Helping Families Build a New Future for Over 20 Years

Divorce happens for many reasons, but one thing is consistent: Divorce is a complicated process. Whether you were married for two years or ten, divorce often brings emotions to the surface as the court quantifies your life together down to the last penny.

You never have to face divorce alone. The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard understands the toll divorce takes on families, which is why we offer compassionate, hands-on legal counsel to provide the guidance you need during this difficult time.

Speak with our Lampasas County divorce attorneys today. Call the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard at (254) 220-4225.

What to Expect During a Texas Divorce

Every state has its own rules and regulations for divorce proceedings, and it is important to be aware of the specific guidelines in your state.

Texas is a no-fault divorce state which means that you do not have to prove your grounds for divorce. The court only needs sufficient evidence that the marriage is insupportable and cannot continue. This is sometimes referred to as irreconcilable differences and allows both parties to progress through the divorce process without accusing each other of causing the separation.

Child custody is a highly contentious part of any divorce involving children. Unfortunately, no custody arrangement results in a perfect 50/50 division of time between parents. Even in joint custody situations, where both parents share custody of their child, there is no guarantee of equal time. The only consistent factor during child custody is that the judge’s decisions are based on the child’s best interests. If the judge feels that one parent or the other is financially or emotionally unfit to have custody, they will pursue another arrangement.

Property division can often be a divisive topic during divorce proceedings as well. In Texas, property falls into one of two categories: communal or separate. Communal property may be a house, car, or other assets you purchased during your marriage or with a joint bank account. Separate property is what you own before marriage or what you bought using individual funds.

Business assets, pensions, and investments are also subject to division during a divorce, which can be incredibly complicated for high net worth cases where assets have tremendous value. Military divorce cases also encounter issues during property division because pensions and military health plans are divisible, but the court has to abide by military regulations.

Spousal maintenance, or alimony, is determined on a case-by-case basis. Judges evaluate the financial status to assess whether either spouse can maintain a standard of living without the support of communal funds. If one spouse requires education and training to get a job to support themselves, the judge may award spousal maintenance to help bridge the gap. Most cases involve rehabilitative support to assist one spouse for a limited period.

Navigating Complex Property Classifications

Lampasas County divorce cases require a thorough understanding of Texas property classification laws that distinguish between community and separate property. 

• Separate property includes assets owned before marriage, gifts received by one spouse during marriage, and inheritances designated for individual ownership. 
• Community property encompasses virtually all assets acquired during marriage, regardless of which spouse earned or purchased them, creating presumptions of equal ownership that courts must evaluate carefully.

Property characterization becomes particularly complex when separate assets appreciate in value during marriage or when marital funds improve separate property. For instance, if one spouse owns a business before marriage but uses community funds to expand operations, the increased value may constitute community property subject to division. 

Similarly, separate property that generates income during marriage may create community property interests requiring careful legal analysis.

Our Lampasas County divorce attorneys work with forensic accountants and business valuation experts to trace asset origins and determine proper classifications. This detailed analysis protects clients from improper property characterization while ensuring accurate valuations for equitable distribution purposes. Thorough documentation and expert testimony often prove essential in high-value cases where property classifications significantly impact final settlements.

Retirement Account Division Strategies

Retirement benefits accumulated during marriage constitute community property requiring specialized division procedures to avoid tax penalties and early withdrawal consequences. Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) provide court-approved mechanisms for dividing employer-sponsored retirement plans, including 401(k) accounts, pension benefits, and profit-sharing plans. These complex documents must comply with both state divorce law and federal retirement plan regulations.

Military retirement benefits present additional challenges due to federal laws governing uniformed services retirement systems. The Uniformed Services Former Spouses Protection Act establishes specific requirements for dividing military retirement pay, including minimum marriage duration requirements and maximum award limitations. Our firm has extensive experience with military retirement divisions and related survivor benefit elections.

Social Security benefits, while not divisible as marital property, may provide important considerations for spousal support determinations and long-term financial planning. Divorced spouses may qualify for benefits based on their former spouse's earnings record under specific circumstances, affecting overall financial settlement strategies.

Child-Related Financial Obligations

Texas child support guidelines establish baseline obligations that courts may modify based on specific circumstances affecting children's needs and parental resources. Standard support calculations consider the paying parent's net monthly income but may require adjustments for children with special needs, extraordinary medical expenses, or educational costs beyond public school requirements.

Courts evaluate several factors when determining appropriate child support amounts:

• Net monthly income from all sources, including wages, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, and investment returns
• Health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket medical expenses for the children
• Childcare costs necessary for employment or education purposes
• Special needs requiring additional financial support, such as therapy, tutoring, or adaptive equipment 
• Educational expenses for private school, college preparation, or extracurricular activities
• Travel costs for visitation when parents live significant distances apart

Child support modifications require substantial changes in circumstances, such as income increases or decreases of twenty percent or more, changes in custody arrangements, or evolving children's needs. Our attorneys assist clients in documenting changed circumstances and presenting compelling modification requests to ensure appropriate support levels.

Protective Orders and Emergency Relief

Domestic violence situations require immediate legal intervention to protect family members from harm during divorce proceedings. Texas law provides expedited procedures for obtaining protective orders that restrict contact, require removal from shared residences, and establish temporary custody arrangements prioritizing safety concerns.

Emergency hearings address urgent matters that cannot wait for regular court scheduling, including child abduction risks, asset dissipation, and threats to family safety. Our Lampasas County divorce attorneys have experience obtaining emergency relief while building comprehensive cases for long-term protection and favorable divorce outcomes.

Comprehensive Legal Support

The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard provides comprehensive divorce representation throughout Lampasas County, addressing complex legal issues while supporting clients through emotional challenges. Our experienced team understands local court procedures, judicial preferences, and community resources that benefit families during divorce transitions.

Contact our Lampasas County divorce attorneys at 254-781-4222 or online to schedule your confidential and free consultation and learn how our dedicated legal team can protect your interests throughout the divorce process.

Compassionate Legal Counsel

Whether you are considering filing for divorce or you are ready to file, the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard is here to help guide you through the process. We have helped clients in Lampasas County and the surrounding areas reach a suitable divorce agreement for both parties. Our team has experience in and out of court, so you can be sure that no matter how your case develops, we have the knowledge you need to move forward.

Get the legal counsel you deserve at the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard.