The idea of the divorce process can be overwhelming. This is where you take a breath, and begin to familiarize yourself with a Texas do-it-yourself divorce and some basics about Texas family law such as the legal process, dividing property, and creating a parenting plan. This is not legal advice, but rather an informational site intended to provide a context for the decisions you will make as you negotiate the terms of your customized divorce.
One of the greatest attributes we can encourage in our clients is the importance of thinking strategically. Each of the Probate and Family Court justices, opposing counsel, and the majority of our clients hear us emphasize the application of cost-benefit analysis in all divorce matters.
Tools for Texas Divorce Law
In a divorce, it is easy to get caught up in emotion and make rash decisions. Emotional decision-making can turn into a costly mistake; after all, to spend an hour arguing over a child’s nightstand could cost in excess of $500 in legal fees!
Negotiated Divorce provides you with information about how Texas divorce law treats the different parts of your divorce. View the Legal Process for a summary of the steps you must take to be divorced in Texas. Under the Property Division, you will find an overview of Texas property law as it relates to divorce.
The contents of your Parenting Plan will be explained under the Child-related Issues. News articles also contain many co-parenting after divorce information and tips.
If you feel that you know enough to get started now with your Negotiated Divorce, sign up today.
How to Prepare for Divorce in Texas
Once you begin the divorce process, you need a plan. Preparation is essential. You’ll want to investigate and begin certain steps such as pulling your credit report, closing joint bank accounts and opening individual ones, asking questions such as ” who gets the house,” guarding your health coverage, and assessing where you stand relative to each of the divorce financial issues.
Whether you are the one initiating the divorce, or you have been served by your spouse, one fact remains the same. Throughout the divorce process, it benefits both spouses to treat this as a business transaction. Remember both of you have total control over whether the total cost of your divorce is a few thousand dollars or ten to twenty thousand.
Divorce questions to ask
Anytime you and your spouse are getting into a heated discussion relating to any aspect of your divorce, stop and ask yourself these four questions:
- How much is this issue worth to me in today’s dollars?
- Am I making a big deal out of this only to upset my spouse (even if it isn’t that important?)
- How likely is it that I will end-up prevailing on this issue if I take it to a judge?
- What will it cost to argue this point?