Divorce Lawyers Spring, TX

When you recited your wedding vows, you planned for marriage to be a lifelong commitment. However, marriages can face various challenges that may ultimately lead to separation and divorce. During this difficult time, having an experienced divorce attorney by your side can help ease the emotional burden, simplify the process, and secure the results you seek rather than trying to navigate the legal system alone. Hiring knowledgeable divorce lawyers who handle cases in Spring, TX, can help protect your rights and advocates on your behalf.
Divorce is a stressful and emotional journey for all parties, particularly when minor children are involved. Our board-certified divorce attorneys handle cases in Spring, TX, and the surrounding areas, and will guide you through the process and work toward a favorable settlement. Contact The Stout Law Firm, PLLC, to schedule a consultation and find support and guidance as you move forward.
Divorce brings financial, emotional, and legal complexities that require compassionate, knowledgeable guidance. At The Stout Law Firm, PLLC, we concentrate exclusively on family law matters and remain committed to supporting our clients throughout this challenging journey. We prioritize protecting the best interest of your children and your financial interests while achieving a solution that safeguards your future.
Residency Requirements for a Texas Divorce
Before filing for divorce, you should understand the residency requirements to file in Texas. Before you file a divorce petition in Spring, TX, or anywhere else in Texas, the following conditions must be met:
- You or your spouse must have lived in the country where you will file for at least the past 90 days; and
- You or your spouse must have lived in Texas for at least six months.
If you are unsure whether you or your spouse meet these criteria, The Stout Law Firm, PLLC can review your specific circumstances and determine where you can file for divorce. Filing in the correct county ensures that the process starts smoothly and efficiently.
Grounds for Divorce in Texas
In Texas, divorces can be granted based on fault or no-fault of the spouses. In a no-fault divorce, it means no one is to blame for the dissolution of the marriage. Instead, you cite insupportability, which is the discord or conflict of personality that destroys the legitimate ends of the marriage relationship . In an at-fault divorce, one or both spouses claim that the marriage cannot continue based on the fault of the other spouse. Fault-based grounds in Texas include:
- Cruelty,
- Adultery,
- Abandonment,
- Felony conviction,
- Living apart for at least three years, and
- Confinement in a mental hospital.
If you choose to pursue an at-fault divorce, you must present evidence of fault at trial to support your claim. Successfully proving fault could lead to a more favorable division of assets. However, proceeding on a fault-based ground typically results in a longer, more challenging and adversarial process. Consulting divorce lawyers who practice in Spring, TX, and the surrounding area can clarify your rights and help you decide whether pursuing an at-fault divorce makes sense in your situation.
Contested vs. Uncontested Divorce
When seeking a divorce in Texas, you should consider whether to file an uncontested or contested divorce. In an uncontested divorce, you and your spouse agree on all, or most matters, such as the grounds for divorce, the division of property and debts, and child custody, support, and visitation. An uncontested divorce involves:
- Filing a petition for divorce with all pertinent information, including your request for the division of the community estate and custody of children;
- Your spouse signing a Waiver of Service form to acknowledge receipt of the petition without formal service. However, if your spouse refuses to sign a Waiver of Service, you must formally serve a copy of the original petition on your spouse, along with a citation notifying them of the divorce filing. You may complete formal service through a licensed process server;
- Waiting at least 60 days before the court grants your divorce;
- Submitting an Agreed Final Decree of Divorce which outlines the division of your property and debts, as well as provisions regarding child custody, child support, visitation, and spousal support, if applicable; and
- Attending a brief prove-up hearing where a judge asks you standard questions, reviews your documentation, and hopefully signs the divorce decree and grants your divorce.
Uncontested divorces often proceed more quickly and affordably, due to the cooperation between spouses. However, even in an uncontested divorce, having an experienced divorce attorney draft or review your documents and divorce decree helps ensure that nothing is overlooked and your agreement is legally sound.
A divorce becomes contested if spouses cannot agree on critical issues, such as the division of their estate or the custody, support, and visitation of their children. The process for a contested divorce typically involves:
- Filing an Original Petition for Divorce that outlines your requests regarding the division for the division of the community estate and the custody of children, and may also include fault-based grounds for divorce;
- Serving your spouse with the petition, using a licensed process server, to notify them of the divorce filing;
- Allowing your spouse time to respond with an answer and counterpetition;
- Participating in initial hearings to establish temporary orders regarding finances, child custody, support, and visitation during the pendency of divorce;
- Issuing and responding to discovery requests to allow both spouses to gather information related to finances, child custody, visitation, and support;
- Attending mediation, if required by the court, to attempt to settle the issues involved in your divorce; and
- Preparing your case for trial if you cannot reach an agreement.
Attending mediation can help resolve some or all disputes, reducing the need for a trial. If mediation is unsuccessful, a judge will hear the case and decide any unresolved matters. This option involves more risk because the judge may issue a ruling that neither spouse likes.
How Divorce Lawyers in Spring, TX Can Help
Choosing the right divorce attorney in Spring, TX, is essential for successfully navigating this difficult process. The Stout Law Firm, PLLC, focuses exclusively on family law matters. Our team has handled countless divorce cases, giving us the knowledge and skills needed to represent your interests effectively and efficiently, whether through negotiation or trial.
We emphasize empathetic, individualized service because each client deserves a strategy aligned with their unique needs and circumstances. Attorney Angela Stout has been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer every year since 2017, and as a Rising Star prior to 2017. Such recognitions demonstrate the high standards and quality of our family law practice.
We understand the challenges of divorce, and our divorce lawyers practicing in Spring, TX are prepared to guide you through this process from start to finish. We will assess your situation, provide straightforward legal advice, and advocate for your rights. When contemplating divorce in Spring, TX, allow us to help you protect your family, finances, and future.Whether you are facing an uncontested or contested divorce, our attorneys are well-versed in the intricacies of Texas family law. We will provide you with personalized attention, answer your questions promptly, and develop a strategy tailored to your needs. Don’t hesitate to contact The Stout Law Firm, PLLC, today to schedule a consultation. Let us be your trusted ally in Spring, TX as you prepare to start a new chapter.