The Woodlands Divorce Lawyer

Divorce Attorney In The Woodlands, TX

Ending a marriage is never an easy situation, even when it becomes necessary. Divorce can be a painful and emotionally trying process and it can be especially difficult when your divorce case involves certain issues such as child support, child custody, or other child-related topics.

Tough decisions can lead to disputes, and having our legal team on your side can make an essential difference in your case. You should not feel alone in your divorce. Choosing an attorney who cares and guides you through the process can make a huge difference.

At the Walke-Wilson Firm, our team is dedicated to serving those living in The Woodlands and the surrounding areas. We are committed to helping our clients through every stage of their divorce and are ready to fight for the protection of their rights in court, should the need for litigation arise. From filing your initial divorce petition to negotiating on your behalf, to representing you in court, we can give you sound counsel and advice. We offer peace of mind that you and your family are protected.

Defining Divorce in The Woodlands and the Surrounding Areas

In The Woodlands and the surrounding areas, your divorce case will typically fall into two categories. Divorce can be a sensitive legal area and it is vital that you hire an attorney who can help you navigate every curveball that might be thrown your way.

No matter how amicable you and your spouse may hope to be, situations can occur that cause tensions to rise, and the parties involved may no longer be able to reach agreements on their own. The two main types of divorce are:

1. Contested divorce: Divorce can be difficult, especially when children are involved. It is common to give into feelings of bitterness and anger in dealing with a spouse who refuses to cooperate. When couples can’t agree on aspects of their divorce in Texas, such as child custody or alimony, this can lead to a divorce becoming contested. It is important to keep in mind that not every divorce begins as a contested case but can quickly morph into a fight.

An emotionally charged disagreement can play havoc with your divorce process and prevent both parties from being able to find common ground and move forward. Even one dispute can hold up the overall process and lead to a contested divorce. At the Walke-Wilson Firm, we aim to fight for your rights in a contested divorce and ensure you receive as favorable an outcome as possible in your unique situation.

Contested divorces can be complicated as well as time-consuming, but one may become necessary in order to reach the outcome you desire. Let the Walke-Wilson Firm fight for you and your loved ones to ensure that your interests are advocated for in a contested divorce.

1. Uncontested divorce: In a perfect situation, divorcing spouses would be able to agree on every decision related to their divorce. These decisions can include those regarding child custody, property division, alimony, and child support to name a few. When couples can reach these agreements on their own, this is considered to be an uncontested divorce.

These kinds of cases can be common for short-term marriages, as these couples tend to have fewer emotional decisions to make due to the shorter duration of their marriage. These couples may own fewer assets together or not share minor children. Other couples may be able to communicate better with one another and find areas of compromise.

No matter the nature of your Texas divorce, having an attorney on your side can make all the difference when it comes to the outcome. Divorce can be an emotional rollercoaster, and it is prudent to have an attorney on your side so that mistakes may be avoided.

Qualified Domestic Relations Orders

When you finalize a divorce, certain retirement accounts must be split using a court order. Qualified Domestic Relations Orders can also be used in other ways, such as handling child support and spousal maintenance. These documents are highly specialized and specific. We urge you to consult with an attorney when handling any type of retirement or before you attempt to split community property.

Spousal Maintenance:

Just because someone you know either receives spousal maintenance (also known as alimony or support) does not mean it would have been ordered by the Court. Who qualifies for maintenance is set by statute along with the maximum amount and length of the payments.

If you are paying spousal maintenance, you may be entitled to a modification of the amounts or even the termination of payments. On the other side, if you are supposed to be receiving payments for spousal maintenance and aren’t, then you may need to file an Enforcement for the money owed. New Texas laws allow for alternative methods of collecting these types of arrearages.

The Divorce Process in Texas

When seeking a divorce in Texas, the process will require several steps in order to reach finalization. The overall legal process includes the following steps:

• Filing the divorce petition. First, you must ensure that either you or your spouse has been a resident of Texas for at least six months prior to filing and that your divorce is filed in the county in which you have been a resident for at least 90 days prior to filing.

Depending on the nature of your circumstances, you and your divorce lawyer from the Walke-Wilson Firm may choose to seek protective orders at this stage in the divorce process.

• Service. There are a few options for service, and our team will help you select the best option for you. At the Walke-Wilson Firm, our team can take care of serving these documents to your spouse and can handle all the necessary paperwork that comes with this step.
• Discovery process. This step will involve the investigation of both parties involved in the case. For some couples, this step can be a simple exchange of documents and information. Sometimes clients may choose to forego this process. However, for more difficult cases, such as those involving domestic violence, high net worth property disputes, or contested child custody, the discovery process can become much more complicated.
• Negotiation or litigation. You and your spouse will attend mediation to attempt to reach agreements on various aspects of your divorce, including child support, property division, child custody, and alimony. Your attorney from the Walke-Wilson Firm can enter into negotiations with your spouse and their legal team on your behalf in order to reach a decision that benefits you. However, if this is not possible, we can litigate your case in court with fierce advocacy.
• Final divorce decree. In Texas, the individuals involved in the divorce must generally adhere to a waiting period of at least 60 days after the initial divorce petition was filed to sign their final divorce decree. Keep in mind, however, that many divorce cases will extend beyond this time frame.

Speak With a Trusted Family Lawyer in The Woodlands and the Surrounding Areas Today

When facing a divorce in The Woodlands and the surrounding areas, you want a team that is committed and dedicated to fighting for your interests over that of your spouse.

At the Walke-Wilson Firm, we are prepared to advocate for you regarding all decisions involved in your divorce, from child support to property division. We have the experience required to help you in every stage of divorce and are here to provide you with legal guidance that prioritizes you.

If you are facing divorce in The Woodlands and surrounding areas, contact the offices of the Walke-Wilson Firm today. Let our experienced team commit themselves and their resources to you and your needs.