Houston, Texas Divorce Lawyers Serving Harris County, Texas, and the Surrounding Areas
If you’re facing a divorce in Houston, Texas, it’s essential to have compassionate and caring legal representation. The outcomes of these cases can have a profound and lasting impact on you and your family.
At Stange Law Firm, our practice is entirely focused on divorce and domestic relations. This focus gives our attorneys the ability to effectively guide you through your case with care and compassion. Whether your divorce requires courtroom litigation or resolution through alternative dispute methods, our firm has the resources and dedicated team to support you.
From our office in Houston, Texas, located in Harris County, we serve residents of Houston and the surrounding areas, offering assistance with a wide range of domestic relations matters, including:
- Houston, Texas Domestic Litigation Attorneys in Harris County: We are here to assist with your domestic relations needs in the Houston, Texas area.
- Houston, Texas Child Support Attorneys in Harris County: If you’re in Harris County and seeking information about financial support for children, visit this page for details. You can also access our Texas support calculator.
- Houston, Texas Child Custody Lawyers in Harris County: For those in need of parenting time representation in or around Houston, TX, our attorneys are ready to help.
- Houston, Texas Paternity Attorneys in Harris County: Unmarried parents in Houston or nearby areas can contact our attorneys for custody and paternity matters.
- Houston, Texas Fathers’ Rights Lawyers: Fathers seeking divorce or domestic relations representation near Harris County, Texas, can speak with our caring attorneys.
- Houston, Texas Estate Planning Lawyers: Need help with estate planning, including wills, trusts, or probate? Our team is here to assist.
- Houston, Texas Adoption Lawyers in Harris County: If you’re exploring adoption options in Houston, TX, our attorneys can guide you through the process.
- Houston, Texas Modification Lawyers: Need assistance modifying a custody or support order? Our attorneys in Texas can provide the help you need.
- Houston, Texas Guardianship Attorneys: For help establishing or revoking guardianship in Harris County, you can find more information by visiting this link.
- Houston, Texas Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreement Lawyers: These critical documents require precise drafting. Visit this page for additional details.
The attorneys at Stange Law Firm understand that your divorce in Houston, Texas may be one of the most emotionally challenging and difficult periods of your life. That’s why our Houston divorce lawyers are prepared to advocate on your behalf, whether your divorce is uncontested or contested. Whether your case can be resolved outside of court or proceeds to trial, the divorce attorneys at Stange Law Firm are here to help you.
You can also find out more information about Harris County, TX here:
- Government Website for Harris County, Texas: Want to learn more about the government in Harris County, TX? Click this link for additional details.
- Harris County, Texas Court Information: To learn about the rules, procedures, and other general information on the Harris County Court, click this link for more details.
- Harris County Civil Courthouse: Click here for a Google Maps link with directions to the Harris County Civil Courthouse.
- Houston, Texas Children’s Advocacy Centers: Seeking help for a child dealing with sexual or physical abuse in Harris County, Texas? Click here for valuable resources and to locate a nearby advocacy center.
COMMON DIVORCE QUESTIONS IN TEXAS
What Are the Grounds for Divorce in Texas?
It’s important to understand that Texas allows for “no-fault divorce,” which is based on the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. The petitioner is not required to assign blame to the other spouse or provide evidence of any misconduct. Although at-fault evidence is not required for divorce, it can affect alimony, property division, and child support. Grounds and factors that could come into play for a divorce in Texas include:
- Insupportability
- Separation
- Institutionalization
- Cruelty
- Adultery
- Felony conviction
- Abandonment
Residency Requirements for Divorce & Waiting Period in Houston, Texas
To file for divorce in Texas, you must have lived in the state for at least six months and be a resident of the county where the case is being filed for at least 90 days prior to filing.
There is a required 60-day waiting period from the time the divorce petition is originally filed before the court can finalize the divorce. This period gives both parties time to reconsider the decision and allows for the chance of reconciliation. However, complications or contested issues such as child custody or property division may cause the process to take longer.
