FORT BEND COUNTY DIVORCE LAWYERS

Experienced Divorce Attorneys Serving Houston, TX

Divorce is commonly one of the most stressful processes for those involved. This is especially true for couples who have minor children and/or large or complicated marital estates. When you get a divorce in Texas, you will need a divorce lawyer because when you legally end your marriage, many issues must be resolved before the process can be finalized.

Your divorce lawyer can help you get the best possible outcome when resolving:

• Matters of custody of children
• Assignment of child support and spousal support
• The division of marital property and debts

At Bastine Law Group, our experience advising and representing clients in divorce includes a full spectrum of divorce settlements negotiated outside of the courtroom as well as intensive litigation in court. Some couples agree on terms relatively easily. Others raise disputes that involve intricate litigation where intense disagreements regarding child custody and property division erupt.

Many families in Fort Bend County and the greater Houston area also have questions about how local courts will view their particular situation. Judges in this region apply the same Texas Family Code, but each courtroom has its own procedures and expectations for documentation, scheduling, and hearings. When you work with our team, we guide you through what to expect at the Fort Bend County courts, help you prepare required financial disclosures, and make sure you understand how decisions about custody, support, and property are likely to be approached in your case.

To speak with our experienced Houston divorce lawyers, call us at (832) 864-5524 or contact us online today. 

BASICS OF DIVORCE IN TEXAS AND FORT BEND COUNTY

Texas provides a no-fault option for divorce in Texas based on “insupportability.” This means that you no longer wish to remain married because of differences or disagreements that you and your spouse cannot resolve. In a no-fault divorce, neither you nor your spouse must prove any type of marital misconduct in court. This means your divorce can proceed much faster. However, if you and your spouse cannot come to an agreement on the terms, your divorce in Texas will take as long as necessary. Even with the best divorce lawyers, you must resolve your disagreements at the settlement table, or you must litigate in court.

Texas also provides fault-based grounds for divorce in Texas; these must be proven in court. They include:

• Cruelty
• Adultery
• Abandonment
• Felony conviction with imprisonment
• Mental illness

If you and your spouse have lived separately and apart for at least three years without any cohabitation, you can also file for divorce in Texas without having to prove any type of fault.

Understanding whether your situation is best filed as a no-fault or fault-based case is an important early decision. A fault-based case may affect how a judge divides property or considers support, but it can also require more evidence, witnesses, and time in court. During an initial consultation, a divorce attorney will usually review your goals, explain how Texas law treats fault and no-fault grounds, and help you weigh whether the added expense and conflict of a fault-based filing is likely to change the outcome in a meaningful way.

The Texas Divorce Process Step by Step

When you are considering ending your marriage, it helps to understand the basic steps involved in a Texas divorce so you know what to expect. Although every case is unique, most divorces in Fort Bend County follow a similar path through the local district courts. Knowing this timeline can make it easier to plan for work, childcare, and your financial responsibilities while the case is pending.

Most cases begin when one spouse files an Original Petition for Divorce and has it served on the other spouse, unless the parties agree to waive formal service. Temporary orders hearings may then be scheduled in the Fort Bend County courts to address short-term issues such as who will stay in the marital home, temporary custody arrangements, and how bills will be paid. During the next phase, both sides exchange financial information, gather records, and may participate in mediation to see if a full or partial agreement can be reached without a trial.

If you and your spouse are able to agree on all issues, your agreement is usually incorporated into a final decree that is presented to the judge after the 60-day waiting period has passed. If disputes remain, the case is set for trial and the judge will hear testimony and review exhibits before issuing a ruling. Throughout each stage, a divorce lawyer can help you evaluate settlement proposals, prepare for court hearings in Richmond, and stay on top of important deadlines so that your rights are preserved.