Texas Divorce: You Have Options
If you are facing a divorce, you are very likely confused – and you may be utterly at a loss regarding how best to move forward. While it is true that your divorce terms will significantly affect your post-divorce life, it is also essential to know that you have options and that you can help guide the path your divorce will take.
The Terms of Your Divorce
In order to finalize your divorce, you and your soon-to-be-ex will need to agree to terms (or have them decided by the court) related to all of the following that apply:
The division of your marital property (called community property in Texas)
Your child custody arrangements
Child support
Alimony (called spousal maintenance in Texas)
Your Basic Divorce Options
When it comes to divorce, there are several paths forward that avoid litigating the matter before a judge, including:
A Mutually Acceptable Agreement – If you and your divorcing spouse are able to land on mutually acceptable divorce terms on your own (with your respective divorce attorneys’ guidance), the judge in your case will almost certainly accept them. Further, your attorneys can negotiate between themselves on behalf of your respective best interests.
Mediation – If you and your divorcing spouse have reached an impasse on one or more terms, mediation may help. At mediation, a professional mediator who is a neutral third party will help you and your divorcing spouse (along with your respective divorce attorneys) approach the issue logically and attempt to find a middle ground. Mediation helps you keep the matter between yourselves and to keep the decision-making process in your own hands, but the terms are only binding if you both sign off on them. In other words, if mediation does not move you to a compromise, it is unlikely to advance the divorce process (which can make it an expensive exercise).
Collaborative Divorce – A collaborative divorce offers a different approach to divorce. If you and your divorcing spouse are both willing to move forward with a collaborative divorce, which is generally considered to be easier on everyone involved (especially your children), you, your spouse, your respective divorce attorneys, and your jointly chosen settlement team of professionals (chosen to address the issues you face) will proceed in a confidential process in which you collaborate on finding divorce terms that work for you. Doing this allows you to avoid the cost and stress of depositions, interrogatories, hearings, and more and will enable you to set your own pace moving forward. A collaborative divorce can serve as an excellent exercise for cementing a stronger co-parenting relationship and can help you save time and legal costs.
Work Closely with a Dedicated Killeen Divorce Attorney
Divorce is not a matter of one size fits all. Brett Pritchard at The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard in Killeen, Texas, is an accomplished divorce attorney who understands exactly how important it is for you to negotiate fair terms, and he has the experience and compassion to help. Your case is important, so please do not hesitate to contact us online or call us at 254-501-4040 for more information today.