Divorce Lawyer Serving League City
Making the decision to file for divorce is always a complex one, even if you feel certain that divorce is the best decision for you under the circumstances. In order to get divorced in Texas, you will need to have an understanding of various parts of the Texas Family Code, including grounds for divorce in Texas and community property rules. Given the complexity of the divorce process in Texas, it is important to have an experienced League City divorce attorney on your side to guide you through your divorce and to advocate for your rights throughout the process.
Whether you need help filing a petition for the dissolution of marriage in Texas, or you were recently served with divorce papers after your spouse filed, you should get in touch with a skilled divorce lawyer at our firm who can help you. At the Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates, we have been representing clients in Texas divorce cases for years, and we can speak with you today about options for moving forward with your divorce and handling the case according to your specific priorities. Contact our League City law office today for a confidential, no obligation consultation.
Common League City Divorce Issues Our Firm Handles
Getting a divorce is about a lot more than filling out some legal paperwork. Before a divorce can be finalized in Texas, you not only need to satisfy the legal requirements but you also need to resolve all relevant family law matters. At the Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates, our League City, TX divorce attorneys have the professional skills and legal knowledge to help find the best solution. We handle many different types of legal issues that arise in League City divorces, such as:
- Determining grounds for divorce, including the no-fault options;
- Handling property division, including the classification of separate and community property and various complex property division issues that arise;
- High net worth divorce cases, including complex matters concerning inheritances, retirement benefits, and intangible property;
- Spousal support or alimony, including determinations of eligibility for alimony or seeking a modification of an existing alimony order;
- Child custody or conservatorships in Texas, including issues related to the best interests of the child factors and any issues concerning domestic violence; and
- Child support, including calculating child support and modifying existing child support orders.
What to Know About the Divorce Laws and the Divorce Process in Texas
Many people have gone through a divorce. The American Psychological Association (APA) estimates that as many as 50 percent of U.S. marriages end in divorce. The divorce rate in Texas is actually somewhat higher than the national average. (Some of this fact maybe due to the fact that Texas does not recognize legal separation) If you are preparing for a divorce in League City or anywhere else in Galveston County, it is crucial that you have a general understanding of the relevant state law. Here some of the most important things to understand about divorce in Texas:
- Most People Opt for an Uncontested, No Fault Divorce: While Texas does have fault-based grounds for divorce, most people in the state opt for a no-fault divorce on the grounds of “Insupportability.” With this type of divorce, spouses separate without either being assigned the blame. A divorce may be contested or uncontested in Texas. Whereas a contested divorce must be resolved by a court, an uncontested divorce is settled by the parties. Uncontested divorces tend to be faster, less expense, and lower conflict.
- Texas is a Community Property State: Texas is a community property state. With few exceptions, property and assets acquired during the course of a marriage will be considered to be jointly owned by both spouses. In the event of a divorce in Texas, community property is typically divided equally between the spouses. However, the court has the discretion to award a disproportionate share of the community property to one spouse if it determines that such an award is appropriate given the specific circumstances of the case.
- Best Interests of the Child Standard for Custody/Visitation: Parents of young children in League City face some unique challenges in divorce. They must work out issues of custody and visitation. Texas technically does not use either term in official divorce/family law proceedings. Instead, Texas uses terms like “conservatorship” and “possession and access.” Still, the general concept is the same. Any dispute in a divorce over custody or visitation is resolved with consideration to the best interests of the child.
Understanding Grounds for Divorce in League City, Texas
If you want to file for divorce in League City, you should know that Texas still recognizes grounds for divorce. While many states have eradicated fault-based divorces and grounds for divorce, Texas still requires the party who files for divorce to allege one of the grounds for divorce in order to have the divorce granted. While you must allege a ground for divorce, it is important to know that there are “no fault” grounds listed, which means that people in League City can file for either a fault-based or no-fault divorce. The Texas Family Code identifies the following as grounds for divorce, which include a no-fault option:
- Insupportability, which means that, “without regard to fault . . . the marriage has become insupportable because of discord or conflict of personalities that destroys the legitimate ends of the marital relationship and prevents any reasonable expectation of reconciliation”;
- Cruelty, which the Texas Family Code defines as “cruel treatment”;
- Adultery, or cheating;
- Conviction of a felony, which can be a ground for divorce if one of the spouses was convicted of a felony, imprisoned for at least one year, and not pardoned;
- Abandonment, meaning that one of the spouses left the other spouse “with the intention of abandonment” and stayed away for one year or longer;
- Living apart, which allows the court to grant a divorce “if the spouses have lived apart without cohabitation for at least three years”; or
- Confinement of one of the spouses in a mental hospital.
