Houston Divorce Attorneys

To file for divorce in Houston, Texas, both parties must meet specific residency requirements. This includes being a Texas resident for at least six months and a resident of Harris County for at least 90 days before filing. The Harris County divorce filing fee is $320 for divorces involving children and $293 for those without. These fees solely cover the initial filing and do not include attorney fees or any other associated costs.

Typically, finalizing a divorce in Houston can take anywhere from several months to over a year on average. The timeline can fluctuate significantly depending on variables like its complexity and whether it’s contested or not. A “contested” divorce entails disagreements regarding child custody, visitation, property division, and spousal support, while an “agreed” divorce means both spouses have come to a mutual agreement on everything. It’s advisable to seek legal counsel in contested divorces to navigate the complexities involved. 

Texas also recognizes both “no-fault” and “fault” grounds for divorce. “No-fault” grounds include insupportability, which is an irreparable breakdown of the marriage due to discord or conflict that cannot be resolved. “Fault” grounds may involve cruelty, adultery, felony conviction, abandonment, or living apart for at least three years.

Property division in a Houston divorce typically follows Texas’s community property laws, resulting in an equal division of marital assets and debts. However, negotiations may also consider factors such as each spouse’s earning capacity, contributions to the marriage, and the well-being of any children involved to achieve a “just and right” division. Child custody and visitation arrangements are tailored to the child’s best interests, including joint or sole managing conservatorships and various visitation schedules. A skilled attorney can assist in handling these decisions and advocating for arrangements that prioritize the child’s welfare.

It’s also important to note that divorce does not have to become the acrimonious court battle it’s often depicted as. Mediation provides a constructive method for attaining mutually agreeable solutions during divorce proceedings. It facilitates collaboration between both parties and a neutral mediator to respectfully address matters such as property division, child custody, and financial support. Typically, mediation yields more amicable and cost-effective outcomes than litigation.