Strategic Divorce Planning and Preparation

Effective divorce representation begins long before court proceedings commence. Our Harker Heights divorce attorneys work closely with clients to develop comprehensive case strategies that protect their interests and minimize potential complications. 

This preparation phase involves:

• Thorough document collection
• Asset identification
• Financial analysis
• Goal setting to establish clear objectives for property division
• Custody arrangements
• Support obligations

Early case preparation significantly impacts divorce outcomes and timeline efficiency. We advise clients to organize financial records, including tax returns, bank statements, investment accounts, and business documentation. 

Property appraisals, debt assessments, and income verification provide essential foundations for equitable settlement negotiations. Our attorneys guide clients through this preparation process while addressing immediate concerns such as temporary support, custody arrangements, and protective orders when necessary.

Texas Divorce Grounds and Procedures

Texas recognizes both fault-based and no-fault divorce grounds, allowing couples flexibility in how they approach dissolution proceedings. No-fault divorces based on insupportability remain most common, requiring only proof that the marriage has become insupportable due to discord or conflict. Fault-based grounds include adultery, cruel treatment, abandonment, living apart, confinement in a mental hospital, or conviction of a felony, each requiring specific evidence and legal procedures.

The mandatory sixty-day waiting period in Texas provides couples time for reconciliation consideration while allowing attorneys to prepare comprehensive settlement agreements. During this period, temporary orders may address spousal support, child custody, visitation schedules, and bill payment responsibilities. Our firm efficiently handles temporary order requests while working toward final decree preparation.

Community Property Division Strategies

Texas community property laws create presumptions of equal ownership for assets acquired during marriage, but courts maintain discretion to order disproportionate division based on specific factors. Our Harker Heights divorce attorneys thoroughly analyze marital estates to identify community property, separate property, and potential reimbursement claims that affect final distributions.

Complex asset division requires careful evaluation of business interests, professional practices, retirement accounts, real estate holdings, and personal property. We collaborate with certified public accountants, business appraisers, and financial planners to ensure accurate asset valuation and tax-efficient property division strategies. Hidden asset investigations, forensic accounting, and expert witness testimony provide additional protection for clients facing potential financial deception.

Custody and Support Considerations

Child custody determinations focus exclusively on the best interests of affected children, requiring comprehensive evaluation of parental fitness, stability, and commitment to child welfare. Texas courts consider numerous factors, including each parent's physical and emotional condition, parenting history, stability of home environment, and willingness to support the child's relationship with the other parent.

Our attorneys prepare detailed custody presentations that document client involvement in children's education, healthcare, extracurricular activities, and daily care responsibilities. Character witnesses, school records, medical documentation, and psychological evaluations may support custody positions when circumstances warrant additional evidence.

Child support calculations follow Texas Family Code guidelines based on the obligor's net monthly income and the number of children requiring support. Standard percentages range from twenty percent for one child to forty percent for five or more children, with potential modifications for high-income cases, special needs children, or extraordinary circumstances.

Comprehensive Legal Representation

The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard handles all aspects of Harker Heights divorce cases, from initial consultation through final decree entry and post-decree modifications. Our comprehensive approach addresses immediate client needs while anticipating future challenges that may arise after divorce completion. We provide honest case assessments, realistic timeline expectations, and transparent fee structures that allow clients to make informed decisions about their legal representation.

Our firm's commitment to client service includes emergency appointments for urgent situations, military discounts for service members, and flexible payment arrangements during financially challenging times. We understand that divorce affects entire families and work diligently to minimize disruption while achieving favorable outcomes.

Trust the experienced Harker Heights divorce attorneys at the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard to protect your interests during this difficult time. Reach out to our office at 254-781-4222 or online to schedule your free consultation and learn how our dedicated legal team can guide you through the divorce process with skill and compassion.

Guiding You Through the Divorce Process One Step at a Time

The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard is proud to serve clients in Harker Heights and the surrounding areas. Our firm offers a variety of legal services to help our clients at every stage of the divorce process. From filing to the Final Decree, we provide compassionate legal counsel backed by over two decades of experience.

Call the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard at (254) 220-4225 to speak with a legal advocate today.

How Long Is the Divorce Process in Texas?

Most divorce cases last several months to a year, but every divorce is different and, because of this, unique issues can extend your divorce case.

There are no guaranteed ways to shorten the divorce process, but there are steps you can take to help your case progress more efficiently. One of the most important things you can do is to have records of your property and assets ready for review by an attorney or estate appraiser. Property division is one of the most time-consuming parts of a divorce, so it is helpful to have detailed records on hand.

Another lengthy part of the divorce process is the child custody and visitation agreement. This is a sensitive topic, and many spouses find it difficult to come to a mutual agreement. It saves time to have an agreement going into the divorce proceedings, but this is not always possible. Divorce is an emotional process by nature, and the added pressure of making a decision about custody and visitation when children are involved can quickly escalate the situation to a contested divorce where the court must intervene.

Contested and Uncontested Divorce Cases

In general, divorce can either be uncontested, meaning both spouses agree on every point in their divorce agreement, or contested, which means one or both spouses cannot agree on one or more points in the settlement. Contested divorce cases are usually longer and more expensive than uncontested divorces.

Contested divorces involve the oversight of a judge, and some spouses may need the help of a mediator to reach a mutual agreement. This isn’t a bad thing, as many divorces reach a mutual divorce agreement with the help of an impartial judge. Still, the reality of contested cases is that they typically take longer and are more expensive, so you’ll need to prepare for that.

Our firm understands how difficult divorce can be. Whether you have an uncontested or contested divorce, we have over 20 years of experience in and out of court to put toward your case.

Cases Where Divorce May Take Longer

Military divorces are unique because property division, custody, and visitation are complicated by military-specific rules. These cases become even more complex if a spouse is deployed at the time of filing. Military divorces require a lot of information, time, and patience, which can, understandably, be frustrating. That’s why our firm offers discounts for military service members. We have experience helping military spouses reach a divorce agreement despite their unique circumstances.

Just as military divorce cases have extenuating circumstances that can extend the length of time necessary to reach a divorce settlement, spouses with a high net worth can encounter challenges unique to their situation.

One of the main contributing factors to lengthy divorces for high-earning spouses is property. In most of these cases, property and assets have significant value, making the division of property more contentious. High net worth divorces may also require the help of an appraiser to evaluate the value of the property in question so the court can make a fair judgment about how the asset should be divided.

International property and assets also contribute to the cost and duration of high net worth divorces. As the number of third parties increases, so does the cost and length of the divorce proceedings.

Put Your Divorce Case in Capable Hands

All these factors can change the length of time necessary to settle your divorce. No matter what, the most crucial step you can take to reach an agreement efficiently is to consult an experienced attorney.

The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard has provided legal services to many clients in Harker Heights and the surrounding areas. We have decades of combined experience that helps us understand the variables involved in your case and how to create a strategy to help you solve them. We work with you to research the details of your divorce case, provide personalized legal advice, and walk you through the divorce process every step of the way.

Contact the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard to speak with one of our compassionate attorneys.