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San Antonio Trial Law Firm Protecting Your Rights In and Out of Court
No matter what kind of legal matter you’re involved in, having a legal professional on your side is the best way to get the outcome you deserve. From facing criminal charges in court to negotiating divorce terms, our law firm can help you navigate the legal system and advocate for yourself. Plus, we can help you create an estate plan that protects your assets and meets your future needs.
The Hicks Law Firm is an experienced trial law firm that knows how to advocate for you in court. Attorney John T. Hicks has spent years of his life in service to others, and he will stop at nothing when fighting for your rights. Our law firm is dedicated to supporting you and your family in any way you need. To learn more about our services and receive a free 20-minute initial consultation, call (210) 985 8330 today.
Why is Criminal Defense So Important?
Criminal defense law is just one legal area that our firm can help you with. When you are facing charges in court, it can feel like the whole world is against you. Law enforcement officers and prosecutors only want to build a case against you, and your friends and family may not have the time or resources to help you.
When you work with a criminal defense law firm like ours, you can rest assured that there is a legal professional with your best interests at heart fighting for your rights. Criminal defense law is the only thing standing between you and the criminal penalties you are facing. We are committed to building a unique legal defense strategy to reduce or even remove your charges so you can continue your life with as few disruptions as possible.
How Can a Family Lawyer Help?
Family law matters are inherently complex and emotionally charged. Divorce, child custody cases, adoption, and any other legal issue that involves your family comes with many challenges that can be further complicated by your shared history. A family lawyer steps in and helps take an objective approach to fight for the outcome you deserve.
When you’re involved in a family law matter, our firm will handle legal paperwork and documentation. We will talk to you about your goals and the ideal outcome for your case. We always aim to make the process as smooth for you as possible, so you can focus on yourself while still advocating for your rights and protecting yourself as a person. Call us today to learn more about our family law services and what we can do for you.
ATTORNEY/OWNER
As a Marine veteran and firefighter/paramedic, John has spent his life in service to others. Now he uses this sense of service to help men and women and children navigate through some of the roughest waters of their lives; whether that is through defense in a criminal court, or advocating in a civil dispute arising from a family law matter. John is here is to fight for you and your family.
- Family Law
- Marriage Law
- Child Support
- Possession and Access
- Criminal Defense Litigation
- St. Mary’s University School of Law, San Antonio, Texas
- J.D. – 2010
- St. Mary’s University
- M.A. – 2010
- Major: International Relations
- University of Texas at San Antonio
- B.S. – 2007
- Major: Biology
- Texas, 2010
- International Law Committee, American Bar Association.
- Standing Committee on Law and National Security, American Bar Association.
- Texas Bar Association
- San Antonio Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association
What Does an Estate Planning Lawyer Do?
Creating an estate plan is an essential way to protect your assets now and in the future. By working with an estate planning attorney, you can name beneficiaries, set money aside for your long-term care, create documents noting your medical wishes, and more.
There is a common misconception that only the rich and famous need to worry about estate planning; however, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Passing away without an estate plan in place could leave your family scrambling to figure out what your final wishes might have been. In most cases, the state will step in and distribute your assets as it sees fit, which can leave your family members feeling snubbed.
Your estate plan is unique to you. When you talk to our estate planning attorney, we will go over your retirement plans, your beneficiaries, and your goals for the future. We will then create legal documents to preserve your assets and protect your final wishes.
What Makes The Hicks Law Firm Stand Out?
Legal issues are rarely straightforward matters. At The Hicks Law Firm, we pride ourselves on finding creative salutations to meet your legal needs. Relating to clients is the best way to fight for their best interests, and our attorney will always put himself in your shoes to pursue the outcome you deserve.
At our firm, we know that settling matters outside of court is often the cheapest and least time-consuming method. Attorney John Hicks has a certificate in mediation and years of experience helping clients with negotiations. With a history of being a Marine and working in Emergency Medical Services (EMS), John Hicks is prepared to handle any stressful situation involving criminal defense, estate planning, and family law. If you want to avoid a trial and resolve your legal matter quickly, our law firm can help you do so.
