Dallas Divorce Lawyer

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Helping You Navigate The Complexities Of Divorce

Working with a Dallas divorce lawyer who understands and will listen to you is very important. When your legal advocate understands what you are going through, they can provide the counsel and support that you truly need.

When facing a divorce, there are a number of related legal matters you must address and resolve. Call a divorce attorney from Mathur Law Offices, P.C. to receive the critical legal advice you are seeking during this time. Whatever your particular situation may be, our legal team is here to guide you through your divorce process.

What Are The Different Types of Divorce?

With decades of experience and insight, our firm knows how to handle a wide range of family law and divorce matters, including:

At the Mathur Law Offices, P.C., we always put our clients' needs and priorities first, ensuring they have peace of mind regarding the outcome of their situation. We are intent on providing the highest quality representation possible, regardless of your circumstances, lifestyle, race, or religion.

Our divorce lawyers in Dallas will entirely devote themselves to your cause and, since members of our legal team hold strong ties to the local community and various organizations, we offer our services to clients from all walks of life, including those of the Christian, Desi, Indian, Muslim, and Hindu communities. We offer our services in English, Spanish, Hindi, Vietnamese, and Urdu.

What Is the Divorce Process in Texas?

1. Petition for Divorce - First, one spouse must file the Original Petition for Divorce with the court. If the other spouse is not working with the one filing, they must be served divorce papers in person. Otherwise the other spouse can sign off that they are in agreement about the divorce and they do not have to be formally served.
   1. When the Petitioner files for divorce, they may request a Temporary Restraining Order. This requires both spouses to act civilly towards one another and does not allow either spouse to get rid of assets prior to being divided by the court.
   2. If the Petitioner does not request a Temporary Restraining Order, the Responded (other spouse) has 20 days plus the following Monday to file an official Answer.
2. Temporary Orders (Optional)
   If requested, either spouse can file for a temporary order that will remain in effect from the time of filing a petition to the date that the divorce is finalized by the court. Temporary orders may include protective orders or orders for temporary child custody and child support, among others.
3. Discovery - For spouses who may think that they have not uncovered all of the information that the need from one another, they can go through the process of discovery. All important documents and any other necessary information must be exchanged during this time.
4. Settlement - From here, the spouses will have to discuss how they want to settle the case. There are two options: either the spouses agree on all matters of their divorce and create an Agreed Decree of Divorce or a trial date is set to further discuss the case.
5. Mediation - Spouses are required to attend mediation before going to trail, to see if they can potentially resolve their conflicts.
6. Trial - Should mediation fail, the case continues on to trial. Once the final aspects of the divorce have been settled upon, one of the attorneys involved will prepare a Final Decree of Divorce, which must be signed by the judge.
7. Waiting Period & Finalization of the Divorce - Once final determinations or agreements are established for all issues pertaining to the divorce, the court will grant a Decree of Divorce, which finalizes the divorce process. The minimum waiting-period from the filing of a petition to the finalization of a divorce is 60 days.

Texas Divorce FAQs

What are the requirements to file for divorce?

• While there may have been a time in the past when married couples were required to provide a reason for getting a divorce, today's Texas family laws do not make it a necessity. A partner may still provide a reason for the divorce, such as drug abuse, domestic violence, or criminal convictions, which the court can take into consideration when handling matters such as child custody. Currently, however, the only terms a married couple must meet beyond necessary paperwork are residency requirements.

What are the residency requirements?

• In Texas, at least one of the spouses filing for divorce must have continuously lived in the state for a six-month period. One of the spouses must also have been a resident of the jurisdiction in which the divorce is filed for at least 90 days.

What are the grounds for divorce?

• Couples do not have to state a reason for a divorce (no-fault divorce). If a partner does wish to state a reason for the dissolution of the marriage, the court can take the underlying cause into consideration when handling other aspects of the case. Common grounds for a divorce include criminal convictions and incarceration, domestic violence, abandonment, adultery, living separately for at least three years, and others.

How long will a divorce take to finalize?

• At the minimum, a divorce in Texas can be finalized only after a 60-day waiting period has elapsed. Personal circumstances, whether or not the divorce is contested, and whether or not children are involved can greatly influence how long a divorce may take. Such factors may cause the divorce process to range anywhere from a few months to a year, or possibly more if couples are having difficulty coming to an agreement on issues.

What is community and separate property?

• In Texas, the law states that all property (assets) earned by either spouse during the marriage is community property and therefore owned equally by each spouse. Property division of community property will be determined in a just and right manner.
• In order for a spouse to claim that certain assets can be considered separate property, they must present clear and convincing evidence that it belongs solely to them by tracing the source of the assets. Gifts or inheritance, for example, can be considered separate property. Our attorneys can help you in further understanding this concept and what can be done in your case.

Do I really need a divorce lawyer?

• While there is no legal statute that requires you to have legal representation when filing a divorce, and although it is ultimately your choice, working with an experienced Dallas divorce attorney can make a significant difference in your legal experience, the outcome of your case, and your future well-being.
• For straightforward divorces, an attorney can help a couple complete the necessary legal procedures in a timely and competent manner. For more complex matters, including contested divorce, high-net-worth divorce, and issues involving children, having a lawyer by your side can ensure that you have an advocate who works to obtain results that are in your best interests.
• Whether this means protecting your property, securing spousal support, gaining child custody, or protecting your rights, the advantages of working with an attorney are numerous and invaluable.

Put Our Experienced Divorce Law Firm on Your Side

Our desire is to represent our clients and assure them that they will receive the favorable outcome they deserve. We assist our clients in planning the best strategy for their cases. This may include when and where to file an action, what timing will be the best, and the necessity for immediate relief or protection through injunctions and temporary restraining orders.

Devising an effective plan is critical to ensuring that the client is protected throughout the process and able to resolve their family law and divorce matters in a peaceful way.

Recommended Reading:

• What Is the Difference Between a Contested and Uncontested Divorce?
• Child Custody Issues in Dallas
• Is Your Divorce Private?