pjc-family-2024-lib

Introduction

names like Paul Payne and Don Davis have given way to designations like CHILD , NONPARENT , PARTY B , TRUSTEE , and DECEDENT . Such a designation, printed in all uppercase italic letters, should always be replaced by the appropriate person’s name. This use of terms in uppercase italic letters must be distinguished from the use of terms in lowercase italic letters: the latter use indicates a term that may be replaced, if appropri ate, by another term rather than by a person’s name (e.g., the word child may be replaced by the word children ). 5. C OMMENTS AND C ITATIONS OF A UTHORITY The comments to each PJC provide a ready reference to the law that serves as a foun dation for the charge. Of course, this volume is not a legal treatise, so further research will invariably be required to develop any legal issue fully. The primary authorities cited in this volume are the Texas Family Code, the Texas Estates Code, the Texas Property Code, the Texas Health and Safety Code, and Texas case law. Some comments also include variations of the recommended forms and references to additional instructions and questions. 6. U SING THE P ATTERN C HARGES Matters on which the evidence is undisputed should not be submitted by either instruction or question. Conversely, questions, instructions, and definitions not included in this volume may sometimes become necessary. Finally, preparation of a proper charge requires careful legal analysis and sound judgment by those directly involved in the case in determining which pattern charges to adopt in toto , which to amend, and which to dis card. 7. C LAIMS N OT C OVERED IN T HIS V OLUME Other volumes in the Texas Pattern Jury Charges series may be helpful in drafting charges covering tort issues that occasionally arise in cases covered by this volume. For ease of reference, the tables of contents of the other volumes in the series are reproduced as the appendix to this volume. 8. I NSTALLING THE D IGITAL D OWNLOAD The downloadable version of Texas Pattern Jury Charges—Family & Probate (2024 edition) contains the entire text of the printed book. To install the digital download— 1. go to https://manage.texasbarpractice.com ; 2. if prompted to log in, do so; and 3. in the “Downloadables” column, click the download button for this book’s title. Use of the digital download is subject to the terms of the license and limited war ranty included in the documentation at the end of this book and on the digital

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