Is The Hicks Law Firm Right for You?
At The Hicks Law Firm, our attorney has over ten years of experience serving clients around the state of Texas. Before diving into your legal matter, we will take the time to get to know more about you and your family, plus what your goals are for your case. By providing a personalized legal strategy, we can ensure that you get the outcome you are looking for without wasting your hard-earned money and time.
The Hicks Law Firm is located 10 minutes away from Phil Hardberger Park and 9 minutes away from Voigt Park. We are also only a 20-minute drive from the San Antonio International Airport (SAT). If you’d like more information about our services, please call us today at (210) 985 8330.
Asked
Questions
What is the Process After Charges Are Filed in Court?
If you are arrested or charged with a crime, you will likely need to appear for an arraignment. During your arraignment hearing, your charges will be publicly announced, and you can enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. If you enter a not-guilty plea, a judge will decide if you can pay bail and be released. After an arraignment hearing, your pretrial hearing will be scheduled. You can bring legal representation to your arraignment hearing and all subsequent hearings in court.
Is There a Difference Between a Misdemeanor and a Felony?
When you are charged with a crime, your charge will be labeled as a misdemeanor or a felony. Generally, a misdemeanor charge is a lesser charge that carries fewer penalties. A conviction for a misdemeanor may include fines, probation, and a short jail sentence. Felony charges are generally more serious and have more significant penalties. A conviction for a felony offense will likely include fines and more than one year in prison. Both types of criminal charges stay on your permanent record, though felonies can impact your ability to get a job and secure housing in the future.
Do I Need an Attorney for a Divorce?
Going through a divorce is one of the most stressful and challenging times of a person’s life. Even if you and your spouse generally agree on all the terms of the divorce, it is still a good idea to seek legal counsel. Determining how to split up assets, child custody, and spousal support payments can be difficult, and you need someone on your side to advocate for your rights. Without an attorney, you could end up agreeing to a divorce settlement that does not meet your needs.
How is Child Support Determined?
If you are going through a divorce or you and your co-parent are not married and not living together, you will likely need to determine child support. All states have different models for child support guidelines, and most of them rely on each parent’s income. Usually, the parent who does not have the child for the majority of the time will pay child support payments. If both parents split custody evenly, then the higher earner will likely pay child support. Child support can be reduced based on the amount of time the payer spends with their child.
What is Joint Custody?
Having joint legal custody means that both parents share all major decisions that affect their child. These decisions can include education, medical treatments, religious training, and more. Joint physical custody is the time each parent spends with their child. Joint physical custody is flexible and can be split 50/50 or unequally. If both parents want to divide time equally, a judge may require that the parents live near each other. Joint custody is not the only option in a child custody agreement – if only one parent wants custody over the child, they can request sole custody.
What is My Estate?
Your estate is any and all assets you own at the time of your death. Assets include property, real estate, investments, bank accounts, retirement accounts, and more. When you pass away, your estate will be shared between your beneficiaries or your heirs. You can control how your estate is distributed by making an estate plan. An estate planning attorney can help you create legal documents that meet your needs and your future goals.
What Happens if I Die Without Writing a Will?
Anyone who dies without a will has their estate distributed according to state intestacy laws. Dying “intestate,” or dying without a will, means that the state can decide what happens to your assets. In most cases, your assets will be distributed to your closest family members, including your surviving spouse and any children you have. If you do not have a surviving spouse or children, your estate will go to your next closest relatives. If the state cannot find your relatives, it will take your assets.
Should I Avoid Probate?
As you create an estate plan, you may create it with the goal of avoiding probate. Probate is the court-overseen legal process that determines whether a will is legally valid. The probate process can take a long time to complete, and it also enters your assets into the public record. Avoiding probate can save your family members time and money when it comes to asset distribution. If you’d like to avoid probate, our attorney can speak with you about different estate planning options to use, like a trust.
