gonzalez is licensed to practice law in Florida, Texas, Colorado, New York, and The District of Columbia. This site is dedicated to legal topics that are of interest to lawyers and the general public.

Visit the Ervin Gonzalez Trial Tips Blog >>

If you're a mobile lawyer and you use a Treo, here are some great programs you'll want to check out:

• Splash ID - This program is the answer to the challenge today of remembering user names and passwords, credit card numbers, PINs, registration numbers, etc.
• Documents on the Go - Documents To Go enables you to view, edit and create Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF and TXT files as well as native JPEG and BMP graphics.
• SplashPhoto - Finally, an easy way to carry and show off photos of your children, grandchildren, favorite pet, bowling trophy, etc.

To be continued next month. If you have some favorite Treo software programs you want to let others know about, your information to Tom Schoolcraft.

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