When that happens, sleepless nights may come your way more often than not, leaving you feeling like a mess. If you want to keep your anxiety from getting the best of you, it is important to learn what to expect during your divorce in Texas. You can get started in taking back control of how you feel by browsing through this guide.
The Process Begins With Filing a Petition
To start the divorce, you or your spouse must file a petition with the court where you live. In Texas, you must meet the residency requirements, which demands that at least one of you has been a state resident for at least six months prior. In addition, either one of you must have lived in the county where you file for at least 90 days. As long as you meet those requirements, you can file an Original Petition for Divorce.
If you go together, you can skip the need for the court to serve papers to the other party by signing a waiver. On the other hand, if you feel you are in danger of retaliation by your spouse, you can file for a temporary restraining order that locks in assets and helps keep things civil. You can also ask for temporary custody, child support, or spousal support order until the court can hear the case.
Upon receiving notice of the divorce petition, your spouse must issue a response within about 20 days. After that, both parties will have a chance to request additional info and documents through discovery.
Mediation Follows to Potentially Settle the Case
With all the documents in hand, you and your spouse will have a chance to hash out the details of the divorce through mediation. You will need to decide how to divide all assets, custody, and other shared interests. If you both cannot come to an agreement about all the terms of the divorce, the court will set a trial date. Before trial, you will likely need to go through another round of mediation in an attempt to figure it out amongst yourselves.
When to Get Help From Lauren Cain Divorce Lawyer
You never have to go through your divorce alone. You can bring in Lauren Cain divorce lawyer to provide all the support you need to navigate the process with confidence. She will help you take all the right steps from beginning to end, giving you a fresh, new start with ease. To set up your consultation, just give her a call at (214) 234-2622.