Sugar Land Divorce Lawyer in Texas

Going through a divorce is difficult – not only do you deal with emotional and social stress, but the legal procedures make it all the more difficult. Fortunately, folks in and around Fort Bend County can get in touch with an experienced Sugar Land divorce lawyer to not make the process more cumbersome.

The Vendt Law Firm is dedicated to providing legal support for all clients going through a divorce. Our aim is to make the process as smooth as possible. However, divorce is not a trivial matter and requires a lot of time and attention. We try to eliminate the complexities through our years of experience in divorce-related legal proceedings.

Common issues and frequently asked questions of Sugar Land divorce lawyers

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions when someone is going through the divorce process in Texas. 

• Child custody:  People often wonder how time will be divided among themselves and their ex-spouse.  Who will pay more to support the other? Which party will get more time with the kids? What factors influence those decisions? Do the kids have a say in the matter?  These are all questions that The Vendt Law Firm helps clients with on a daily basis.
• Property division: How will marital assets like a home, vehicles, stocks, bank accounts, and other assets be divided?  What determines who gets what and who makes these decisions? The Vendt Law Firm helps clients in Sugar Land get prepared to work through these challenging questions to come up with the best solution possible for their particular situation.
• Spousal maintenance: What happens when one spouse doesn’t work or doesn’t bring in as much money as the other?  How much money does that person get from the other spouse? Going with an inexperienced attorney could mean you aren’t getting your fair share. 

How to file for divorce in Sugar Land, Texas without a lawyer

The fast answer is, don’t.

There’s an old saying that a person who represents themselves has a fool for a client.  Don’t roll the dice on your future.

The fact is, only divorce lawyers have the specialized training and experience that it takes to initiate and complete the divorce process successfully.  Going it alone means you will make costly mistakes that could have life-changing consequences. 

Worse yet, if your spouse hires an attorney and you do not, you could be at an extreme disadvantage.  Persons who try to file for divorce using their own research or using a low-cost or inexperienced attorney may succumb to pitfalls they otherwise could have avoided.

In Texas, those seeking divorce must meet certain requirements in order to be eligible for divorce.  For instance, one spouse must have been a legal resident of the state for at least 6 months prior to filing. In addition, this person must have lived in their current county for at least 90 days.

When can you file for a divorce in Sugar Land, TX?

In Texas, the following reasons give an individual grounds to file for divorce:

• Adultery
• Unreasonable cruelty
• A felony conviction
• Living separately for at least 3 years
• Spousal abandonment for at least 1 year- and/or
• Indefinite confinement in a mental health facility

However, keep in mind that these are common grounds for divorce. That means these grounds are applicable only when the divorce is mutually agreed upon. If only one partner is willing to get a divorce and the other is against it, things will become much more complicated.

Uncontested divorces are relatively simpler to go through, but you would still need a competent divorce attorney. If you are deciding to fight the case by yourself, you would be at a significant disadvantage. The problem will be even more severe when the other party hires a lawyer but you haven’t. The chances of the verdict going against your interests is very high in such cases.

Recognized reasons for divorce in the State of Texas

Texas is one of only a handful of states that recognizes both fault-based and no-fault divorce.  This means a couple can cite the reasoning for divorce in their official petition with the court.

Common grounds for divorce include:

• Adultery
• Unreasonable cruelty
• A felony conviction
• Living separately for at least 3 years
• Spousal abandonment for at least 1 year; and/or
• Indefinite confinement in a mental health facility.

If either party chooses to cite fault in their divorce, they must be prepared to back up their claims with evidence to its legitimacy.

Cost of a divorce lawyer in Sugar Land TX

While it is common for attorneys anywhere to have predictable hourly rates, the cost of your particular divorce depends entirely on your unique situation.  In general, the more complicated a case is, the more assets a couple has, the more meticulous a good attorney needs to be in order to produce the best possible outcome. 

How much you pay for a divorce lawyer in Sugar Land largely depends on how complicated your case is. Most attorneys charge on an hourly basis, and they will be able to give you a fair estimate of costs. However, they will only be able to do so after knowing details about your case. Unless you communicate everything about your situation to the lawyer, you will not get a fair estimate.

Filing for divorce can be expensive, more so when you do not communicate openly with your lawyer. You must also be honest about your financial constraints, if any, with the lawyer. Only then will you get a good review of how much the entire divorce process is going to cost.

How to choose a divorce lawyer in Sugar Land, Texas

1. Do not look for free advice: Any resource online that is free or an attorney willing to work with you for free or discounted prices may not be the best option. Remember that with divorce lawyers in Texas, you often get what you pay for.
   
2. Look for someone with experience: There isn’t a hard and fast rule on this.  Look for lawyers who have been running their practice for several years.  These are the lawyers who have been in business long enough to know how to win.
3. Go with leading edge attorneys: Case details can multiply quickly and become hard to track.  The best lawyers utilize legal-focused management software to keep track of information so they can swiftly connect dots and win cases.  If an attorney is still using pencil and paper to keep track of your case details, it’s best to look elsewhere.
   

Resources for individuals going through divorce

Legal representation is often only one service people may need when going through the divorce process.  Often there are numerous other impacts to a person’s life as a result of dissolving a marriage. 

