Understanding the Divorce Process: A Step-by-Step Legal Guide
Are you or someone you know going through a divorce and aren’t sure what the road ahead looks like?
The Huerta Law Firm, located in El Paso, TX, has divorce lawyers with experienced representation to make this already hard process as easy as possible. We will handle every aspect of your case, from the initial filing to the final order. If you’re interested in having a free consultation, give our office a call at (915) 629-9988 or contact us online today.
Grounds for Divorce
In most divorces, the state you’re in depends on what can be done and your options. A divorce lawyer will help you discuss the grounds for divorce, a fault or no-fault divorce. A no-fault divorce is when a marriage becomes insupportable, and there is no direct person at fault. In a fault-based divorce, it means that one party is solely to blame for the divorce. No matter who may be at fault in your divorce, it’s best to always seek out an El Paso divorce lawyer to properly guide you around the law.
The Divorce Guide
There are a few steps the court will require you to go through before you can officially say your marriage is over. Read below to see those steps.
- Separation- In most states, there must be a waiting period for divorce, which can take a few weeks up to a year. During this waiting period, you can either formally or informally be separated from your spouse.
- Formally (Legally)- A written agreement regarding children, support, or money is written.
- Informally- You and your spouse live apart, whether that be in the same house or in different states.
If you’re unsure about separation laws in Texas, be sure to contact a divorce lawyer.
- Determining Grounds- As mentioned earlier, when filing, you have to decide whether this will be a fault or no-fault divorce. Every state allows no-fault divorces; however, not all of them allow for fault divorces. Fault divorces are more expensive and complicated. However, if there are serious reasons as to why you want a divorce other than “it didn’t work out,” then it’s best to go this route. A few reasons could be:
- You want the divorce on record that the other person is to blame for the divorce.
- There is spousal or child abuse occurring.
- Your spouse is being accused of abandonment.
- Filing- This is the most crucial step in the divorce process as now you are officially filing the paperwork. After you complete the required waiting period, make sure you are filing in the appropriate court. Because most locations have residency requirements, you need to attend a family or divorce court in the county in which you and your spouse live. Some crucial information you must provide when filing are:
- Legal names and contact information of you and your spouse
- The grounds for divorce
- The identifying information of any children you share
- What you are requesting in terms of custody, property division, alimony, or child support
You will need to pay a fee when filing. If you are experiencing financial hardships, discuss alternative options with your El Paso divorce lawyer.
Divorce Lawyers in El Paso
If you’re ready to go down the path of divorce, know that you don’t have to do it alone. The divorce lawyers at The Huerta Law Firm, located in El Paso, TX, are here to assist you with every step of the process. For a free consultation, call (915) 629-9988 today.