Every divorce has its stages and filing for a divorce in Texas is no different. You will be responsible for making decisions in each process and there will be the opportunity to seek professional help along the way.
Here are some of the stages of divorce in Texas. Please note, that every case is unique, but this will be a more general overview of proceedings.
Make Sure To Plan
Before you delve into the depths of divorce you want to make sure that this is definitely the correct decision for you. Try not to make any rash decisions as divorce can be a huge financial burden. You don’t want to hire an attorney just to change your mind a few weeks later.
Hire An Attorney
To start of your legal proceedings, it is advised that you hire a divorce attorney. There are some fantastic attorneys in Texas who can help you through your divorce. With so many counties to choose from it can be difficult to find the right attorney for you. There are some helpful Fort Bend County divorce attorneys who can offer you years of experience and have helped an impressive line of cliental throughout the years. Choose wisely, as knowledge can definitely help you understand your divorce proceedings clearer.
Filing For Divorce
With the help of your attorney, you will fill out an original divorce petition which will include some basic information about you and your partner. This will be the initial filing for a case. Depending on where you reside, your divorce will be filed in either a County Court or a District Court. Your case will then be assigned to a specific judge.
Setting Up Your Case
A temporary orders hearing will be set up to set the ground rules for your divorce. If you have a family, this phase will help you adjust to living life in separate households. If you and your partner cannot come to a settlement in mediation, then you will have to attend a court date. Be careful, this could become a financial burden for you.
Final Orders Mediation and Trial
Before the need for a trial, many divorces settle in Texas, and this can be down to a second mediation that is held to see if both sides want to make any final changes to their temporary orders. If your case is not able to settle in a mediation, then you would both go to a contested trial.
Finalising The Divorce
After you have come to a mediated settlement agreement, a final decree of your divorce can be created. This will dictate the path of your life post-divorce and hopefully you can emerge feeling like a huge weight has been lifted off your shoulders. Some of the final orders may include visitation schedules for your children and dividing up the rights and duties that each parent owes to their child. Finalising a divorce can take a great deal of time, so it is important to assure that this is what you and your ex-partner really want before taking up the legal proceedings. Look out for signs that may indicate your marriage is coming to an end.
