If you are facing a divorce, there is nothing easy about it, and the financial and emotional strains are impossible to deny. For some couples, however, there is a less challenging path forward that can help take the edge off.
No matter what path your divorce takes, the most important factor when in your case is protecting your financial and parental rights from the outset. For that, you need the skilled legal guidance of a Killeen divorce attorney in your corner.
A No-Fault, Uncontested Divorce
Most divorces in Texas—by a wide margin—are no-fault and uncontested.
No-Fault Divorce
A no-fault divorce in Texas means that neither spouse is blaming the other for the end of the marriage. Unlike fault-based divorces—which require proving grounds like cruelty or adultery and typically involve a court battle—no-fault divorces are based on "insupportability," which is similar to irreconcilable differences. These divorces are generally less contentious and are often resolved out of court.
Uncontested Divorce
An uncontested divorce is one in which both parties agree on all the key terms, such as property division, child custody, and support. This kind of divorce usually takes less time, costs less, and causes less emotional turmoil.
However, even an uncontested divorce can turn hostile, especially when high assets or complex custody issues are involved. If one spouse decides to complicate matters, court intervention may become necessary.
Discuss your options for a no-fault, uncontested divorce with an experienced Killeen divorce attorney.
How to Make Divorce Easier
While there are no guarantees when it comes to something as emotionally fraught as divorce, there are steps you can take to help you turn down the heat on your case and get to the other side with less turmoil.
Set Ground Rules
Agreeing on ground rules early can pave the way for a more streamlined divorce. When both parties share a commitment to resolving the case amicably, the process can be far smoother.
If you're unsure how to begin these conversations, contact a divorce attorney in Killeen for strategic guidance.
Keep Communication Open
Open communication helps avoid misunderstandings that can derail your divorce. If in-person conversations are too emotionally charged, consider using email or text to keep things civil. If communication becomes impossible, working solely through attorneys may be necessary, though it may be more expensive.
For help managing communications, reach out to a Killeen divorce lawyer, and consider tips from the blog post, “How to Keep Your Texas Divorce Uncontested.”
Work Closely with Your Attorney
Your attorney helps you prioritize your goals and strategize how to achieve them. Being clear on your priorities makes negotiation easier and helps you avoid unnecessary disputes.
The sooner you consult with a lawyer, the better prepared you'll be to protect your rights. Call our Killeen office today for legal guidance throughout your case.
Be Open to Possibility
Being flexible with your divorce goals can prevent disappointment and help avoid drawn-out litigation. Texas divorce courts often apply a standard approach, but you and your spouse can agree to creative solutions that better suit your family’s unique needs. Knowing what a judge might decide if your case went to trial can give you valuable perspective during negotiations.
Explore out-of-court solutions with a family law attorney in Killeen who can help tailor your strategy to your family's needs.
Understanding the Divorce Terms
In order to ease the obstacles that can bog down your divorce, you need to have a solid understanding of the divorce terms that apply.
Child Custody Arrangements
Child custody is often one of the most emotionally charged aspects of divorce. Texas courts make custody decisions based on what is in the best interests of the child, which generally means that both parents will continue to play significant roles in their lives.
When you and your spouse work together to establish custody terms, you maintain more control over how these arrangements look for your family. Let an experienced Killeen custody lawyer help you advocate for a parenting plan that protects your bond with your children.
Splitting Parenting Time
Parenting time is either divided relatively equally or assigned to a primary custodial parent, with the other parent following a visitation schedule. Either way, the goal is to ensure that the children have consistent access to both parents, which promotes stability and emotional well-being.
Retaining Decision-Making Authority
When you and your spouse agree on custody arrangements outside of court, you retain more authority over parenting decisions. This includes flexibility around holidays, travel, and routines—terms that are often lost when the court imposes a standard order.
Legal Custody
Legal custody refers to the authority to make major decisions about the children’s welfare, including healthcare, education, religious upbringing, and extracurricular activities. Most parents share legal custody unless there is a compelling reason to do otherwise. You can choose to share all decisions equally or divide them by category, such as one parent handling medical decisions while the other oversees education.
Child Support
Texas uses clear guidelines to calculate child support. The parent with the higher income typically pays a percentage of his or her income based on the number of shared children:
20% for one child
25% for two children
30% for three children
35% for four children
40% for five children
At least 40% for six or more children
Ensure your support arrangement is fair by consulting with a Texas divorce lawyer.
Property Division
Texas follows equitable distribution laws, meaning assets are divided fairly, not necessarily equally. Marital assets include everything acquired during the marriage. Separate property—owned before marriage or inherited—is not typically divided. Misconduct can influence how assets are split, even in no-fault divorces.
Alimony
Known as spousal maintenance in Texas, alimony is only awarded when one spouse cannot meet basic needs and the other has the ability to provide support. It is not common and is generally reserved for specific circumstances.
Protect your financial future by consulting with a Killeen divorce attorney today.
Contact an Experienced Divorce Lawyer Today
Brett Pritchard at the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard has been helping clients in Killeen for more than 20 years. He is a trusted attorney who can guide you through your divorce while protecting your parental and financial rights.
Call us today at (254) 781-4222 or contact us online to schedule your FREE consultation.