Galleria/Uptown Divorce Lawyer
Marrying someone is an impactful decision, but marriages don’t always work out as planned. Seeking a divorce is a reasonable decision when it’s time for you and your spouse to part ways. However, divorces can be contentious without effective legal counsel. In a divorce, you have certain rights and rules to follow, which can be difficult to understand alone. When dealing with a legal issue that affects your family and future, it’s normal to feel confused, anxious, or frustrated.
You’ll need in-depth legal knowledge to make sure that your divorce is handled fairly. By hiring a knowledgeable Galleria/Uptown divorce attorney from Stepp & Sullivan, you can rest assured knowing your best interests are represented and fought for. We place a high value on providing our clients with answers that address their legal concerns and get the best outcome for their situation.
Grounds for Divorce Allowed in Galleria/Uptown
In Texas, you can file either a fault-based or no-fault divorce. When you seek a no-fault divorce, you are not required to present evidence to support your reason for filing for divorce. For fault-based divorces, you must establish on what grounds you are filing for divorce and present evidence supporting that claim.
Texas law allows for divorce on the following grounds:
- Abandonment
- Adultery
- Cruelty
- Felony conviction
- Hospitalization for mental illness
- Insupportability
- Living apart
While a fault-based divorce often requires more time and effort, it may be worth it for you, depending on your situation. Establishing grounds for divorce can influence the outcome of your divorce, making it go in your favor. Decisions on property division and child custody may be significantly impacted when one spouse proves the other is at fault for the divorce.
Discuss your situation with a skilled Galleria/Uptown divorce lawyer to determine which decision would best benefit you and align with your goals.
What Am I Entitled to in a Divorce in Galleria/Uptown?
Texas law makes a distinction between community property and separate property during a divorce. Community property is the property jointly owned by you and your spouse, while separate property is the property that solely belongs to one spouse. In most cases, the community property is split evenly between the spouses, whereas each spouse retains their own separate property.
Texas does not distinguish between property owned by you and your spouse based on whose income was used to purchase the property. Instead, income acquired during the marriage is classified as communally owned. To be considered separate property, your property must have either been inherited, received as a gift solely to you, or owned before your marriage.
How Custody Is Awarded in a Galleria/Uptown Divorce
If shared custody is in the child’s best interests, the court typically awards it unless one parent can provide evidence to the contrary. When pursuing primary custody, you must provide compelling evidence you are suitable for the position. When deciding custody, the court considers your household’s condition and ability to provide for your child’s health and safety.
You have a better chance of winning the custody battle if you can persuade the judge that you can give your child a secure home. Establishing that the following is true about yourself can help make a compelling case for why you should be granted custody of your child:
- You have what it takes to tend to your child’s emotional and physical needs.
- You can ensure your child’s home and academic stability.
- You can arrange suitable childcare in your absence.
- Neither you nor anyone in your household engages in substance abuse.
Judges take into account these factors to ensure a child of divorced parents is with a suitable guardian and living in a safe household where their needs are met. The assistance of a Galleria/Uptown divorce attorney with experience handling child custody issues can help you achieve your custody goals.
Is There a Set Waiting Period Before Finalizing a Divorce?
To be eligible to file for divorce in Texas, you or your spouse must have resided in Texas for at least six months immediately prior to filing and in the county for at least 90 days immediately prior to filing. Once the residence requirements are satisfied, spouses must wait 60 days from the date the divorce petition is submitted before their divorce is finalized.
Spouses have the chance to reach a settlement or agreement within those 60 days. The divorce may take more than 60 days to be finalized if the spouses cannot come to an agreement.
There are two scenarios where the court may shorten the waiting period to finalize a divorce in Texas. Suppose your spouse has a criminal record that includes family violence or you have a protective order against them for domestic violence. In cases such as these, you may be able to ask for a quicker divorce. A court may issue the divorce much sooner if there has been violence and waive the 60-day waiting period instead.
Hire a Reliable Divorce Lawyer to Fight for Your Best Interests in the Galleria/Uptown Area
Divorce is often one of the most challenging experiences in a person’s life. While some couples might get a divorce in a matter of months, others might find themselves caught up in a more complicated situation that could last for years. Without knowledgeable legal representation, a divorce may be handled unfairly and negatively affect a person’s life.
Contact the trustworthy Galleria/Uptown divorce lawyers at Stepp & Sullivan for guidance in navigating the divorce process. Using skills that we’ve acquired over more than 40 years combined of practicing law, our legal team can effectively address your divorce concerns in the Galleria/Uptown Area and across the United States. Our firm can help you secure a favorable outcome and help relieve your stress. Call (713) 336-7200 or fill out our contact form to make an appointment with our firm.