League City Contested and Uncontested Divorce
Divorces in League City are either contested or uncontested. In an uncontested divorce, the spouses have been able to reach an agreement about all issues in dispute, from the division of community property to child custody and conservatorship matters. Differently, in a contested divorce, the spouses still have at least one issue that remains in dispute. In general, uncontested divorces can go much more quickly and can cost less money since they do not require hearings before a judge to decide issues in dispute.
It is important to know that you may be able to have an uncontested divorce even if your divorce would currently be contested. Our League City divorce attorneys can speak with you about divorce mediation or collaborative divorce, both processes that can ultimately result in an uncontested divorce. We have extensive experience helping our clients find low-conflict, efficient solutions to their divorce cases. Our League City divorce lawyer can assist you with case preparation, negotiation, divorce mediation, and a wide range of other family law issues.
Requirements for Divorce in League City, TX
What do you need in order to be eligible for divorce in Texas? The following are residency requirements set forth in the Texas Family Code:
- At least one of the spouses must have been a resident of Texas for at least six months before the divorce was filed; and
- At least one of the spouses must have been a resident of the county where the divorce was filed for at least 90 days prior to the filing (i.e., Galveston County for a League City divorce).
Note: Texas has specialized exceptions to the residency requirement for active duty members of the United States military. You may be able to get a military divorce in Texas even if you have been in the state for less than six months. Our family law firm has a highly experienced military divorce attorney that is ready to help you!
Steps to Take to Plan for Your League City Divorce
When you are getting ready for a divorce in League City, you should prepare yourself by taking the following steps:
- Gather documents that identify personal information, such as birth certificates and your marriage license;
- Review any existing prenuptial or post-marital agreement;
- List all of your assets and debts, including detailed information about the date of acquisition and the any price or valuations or appraisals;
- Identify a ground for divorce, which can be a “no fault” ground; and
- Get in touch with a divorce lawyer in League City who can help you.
You do not have to figure out everything on your own. The divorce process and divorce proceedings can be confusing to navigate, but our family lawyers are here to help! If you have any questions about the steps to take in your divorce case, contact our experienced divorce attorney today for immediate help.
Why Rely On the League City, TX Divorce Attorneys at Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates
Going through a divorce is hard. You and your partner may agree that it is the right decision, but that still does not make things easy. There are legal, logistical, and financial challenges. Our founder and lead attorney is an experienced and reliable family law advocate. We go above and beyond to get the best results for our clients. When you reach out to our League City law office, you will have an opportunity to consult with a Texas divorce lawyer who can:
- Listen to your story, answer questions, and explain the next steps in the divorce process;
- Gather all of the financial documents, records, and other information that you need;
- Represent you in any settlement negotiations with your spouse; and
- Take whatever legal action is needed to set you up for the best possible future.
Here is the most important thing to know about divorce cases: Every situation is different. You deserve a League City, TX divorce attorney who will take the time to get to know your situation, your goals, and your needs to help get the best outcome. Family is important. No matter where you find yourself in your divorce case, you can count on our League City, TX divorce attorney for cost effective and solutions-focused guidance and support.
Contact a League City Divorce Lawyer Today to Get Started On Your Case
If you are planning to file for divorce or have been served with divorce papers, or if you merely have questions about the divorce process and whether you may be eligible to file, you should get in touch with one of our experienced League City divorce lawyers who can assist you. At the Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates, we have years of experience representing clients in Texas, and our legal services are committed to helping our clients through divorce cases in and around League City. Divorce can be complicated and contentious, but the process can go much more smoothly when you have a dedicated advocate on your side. Contact the Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates online or call our firm at (281) 962-7817 to find out more about the divorce services we provide in Texas.