The first step in any divorce is the filing of a petition. After a petition is filed, the Texas Family Code requires a 60 day waiting period before a divorce can become final. This is not a deadline; very often complex cases involving children, property and debts can take much longer than 60 days. During that cooling off period, Jefferson County courts require divorcing parents to complete a parenting class. Depending on the nature of your case, you may also have to produce documents, such as pay checks, bank records or business records.A petition for divorce may also include a request for temporary orders. Temporary orders are ground rules that are effective while the divorce is pending.

Discovery

The next step in obtaining a divorce is the discovery process. Each spouse is entitled to information from the other side about the case. Discovery can be conducted informally if the parties and the attorneys can agree to exchange documents and information.

Trial

Trying a custody or divorce case requires a great deal of preparation on the part of the attorney, witnesses and the client. It can also be very expenses, particularly if counselors, doctors, ad litems and investigators are involved. Very often, clients want alternatives to trial that are less expensive and also less stressful. 

The Final Decree of Divorce and Closing Documents

A divorce decree will address the following issues:dissolution of the marriage, child custody, child support,name change, spousal support,visitation, characterization and division of property and debts. Sometimes other documents that are not a part of the decree itself should be drafted by your attorney and entered by the court at the same time as the decree. This include Withholding Orders, Qualified Domestic Relations Orders, Deeds and Assignments.

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The information provided on this website is general in nature. When you are ready to discuss your case, please call or send me an email.

Alternatives to Trial

Mediation

A specially trained individual meets with the clients and the attorneys to help them reach an agreement. Although the mediator is supposed to be impartial, each side should have representation to protect their legal rights and to inform them about the consequences of an agreement.

Arbitration

The parties may choose to submit their case to a trained individual who will decides the case. The arbitrator's decisions are made in to the judgment of the court and are binding on he party as would be the decisions of a trial judge.

Collaborative Law

Collaborative Law is a process where the parties and their attorneys agree to resolve all issues in their case without going to court. Neither party may ask for a trial as long as they are attempting to negotiate a settlement through the Collaborative Process. In the unlikely event that a party feels that trial is a better alternative, the Collaborative Law process terminates and both spouses must hire new lawyers to take their case to court.