diff --git a/src/specklepy/objects/base.py b/src/specklepy/objects/base.py
index 4fb9588..c4e6dca 100644
--- a/src/specklepy/objects/base.py
+++ b/src/specklepy/objects/base.py
@@ -13,11 +13,13 @@ from typing import (
     Tuple,
     Type,
     Union,
+    get_origin,
     get_type_hints,
 )
 from warnings import warn
 
 from pydantic.alias_generators import to_pascal
+from typing_extensions import get_args
 
 from specklepy.logging.exceptions import SpeckleException
 from specklepy.transports.memory import MemoryTransport
@@ -224,28 +226,27 @@ def _validate_type(t: Optional[type], value: Any) -> Tuple[bool, Any]:
         if isinstance(t, ForwardRef):
             return True, value
 
-        origin = t.__origin__
+        origin = get_origin(t)
+        args = get_args(t)
+
         # below is what in nicer for >= py38
         # origin = get_origin(t)
 
         # recursive validation for Unions on both types preferring the fist type
-        if origin is Union:
-            # below is what in nicer for >= py38
-            # t_1, t_2 = get_args(t)
-            args = t.__args__  # type: ignore
-            for arg_t in args:
-                t_success, t_value = _validate_type(arg_t, value)
-                if t_success:
-                    return True, t_value
-            return False, value
+        # if origin is Union or isinstance(t, UnionType):
+        #     for arg_t in args:
+        #         ok, v = _validate_type(arg_t, value)
+        #         if ok:
+        #             return True, v
+        #     return False, value
         if origin is dict:
             if not isinstance(value, dict):
                 return False, value
-            if value == {}:
+            if not value:
                 return True, value
-            if not getattr(t, "__args__", None):
+            if not args:
                 return True, value
-            t_key, t_value = t.__args__  # type: ignore
+            t_key, t_value = args
 
             if (
                 getattr(t_key, "__name__", None),
@@ -265,11 +266,11 @@ def _validate_type(t: Optional[type], value: Any) -> Tuple[bool, Any]:
         if origin is list:
             if not isinstance(value, list):
                 return False, value
-            if value == []:
+            if not value:
                 return True, value
-            if not hasattr(t, "__args__"):
+            if not args:
                 return True, value
-            t_items = t.__args__[0]  # type: ignore
+            t_items = args[0]
             if getattr(t_items, "__name__", None) == "T":
                 return True, value
             first_item_valid, _ = _validate_type(t_items, value[0])
@@ -280,10 +281,10 @@ def _validate_type(t: Optional[type], value: Any) -> Tuple[bool, Any]:
         if origin is tuple:
             if not isinstance(value, tuple):
                 return False, value
-            if not hasattr(t, "__args__"):
+            if not args:
                 return True, value
             args = t.__args__  # type: ignore
-            if args == tuple():
+            if not args:
                 return True, value
             # we're not checking for empty tuple, cause tuple lengths must match
             if len(args) != len(value):
@@ -299,7 +300,7 @@ def _validate_type(t: Optional[type], value: Any) -> Tuple[bool, Any]:
         if origin is set:
             if not isinstance(value, set):
                 return False, value
-            if not hasattr(t, "__args__"):
+            if not args:
                 return True, value
             t_items = t.__args__[0]  # type: ignore
             first_item_valid, _ = _validate_type(t_items, next(iter(value)))
diff --git a/tests/objects/test_text.py b/tests/objects/test_text.py
index 0233395..8474cd4 100644
--- a/tests/objects/test_text.py
+++ b/tests/objects/test_text.py
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ def sample_text_all_properties(sample_point: Point, sample_plane: Plane) -> Text
         alignmentH=AlignmentHorizontal.Center,
         alignmentV=AlignmentVertical.Center,
         plane=sample_plane,
-        maxWidth=20,
+        maxWidth=20.0,
         units=Units.m,
     )
 
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ def test_text_creation_minimal(sample_point: Point):
 
 def test_text_creation_extended(sample_point: Point, sample_plane: Plane):
     text_value = "text"
-    max_width = 20
+    max_width = 20.0
 
     text_obj = Text(
         value=text_value,