FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Widow Braves Hostile Court Proceedings
Houston, Texas – July 23, 2010 – Jeers and public threats greeted Mrs. Nikki Araguz outside the Warton County Courthouse today. The Widow of Wharton County firefighter Captain Thomas Araguz, who was killed in the line of duty, was in court for the first hearing in a suit brought by Araguz’s mother, Simona Rodriguez Longoria. The suit claims that Longoria should inherit Capt. Araguz’s widow’s benefits and all marital assets.
Longoria claims that since Mrs. Araguz was legally a male before transitioning to female, and legally changed her gender prior to her subsequent marriage to Capt. Araguz that Longoria, not Mrs. Araguz, should receive all benefits and joint property. This includes any income earned by Mrs. Araguz during the marriage. Mrs. Araguz was the principle wage earner of the couple.
Capt. Araguz’s two children from a previous marriage will receive one half of Capt. Araguz’s $600,000 firemen’s fallen hero benefit regardless of the outcome of this case. They are also entitled to free tuition at Texas State Schools, as will be their children.
Longoria today expanded her claims to the property of Mrs. Araguz, asking the court to seize funds paid by a life insurance policy to which Mrs. Araguz was the named beneficiary. Judge Clapp granted her request, adding those funds to the widow’s benefits and all marital assets currently being held in escrow.
In a victory for Mrs. Araguz, the Judge also prevented Longoria from spending any of those funds or disposing of Capt. and Mrs. Araguz’s marital assets.
Longoria said in court today that her goal was to “freeze Nikki out.” All of Mrs. Araguz’s assets are currently frozen and unavailable to her.
If you would like to help support Nikki in her hour of desperate need, donate to the TG Center Nikki Araguz Fund. The TG Center Nikki Araguz Fund not only support Nikki’s ongoing legal battle, it also provides for her day-to-day needs. Donations can be made online at www.tiny.cc/nikkisfund. Additionally, donations may be sent to the Transgender Center at:
Transgender Foundation of America
604 Pacific
Houston, TX 77006
Make checks payable to Transgender Foundation of America. Please make sure to note that the donation is for the TG Center Nikki Araguz Fund.
Nikki’s FaceBook: www.tiny.cc/fb4nikki
Nikki’s Email: Nikki.Araguz@tgctr.org
TFA is a 501c3 nonprofit that runs the Houston Transgender Center, Archive and Library. In addition to social services, the Transgender Center offers an array of support group meetings, lectures and events designed to improve the quality of life for transgender people.
CONTACT
Lou Weaver
713-520-8586
lou@tgctr.org
Transgender Center
604 Pacific
Houston, Texas 77006
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[...] Edit: Apparently, all of Nikki’s assets have been completely frozen and she’s living off charity. If you want to donate to help with her legal fees (because this case could, if appealed far enough, change precedent in Texas), you can find the information here. Thanks to Drakyn for the link, and Charlie Butler for this link that also has more explanation. [...]
[...] http://www.tgctr.org/2010/07/24/nikki_araguz/?awesm=fbshare.me_AQ6Lv [...]
[...] benefits and inheritance. For those who are unfamiliar with the situation, I refer you to the Houston Transgender Center statement on the matter. I won’t rehash all the details, but want to make some [...]
[...] Widow Braves Hostile Court Proceedings – An article about Nikki Araguz, who is facing a legal battle over her recently deceased husband’s property and their joint benefits, including any and all income she made during their marriage. Her mother-in-law is attacking her for being trans. The world makes me sad. Even if you can’t donate anything to help Mrs. Araguz, definitely spread the link to others. [...]