Divorce is often viewed as a difficult process, but it can be far less difficult if you and your spouse are able to agree on all aspects of the divorce. In an uncontested divorce, spouses do just this. However, a person going through an uncontested divorce must still file the appropriate paperwork and ensure that their interests are being protected, which usually requires the support of an understanding and skilled attorney.
The top-rated divorce attorneys of BB Law Group PLLC are ready to assist you with any aspects of your uncontested divorce, and will make sure that your interests are fully represented. To learn more about how we can help you finalize your divorce efficiently so you can move on in your life, contact us at (832) 534-2589.
Why Do I Need an Uncontested Divorce Attorney?
Hiring an attorney for your uncontested divorce will ensure that the process goes as quickly and seamlessly as possible. There are numerous ways in which hiring a lawyer will ensure you get the best divorce outcome possible.
- Hiring a lawyer will streamline the entire process. The legal paperwork required in order to file for divorce is written in highly specialized, legalistic language. Making mistakes on this paperwork, forgetting to include a document, or missing a deadline even by a day can result in serious delays in your divorce process. A divorce attorney will know exactly how to fill out the paperwork, as well as when and where to file.
- Asset division can have surprising financial and tax ramifications. Divorces often require the division of shared marital assets and property, such as homes, vehicles, and bank accounts. Even if you agree on how to divide everything, acquiring property or moving money into different bank accounts can have serious legal and tax ramifications. Additionally, people making an uncontested divorce may overlook certain issues, such as dividing retirement accounts. A divorce attorney will ensure that you have settled all issues and that you don’t make any transfers or divisions that will later have surprise ramifications.
- It’s very difficult to undo a final divorce agreement. Even if you agree on the divorce terms, it’s important to consult an attorney before signing any legal documents. Divorces concern important issues like child custody, child visitation, and asset division. You could be signing away important rights without fully realizing it. Consulting an experienced divorce attorney will ensure that you are getting a deal that is fair in both the long and short term.
- Even if a divorce starts amicably, it may not end that way. Many spouses going through a divorce want to go through the process as quickly and painlessly as possible, and think that an uncontested divorce will accomplish this. In reality, decisions regarding finances and custody arrangements often cause immense stress and conflict, and an uncontested divorce can quickly turn contested. If both parties begin the process by hiring lawyers who can help arbitrate without emotional investment while handling complicated paperwork and filing deadlines, the process may actually be less stressful and more amicable.
Why Should I Choose BB Law Group PLLC?
BB Law Group PLLC recognizes that even if a divorce is uncontested, it can still be an extremely stressful and emotional process. We are proud of the compassionate approach we take to our divorce cases, and work to build personal relationships with all of our clients. We believe that fostering an attorney-client relationship built on trust, respect, and honesty gives us the best results. By custom-tailoring our work to each client’s individual needs, we consistently achieve satisfying outcomes for our clients.
Common Settlement Terms
Even in uncontested divorces, you and your spouse will have to agree on a number of different issues before your divorce can be finalized. Several of the more common issues arising in divorces include:
- Child Support Payments
- Child Custody Agreements
- Child Visitation
- Alimony Payments
- Division of Property/Assets
- Division of Debts
Each of these aspects of a divorce will have to be settled before you can complete your divorce and begin to move on with your life. Fortunately, an experienced attorney can help make this process easier for you to understand and complete.
What Is the Process of Getting an Uncontested Divorce in Texas?
All divorces in Texas begin the same way, whether contested or uncontested. One party will file a petition with the court stating that you are requesting a divorce. The elements of this petition will depend on your circumstances, such as whether or not you have minor children, and if you share property and assets. Your lawyer will help you write and file the petition. Making mistakes on the petition or filing it incorrectly can result in fees and delays. After filing, your case will be given to a judge who will preside over the divorce.
In order to file for divorce, Texas law requires that at least one of the parties has been a Texas resident for at least six months before filing. The party who files must have lived in the county in which they are filing for at least 90 days before starting the divorce.
After filing the petition, you have to wait at least 60 days before your divorce will be finalized. In general, uncontested divorces take less time than contested ones. If you and your spouse remain uncontested during these 60 days, it’s likely that your divorce will be finalized around the 60-day point after filing. However, it is important to understand that the legal system can be slow-moving, and delays are frequent. Final divorce hearings are subject to judge’s schedules, which in some cases can be extremely packed.
When your final divorce hearing is scheduled, you and your spouse will both go to the hearing. You will tell the judge that you are not contesting the terms of your divorce, and you will present the judge with your agreement on division and child custody. The judge will likely ask questions to ensure that both parties are truly in agreement and fully understand the terms of the divorce. The judge will then finalize your divorce, and you and your spouse will be officially divorced.
Can My Divorce Be Uncontested if I Have Children?
You are not legally required to hire a lawyer to get divorced, even if you have minor children. However, we strongly recommend that you hire a divorce lawyer if your divorce agreement concerns custody, visitation, and child support arrangements. Such arrangements are governed by the “best interest of the child” principle. This means that a judge will ultimately make a decision based on neutral judicial standards, and may reject your agreement if it is deemed to not be in the child’s best interest.
This means that you can suddenly lose the right to spend time with your children and make decisions about their lives. Child custody/visitation/support decisions are very difficult to change. A divorce and family law attorney will advise you if they think a judge is likely to reject a child custody agreement. Even if you are not contesting your divorce, hiring a lawyer is crucial if you have children.
Contact Us
Even if you think that you will not disagree with your spouse about divorce terms, it’s a good idea to consult with an attorney about the many issues you could potentially face. If you don’t hire an attorney, you run the risk of making costly financial mistakes when dividing assets and of losing your right to see and spend time with your children. It is extremely difficult to undo a bad divorce, so it’s in your best interest to consult a lawyer from the beginning.
Contact an experienced uncontested divorce lawyer of BB Law Group PLLC today by calling (832) 534-2589 to find out how our qualified and understanding legal team can support you through your divorce.