Houston Divorce Lawyer

How your divorce is resolved through the decisions made can impact your life long-term, from your financial stability to how much time you can spend with your children. Because of the profound impact on these highly-important matters, it makes sense to work with an experienced divorce attorney to ensure that you have all the protections you need and a professional working vigorously to pursue your best interests.

Divorce Requirements in Texas 

When filing for divorce in Texas, specific requirements must be met. To start the process, one of the parties involved in the marriage must have been a resident of Texas for at least six months before filing. Additionally, the petitioner (the person filing) must have lived in the county they are pointing in for 90 days before the filing date.

Is Texas a No-Fault Divorce State?

Texas provides both fault-based and no-fault divorces. In a no-fault divorce, neither spouse has to provide evidence of any misconduct on the other spouse's part that led to the need for divorce. Because this evidence is not needed, the divorce process can be faster. However, if you and your spouse disagree on the issues relative to your divorce, which leads to the need for litigation, the process will be longer due to court schedules.

No-fault divorces in Texas are based on “insupportability,” meaning that your differences cannot be resolved. 

Fault-Based Divorce

Texas fault-based divorces are processed on the following grounds, which must be proven in court with evidence:

• Cruelty
• Adultery
• Abandonment
• Conviction of a felony (leading to a spouse being imprisoned for at least one year)
• Mental illness (the mentally ill spouse must have been in a mental hospital for at least three years and is unlikely to recover)
• Living apart for at least three years with no cohabitation during that time

The Division of Marital Property & Debt

The division of marital property and debt is a significant factor that must be resolved before your divorce can be finalized. Texas follows the “community property” standard in which an even division must be imposed. However, this issue can be enormously complicated with various factors that may be in play, which is why having a proven lawyer on your side is so important to ensure a fair result. 

Other Divorce Issues

The other issues related to a divorce, involving children and financial support, can be equally complicated as property/debt issues. Child custody is often the most contested and emotionally-draining issue between parents. Ensuring that child support payments are fair and just for both parents and that the child’s needs are met can also result in additional hearings before the court. Finally, alimony is an issue that is not given in any divorce. If you believe you need alimony or wish to contest alimony as the paying spouse, you will need representation to advance your case before the judge. 

Contact Our Houston Divorce Attorney Today 

Divorce is a complex process and can be emotionally draining for both the parties involved and those around them. When looking for a divorce lawyer in Houston, it is important to choose one with experience and knowledge of Texas laws so that all parties involved can feel confident in the outcome of their case. A qualified legal team helps make the process smoother and ensures all conditions are met before the official dissolution of marriage. Working with a professional family law attorney is an important step toward closure during this difficult time.

Contact Cy Lee Legal Group PLLC today to schedule a consultation with our divorce lawyer in Houston!