WHARTON, Texas --
The transsexual widow of a Wharton firefighter killed in the line of duty may soon learn if she will receive his death benefits.
Thomas & Nikki Araguz
Thomas Araguz, a firefighter with the Wharton County Volunteer Fire Department, died fighting a fire at Maxim Egg Farm in Boling, Texas, in July 2010.
Araguz's family and ex-wife sued his widow, Nikki, in an effort to prevent her from receiving about $600,000 worth of death benefits. They argued the marriage was not valid because Nikki Araguz was born a man.
Nikki Araguz confirmed she's "a post-op transsexual" and is HIV-positive. She had sexual reassignment surgery in 2008.
Her defense team filed motions Friday, including one that claimed that the legal jargon in the family's lawsuit was incorrect.
"I'm absolutely hoping to win this," Araguz said. "I believe strongly in my legal team, and I know that what we are doing is right. I believe that the law is going to be on my side."
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