People may experience:

• Stress
• Anxiety 
• Depression
• Domestic violence: Sugar Land residents who are victims of domestic violence can find help here or on the city’s website. 
• Thoughts of suicide
• Feelings of isolation
• Economic hardship

There are numerous local resources in Sugar Land that people can take advantage of if they are experiencing any of the above. 

Links to helpful resources in the State of Texas

• Texas Family Code, Chapter 154 – Child Support: Text of Texas Family Code: Title 5. The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship; Subtitle B. Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship; Chapter 154. Child Support.
• Texas Family Code, Chapter 6 – Suit for Dissolution of Marriage: Text of Texas Family Code: Title 1. The Marriage Relationship; Subtitle C. Dissolution of Marriage; Chapter 6. Suit for Dissolution of Marriage.
• Texas Family Code, Chapter 7 – Award of Marital Property: Text of Texas Family Code: Title 1. The Marriage Relationship; Subtitle C. Dissolution of Marriage; Chapter 7. Award of Marital Property
• Texas Family Code, Chapter 8 – Maintenance: Text of Texas Family Code: Title 1. The Marriage Relationship; Subtitle C. Dissolution of Marriage; Chapter 8. Maintenance.
• Texas Family Code, Chapter 153 – Conservatorship, Possession, and Access: Text of Texas Family Code: Title 5. The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship; Subtitle B. Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship; Chapter 153. Conservatorship, Possession, and Access.

Frequently Asked Questions about Divorce in Sugar Land, Texas

As a dedicated family law firm, there are several questions that we field from clients on a regular basis. We are committed to providing our clients with the comprehensive knowledge necessary to make informed decisions about their divorce. If there are any other questions you have for us, please feel free to reach out to us today!

How long does a divorce take in Texas?

A divorce cannot be finalized for a minimum of 60 days after filing the petition, though it often takes longer when there are aspects of the settlement the spouses do not agree on. A finalized divorce could take anywhere from four months to a year, depending on the case’s complexity.

Is Texas a no-fault divorce state?

Yes—you are not required to prove fault to get a divorce in Texas. However, if there is fault in the case, a spouse may list fault as a contributing factor in decisions of alimony or child custody.

How do I win child custody in Texas?

The court determines child custody by pursuing what is in the best interests of the child. This may include factors such as each parent’s financial and emotional stability, their individual relationship with the child, the presence of any substance abuse issues, and more. Depending on the age and maturity of the child, courts may also take the child’s wishes into account when making the final decision.

Is Texas a community property state?

Yes—issues regarding the division of your marital assets are determined according to Texas law on community property. A court in Texas will conduct a “just and right” division of community property upon divorce. All property a married couple acquired while married qualifies as community property subject to a just and right division by the courts in a divorce case.

Do you have to go to court for a divorce?

Yes and no—only a court may grant a legally recognized divorce. However, you and your spouse do not have to go through court proceedings to resolve critical issues related to your divorce. You and your spouse can enter into a private settlement agreement to establish the exact terms of your divorce without going to court. When you reach a settlement, you must provide the court with a copy of the settlement and its terms. If there are no legal problems with the agreement, the court will base its divorce orders on the terms of your settlement agreement.

Who is eligible for spousal support?

Texas law regarding alimony and spousal support is complicated. Courts are prohibited from ordering, modifying, or enforcing permanent alimony obligations in Texas. A person’s legal duty to provide financial support for their spouse ends upon divorce. However, Texas recognizes the validity of what is known as “spousal maintenance.” It is highly recommended that you consult an experienced attorney to help you understand the nature and extent of your rights and responsibilities regarding spousal support in Texas.

The Vendt Law Firm, P.L.L.C. can help you resolve issues with:

Child custody: In Texas, child custody is known as “conservatorship.” Matters of conservatorship are often the most hotly contested among divorcing spouses.  We can help you establish a workable agreement with your estranged spouse including on issues of child custody, child support, and alimony. 

Spousal maintenance: Also called alimony, this is awarded in cases where one spouse makes significantly more income than the other.  Generally, it is intended to assist the lesser-earning spouse in maintaining the standard of living they enjoyed during the marriage. 

Because Texas family court judges can determine spousal maintenance at their own discretion, it’s important to have an experienced divorce attorney by your side to help you with matters of spousal maintenance.

Division of property: Texas is a community property state, which means the property acquired during your marriage must be divided evenly between both spouses, whereas separate property will remain with the spouse who brought it into the marriage. 

It’s important to note that although the law states the division of property should be equitable, this does not mean division will be equal.  An equitable outcome relies on a few different factors concerning the divorce, such as income level and the standard of living each spouse is accustomed to.

An Aggressive Divorce Lawyer

We pride ourselves on delivering sound guidance to our clients. If you are thinking about divorce, our Sugar Land attorney can work with you to create an agreement that best suits your needs and wishes.

How to make divorce easier?

There are two aspects to making divorce as smooth as possible. First, you need to take care of yourself mentally and socially and not feel despair. Second, you need good legal support to take care of all the legal matters. A combination of these two will make your divorce process smoother.

Contact a Sugar Land divorce lawyer today!

The Vendt Law Firm is always here to help people get through divorces. We specialize in giving clients the results they desire. Get in touch to further discuss your situation.

To schedule a consultation with a Sugar Land divorce lawyer, call our firm at (832) 276-9474 today!