How to Begin Your Texas Divorce

1. How to Begin Your Texas Divorce If you want to related guideline confidentiality Texas Child Law experience, So you can better suggestions in How to Begin Your Texas Divorce Divorce Lawyers Houston: What do I need to do to before I begin divorcing my spouse? How do I protect: > My children? > My privacy? > My assets? What first steps should I take in my Texas divorce? In the early stages of your divorce, your mind may be full of concerns for: > Your children > Your life > Your finances > What happens next or > What happens after your divorce.

2. We understand you are not alone. We know that the divorce process can be overwhelming it is not user-friendly. We want to help you regain control of your life and begin your divorce with the information you need to make decisions with confidence Take time to Think before you Act You may have the impulse to get things moving by going to court as soon as you can and filing for divorce. That will get the divorce process going, won’t it? Yes, filing for divorce does start the process. However, the actions you take in the early stages of divorce can significantly impact the outcome of your divorce, including the decisions about when to file. We get it. You never planned for the day you were going to be facing a divorce. Now that the day you never planned for has come, it is important that you think carefully and deliberately about: > What is important to you regarding your divorce > Who you need to help you achieve that important outcome The following steps will help you achieve a better outcome in your divorce: Begin Divorce: Your Goals for Your Future Before you file for divorce, you need to think about what you want your life to look like after you are divorced. It is important to think about this as early on as you can, ideally before you begin any divorce proceedings. You should be realistic, but do identify what is truly important for you. Children For example, if you have children, what sort of relationship and parenting time would you like to have? There are many different child conservatorship (custody) options in Texas, so consider what would work in your life. Your divorce lawyer will be able to go through the different available options available to you and help you craft a customized custody plan. Property Family Attorney Houston: What about property and debts? Many people in divorce are convinced that they want to keep the family home. However, it may be that keeping the family home is a bad idea for you for financial or other personal reasons. Alternatively, you may be able to use this to help improve your negotiating position. You should consider all your financial assets when planning a proposed property division:

3. > Second homes or vacation homes > Vehicles > Wine collections > Comic book collections > Gun collections > Stock portfolios > 401k’s > Any other important asset Be completely honest with your lawyer about your assets and your desires versus your needs. The two of you will be working together during your divorce so it’s important to be open from the beginning to develop a strategic plan that can lead to an advantageous settlement. Alimony Texas spousal support is handled on a case by case basis. There is not an automatic rule that entitles a spouse to support. Judges are given guidelines that allow them to consider awarding support in certain situations. Some questions that you may want to think about may include: > How much spousal support would be appropriate in your situation? > What are your financial commitments? Texas law on alimony has changed significantly in recent years and are often confusing. You should seek advice on spousal support based on your circumstances so that you can start planning for your future. You should discuss all of these items, and more, during your initial consultation with a divorce attorney. Taking these initial steps will allow you to file strategically for divorce when the time is right for you. The next step is to choose your divorce attorney. Choose the Right Divorce Attorney Hiring the right divorce lawyer is an important first step in planning your divorce. You should be able to: > Depend upon your lawyer > Know your lawyer will answer your questions > Count on your lawyer to act promptly to protect your interests You want a lawyer who is smart and strategic. You want a lawyer who is good at negotiating but is not afraid of taking the fight to the courtroom should it be necessary. Some things for you to consider when choosing your lawyer as you begin divorce include:

4. > A law firm dedicated to divorce & family law > Avoid the “Shark” attorney Find a Law Firm Dedicated to Divorce & Family Law Hiring the right family law attorney is similar to seeking out the right medical professional to treat a health condition. Just like you wouldn’t want a doctor who normally treats feet to handle your brain surgery, you do not want a lawyer who doesn’t normally handle divorces to handle your divorce. A law firm dedicated to family law will understand your divorce or family case and have the experience and knowledge you need for negotiations or court proceedings. Avoid the Overly Combative Lawyer Divorce Attorneys in Houston: A highly aggressive lawyer may make you feel like you are winning, but do not mistake an overly argumentative lawyer with strength. There is a time to fight and a time to negotiate. A lawyer who thinks taking your case to the courtroom is your first, and the only option may very well increase your divorce costs and the problems between you and your spouse. The courtroom may be the right option for your case, but generally, that is when someone has taken a completely unreasonable position that can only be resolved by a judge. The lawyer you choose needs to understand not only how to fight in court but also how to negotiate and when to choose between these legal tools …Continue Reading