Name of Court and Title of Action/Parties in Houston, Texas
Divorce cases in Texas are generally filed in the District Court. The process begins with a document called the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, and the final step is the Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage, which officially ends the marriage. The person filing for divorce is known as the Petitioner, while the other spouse is the Respondent.
Legal Separation in Houston, Texas
Texas law does not recognize legal separation. However, there are options for couples to consider that can provide similar results to what you may think of when considering a legal separation.
Temporary orders, protective orders, suits affecting the parent-child relationship, or separation agreements can accomplish many of the same objectives that people seek in a legal separation. These options serve a similar purpose by addressing visitation, financial support, and property arrangements without finalizing a divorce, or while the divorce process is still in progress.
Spousal Support and Alimony in Harris County, Texas
Texas law allows spouses to request alimony during divorce proceedings under certain conditions. In Texas courts, “spousal support” and “alimony” have varying meanings. Alimony refers to regular monthly payments from one spouse to another, while spousal support, or spousal maintenance, refers to temporary financial assistance that lasts until the receiving spouse can financially be self-supporting. The receiving spouse must meet specific eligibility requirements to be awarded spousal support.
Distribution of Property and Debt in Houston, Texas
Texas is a “community property” state, which means that the court will divide any marital property and debt in a divorce equally between the parties. Texas considers community property any property that is obtained by either party during the marriage. Separate property and debt (that was owned or acquired before marriage, or gifts, inheritances, heirlooms, monetary injury settlements, etc. acquired during marriage) is not divided as part of the divorce.
Speaking to our divorce attorneys can help you understand your rights and options regarding property and debt division in Houston, Texas, and ensure that your rights and best interests are put at the forefront.
Child Custody in Harris County, TX
Child custody is frequently one of the most emotional and difficult aspects of any divorce case in Houston. In Texas, child custody is referred to as “conservatorship.” This means that the parents are generally considered joint managing conservators and share the right to make important decisions for their children. The children will reside primarily with the primary managing conservator (even if it is only 51% of the time), and the other parent will have visitation rights.
In some situations, only one parent obtains conservatorship of the children. This could be due to allegations against the other parent of domestic violence, substance or alcohol abuse, child abuse/neglect, or absence/abandonment. In this situation, the other parent is named the possessory conservator and is still granted parental rights, however, they will not have the final say over any decisions regarding the children. In other scenarios, a third party may receive sole conservatorship over the children.
Child Support in Houston, Texas
Texas law expects that both parents will provide financially for their children with or without a court order in place. Texas courts may order one parent to pay child support to the other parent, and this obligation begins when the judge signs the order. In some cases, a judge may also order a parent to pay child support retroactively, also referred to as “back” child support. Child support in Texas is calculated through the use of formulas and specific guidelines. Generally, the support amounts are calculated based on a percentage of the obligor’s (possessory conservator or non-custodial parent paying child support) income after deducting:
- Social Security taxes
- Federal income tax (based on the tax rate for a single person claiming one personal exemption and the standard deductions)
- State income tax
- Union dues (if being withheld)
- Expenses for health insurance coverage for obligor’s children (if payments are being withheld)
Name Change in Harris County, Texas
A spouse can request a name change during a divorce by including it in the divorce petition, waiver, or response. The name change will be included in the divorce decree in such cases. When changing a name as part of a divorce decree in Texas, the individual may only revert to the name they had immediately before the marriage. A separate court order is required if a spouse would like to change to a different name or make changes to any minor children’s names.
Contact Our Houston, Texas Divorce Attorneys Today to Schedule a Consultation in Harris County, TX
If you’re dealing with a divorce in the Houston, Texas area, our dedicated team of attorneys at our Houston divorce office is here to assist. At Stange Law Firm, we understand the importance of family and are committed to helping you rebuild your life.
Harris County (Houston), Texas Office (346-466-4901) | 12 Greenway Plaza, Suite 1147, Houston, Texas 77046
