Divorce Process
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Every divorce case is as unique as the marriage that preceded it. How the process unfolds can vary significantly depending on whether both parties agree to the divorce terms, if there are joint assets to divide up, or if children are involved. Regardless, Most divorces in Sugar Land, TX, share the same basic structure and requirements.
The initial phase is called discovery. This is when your attorney gathers relevant information, drafts a petition for divorce, and starts building an argument for your case. They will also review your assets, liabilities, and other financial factors to determine how property should be allocated. If witnesses are needed, this is the time to decide who will testify and anticipate who opposing counsel might call on.
In many instances, divorcing couples will settle before their case goes to trial. This means both spouses have agreed on the division of assets and child custody without going to court. At this point, couples who work with specialized family law attorneys can streamline the remainder of the process. An uncontested divorce is the simplest and most cost-effective route, allowing both individuals to move forward with minimal conflict.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that the couple resolved everything immediately but were able to reach an acceptable compromise in time. Even with an uncontested divorce, there’s still significant work to be done. Both you and your spouse must have separate legal representation, no matter how willing you are to cooperate. It is vital to hire your own Sugar Land divorce attorney to ensure your interests are fully protected.
Contested divorces are not uncommon, and they are often more time-consuming. The case must go to a Texas court when the spouses cannot agree on key issues. Disputes over complicated assets or custody are usually why divorces become contested.
Most of the time, a judge will deliver the final ruling and issue the divorce decree. However, in rare cases, divorces can go to a jury trial. If your divorce is contested, having an experienced divorce attorney is crucial. They can provide knowledgeable, time-tested advice, helping you avoid emotion-based decisions you might regret later.
In certain situations, a marriage can be annulled, meaning it was never valid. Annulments typically occur if one spouse was under 18 at the time of marriage, could not consent, was already married, or concealed a previous divorce. Although extremely rare, annulments can erase a marriage’s legal existence without an official divorce being necessary.
