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Legal Briefs“ Like A Good Neighbor, State Farm Is There”Serving Helotes and surrounding areas since 2001State Farm Insurance Kellie MooreMon. - Fri. 9am - 6pm • Open Sat. 9am - 1 pm • After hours by appointmentStop by for a Free quote and receive a FREE GIFT!10744 Braun Rd. San Antonio, TX 78254 (210) 688-7707 www.kelliemoore.netWhen Do You Need a Co-Habitation Agreement?IBy Kathleen Cassidy Goodman, PLLCt is not unusual for individuals to be hesitant to enter into a marriage following a divorce. Frequently,divorced individuals choose to avoid the commitment of marriage but still want companionship and may choose to live together. While these individuals may have an informal agreement regarding their living arrangement, Texas Law may not be consistent with the individuals’ agreement and result in unanticipated problems. An informal, oral, co-habitation agreement may have unexpected consequences for -- not just the two individuals – but their families as well.Of specific concern is the situation where the couple chooses to reside in the home that one of the individuals received in their divorce settlement. At the time they move in together, the intention of the homeowner is that his home will be distributed to his children when he passes away. But, if upon the death of the homeowner, the Court believes there was a common law marriage, then the children will have to wait until their parent’s common law spouse no longer chooses to reside in the home or he or she passes away, before they are able to take possession of their parent’s home.Texas law provides that a common law marriage may be proved by evidence that the couple agreed to be married, agreed to live together as husband and wife, and represented to the public they are married. It is not uncommon that after a few years of living together, the individuals may begin to refer to each other as “my wife” or “my husband.” Then, after the individual who owns the home passes away, the other individual may consider themselves thecommon law spouse. Even if the individual who owns the home has prepared a Will, directing that upon his or her death the home is to be distributed to his or her children – his or her wishes may not come to fruition!This can all be avoided if the couple enters into a Co-habitation Agreement. A Co-habitation Agreement is an agreement existing between two parties and is similar to a prenuptial agreement. A cohabitation agreement typically provides detailed information regarding property, assets, income, and debts in the event the relationship ends or one of the parties passes away.Kathleen Cassidy Goodman is an attorney in areas of estate planning, probate, civil litigation, and business law. She can be reached at her office in Helotes at (210) 949-1000 or for more information, visit www.bexarlaw.comFCelebrate Father’s Day In Unique Waysather’s Day is a celebration of dads near and far. Falling on the third Sunday of June each year, Father’sDay presents an opportunity for families to come together and put the spotlight on fathers who work tirelessly for their children and provide them with love and support. Father’s Day also is a chance to honor the men who serve as father figures or play special roles in people’s lives.It’s easy for families to fall into a routine when it comes to celebrating Father’s Day. Certainly, dinner and gift-giving is traditional, but there are additional ways to provide Dad with the day he deserves. Explore these creative options.Set up a scavenger huntDrag out the suspense of Dad getting his Father’s Day gift by hiding it and requiring him to go through a series of clues to find it. When writing up the clue cards, spouses and children can reference particularly happy moments or things around the house that are representative of Dad’s love. For example, a clue may read, “Here’s where we like to snuggle together to watch our favorite show.”Take it outdoorsJune weather tends to be pleasant, and that means Father’s Day celebrations can be held outside. Everyone can select a spot that Dad loves to visit, whether it’s a hiking trail or a local park, and then plan activities around the chosen location.Go on an adventureFather’s Day can be spent engagingin something the family has never tried before that may be exciting for Dad. Maybe he’s always wanted to go off-roading on quads or try his skills at hatchet-throwing? The family can get together and choose an activity Dad will find engaging and that everyone can enjoy.Make it a beach dayDad might just want a break from the hectic pace of life on Father’s Day. This is the perfect opportunity to head oceanside. For those who don’t live by the coast, a river or lakefront spot can be an ideal alternative. Frequently these are touristy areas, so it could be relatively easy to find an eatery where everyone can make a reservation for lunch or dinner after enjoying a relaxing day with waves lapping the shore.These are just a few clever ways to celebrate Father’s Day. Families can choose activities that honor fathers and ensure he is feeling all the love.The Sweet Truth About Fruit & Sugarfor Americans, with experts saying adults should aim for 1.5 to two cups of fruit per day, or about two servings. That’s because not all sugar is created equal. Fruit contains naturally occurring sugar (fructose) rather than the added sugar that is in many foods, baked goods and candy. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the body processes natural sugars differently than it would sugar in cookies and cakes. Healthline indicates that fructose is only harmful in large amounts, and it is difficult to get excessive amounts of fructose from fruit. That means for most people, the amount of sugar in fruit is safe to eat.Fruits tend to be loaded with fiber and water, which can help a person feel fuller, longer. And the high fiber content means fruits will take a while to digest andBFresh fruit is a delicious treat that can be enjoyed any time of year, but consumption seems to heatup as the mercury rises. Many fruits come into season in spring and summer. Cherries, melons, plums, nectarines, and blueberries are just some of the tasty fruits that are typically enjoyed during warm months. But for those who are trying to eat healthy, they may wonder if fruit - which tends to be high in sugar - aligns with their diet and exercise plans.People long have been advised to monitor their sugar consumption. Harvard Health reports that the effects of too much sugar intake can result in elevated blood pressure, inflammation, weight gain, diabetes, and fatty liver disease. Yet fruits are listed on the USDA’s Dietary Guidelinesy Staffthe fructose will be processed by the liver slowly, which should not cause a sugar spike like added sugar would.That isn’t to say that all forms of fruit are the same. Eating whole fruit is the best type because of the fiber and the protective nutrients, including antioxidants. Fruit juice is a more concentrated source of fructose that doesn’t have the fiber to moderate sugar absorption. Excessive fruit juice intake can cause fat deposition in the liver, obesity, and insulin resistance since juice is stripped of the fiber and often nutrients during processing.Those who want to avoid the fruits with the highest sugar concentration shouldskip mangoes and apples, which have 46 and 25.1 grams of sugar in one piece of fruit, respectively. However, unless a person has diabetes or another health condition where blood sugar levels need to be monitored, individuals shouldn’t fret about the fruit in sugar, as most don’t eat enough for the sugar to be a concern.June 2025www.heloteshighlights.com11