Skilled Divorce Lawyer Serving New Braunfels

Helping Clients Achieve Favorable Results in Challenging Family Law Cases

Going through a divorce in Texas can be complicated and confusing. You may worry about what legal steps to take while managing your emotions and navigating complex decisions about your finances and the care of your children. The good news is you don’t have to go through this challenging situation alone. At South TX Family Law we understand that you are longing for peace and freedom and for this to all be over so you can move on with your life.

When you hire divorce lawyers like those at South TX Family Law, you can rest assured that you’ll have a compassionate, skilled New Braunfels divorce lawyer who will explain your options and protect your interests. The cost of attorney’s fees can be far less in the long run than the cost of a poorly written or incomplete final decree. A New Braunfels or San Antonio divorce attorney can represent your best interests based on decades of legal experience in various family law matters. If you reside anywhere in Comal County, your case will be heard at the courthouse in New Braunfels, and we have decades of experience in New Braunfels courts.

At South TX Family Law, we have helped countless clients like you get favorable results in complex legal matters. Whether you seek child support orders that match your current or future needs, help navigating child custody disputes, assistance with an uncontested divorce, or representation when dividing the marital property, we’ll protect your rights through our excellent legal counsel and representation.

Call our New Braunfels divorce lawyers immediately to learn more about your rights and options during the New Braunfels, TX divorce process. We’ll give you complete protection under Texas Law so you can move on with your life and start the bright future you deserve. You can reach us by calling 210-775-0353.

What Are the Main Steps of the Divorce Process in Texas?

Filing for divorce in Texas requires observing several legal processes. One of the best things you can do before getting started is to hire a New Braunfels divorce attorney like Attorney Laura Heard. Laura D. Heard has written a best-selling book on Divorce and Estate Planning in Texas, and her senior associate Hector Cortes wrote many of the forms used by lawyers all over Texas. Your lawyer will prepare you for what is coming and ensure every legal step is carried out correctly to avoid disputes and complications.

Some of the main steps of a Texas divorce include:

Fulfilling residency requirements – To qualify for divorce in New Braunfels, either you or your spouse must meet Texas residency requirements
Determining grounds for divorce – While Texas is a no-fault state, it can be helpful to determine whether there are grounds for divorce, such as domestic abuse, neglect, abandonment, criminal conviction, and so on. If your spouse is at fault, it can make it easier to get the favorable results you’re seeking
Filing and serving – You’ll need to submit proper paperwork to county officials and then make sure your spouse is served the divorce papers, such as by certified mail or with a process server, unless your spouse signs a waiver of service
Waiting period – Texas couples must submit to a waiting period of at least 60 days after filing for divorce
Discovery process – Moving on with the divorce involves negotiating with your spouse or their attorney to find solutions to matters such as child custody, child support, spousal maintenance, asset division, and more. You may take this time to gather evidence to bring before the judge if mediation fails. You will most likely be asked to prepare an inventory of all your assets and list of debts which is going to be used at trial and in preparing the final orders
Settlement negotiations – Once the facts have been gathered, there are usually several offers back and forth. If no agreement is reached, then the case will be scheduled for mediation, and if mediation fails, then scheduled for trial
Final orders – When the judge issues the final decree of divorce, they’ll also provide legally binding court orders for any matters that were not settled in negotiations

What Family Law Issues Typically Arise During a New Braunfels, TX Divorce?

Uncontested divorces, where couples agree on every aspect of the divorce, are rare. It is not enough just to agree that you should get divorced. Uncontested means that you are both in agreement on every issue and are willing to sign a final order on those specific terms. Usually, one or more issues are contested, meaning the couple disputes what the results should be. In these cases, hiring a knowledgeable New Braunfels divorce lawyer to represent your interests, advise you on your options, and seek a favorable outcome on your behalf is crucial.

Some issues that commonly arise during Texas divorce cases are:

Division of marital assets – Dividing the marital property is often one of the most hotly contested issues. The couple must determine what assets are communal property rather than separate property. Communal property is then divided as fairly as possible, which may or may not result in equal asset division
Child custody – With children involved, a divorce can be particularly messy. The parents usually fight for their rights to maintain a relationship with the child, and Texas judges often award joint custody to keep both parents in the child’s life. However, sole custody may be awarded in some cases. Even in cases of joint custody, there can be a wide variety of different plans for the possession periods with the children. Many pages of your final decree of divorce will specify the plan for parental rights, possession periods, health insurance, dental insurance and child support for the children
Child support – Child support is commonly awarded to a parent who is the primary conservator of the children or who earns less than the other parent
Spousal maintenance – Also commonly known as alimony in other states, spousal support is often awarded in temporary orders during divorce and occasionally awarded as spousal maintenance post divorce. Spousal maintenance provides extra income for divorced spouses who are not ready to provide for themselves. If awarded, it is usually only for a short time period and always requires proof of the minimum basic needs. Some factors that go into spousal support decisions include the person’s education level, mental and physical health, the length of the marriage, the standard of living during the marriage, and the education and skills necessary for the person to enter the workforce

What Options Do Couples Have During Texas Custody Disputes?

Under Texas law, divorcing couples typically have the opportunity to resolve child custody matters without court interference. Many couples wonder what they should do when they disagree on how to handle child custody matters after their legal separation or dissolution of marriage. Bringing such matters before Texas courts is one way to resolve these issues. However, finding solutions through peaceful negotiations or mediation can avoid lasting grudges and expensive court proceedings.

Using mediation for your child custody issue can be highly effective. You may choose to meet with your lawyer and your spouse along with their lawyer. In other cases, you may not want to see your spouse face-to-face. Mediation can still be accomplished by having the lawyers meet to negotiate a solution without you or your spouse present in the same room. The spouses can be kept in separate rooms even in Zoom negotiations, but the mediation is not successful unless both parties sign a mediated settlement agreement.

Some potential solutions for child custody disputes include using shared custody, also known as a joint conservatorship. As long as both parents are willing and able to care for the child, they have a right to stay a part of the child’s life. One parent may be named the primary conservator while the other person retains visitation rights. Many factors go into choosing the primary conservator, including financial stability, mental health, willingness, proximity to the child’s school and activities, and the child’s preference if they are old enough.

Please contact our law firm immediately if you need help getting the best possible results in your child custody issue. We have decades of experience protecting parental rights, including father’s rights. We will fight for you no matter what obstacles arise, so call today!

What Other Family Law Matters Does Your New Braunfels Divorce Attorney Handle?

At South TX Family Law, our attorneys have over 50 years of combined experience handling various family law matters in New Braunfels courts. Our dedication and knowledge allow us to offer excellent legal advice on various matters involving more than just divorce.

We can assist you with your divorce action and much more, including:

Adoption – We help couples expand their families through adoption as we handle the legal nuances of the complex adoption process and ensure the best possible outcome on behalf of our clients
Probate – Our legal team helps family members navigate the probate process to settle the estate of their deceased loved one, with or without a will. We can assist with estate administration, trust administration, distributing assets, inheritance disputes, and more
Probate litigation – If your family experiences a dispute that requires litigation, we’ll stand by your side to protect your interests and seek the most favorable outcome possible
Estate planning – We can help you prepare for the future by crafting a unique estate plan that protects your family no matter what comes in the future. Our legal expertise applies to wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and much more
Guardianship – Whether you are a father, mother, grandparent, or other individual seeking guardianship of a child, we’ll assist you by providing excellent legal counsel and representation for your unique circumstances and advise you on all your options
Military divorce – Military divorce involves detailed legal procedures that some lawyers aren’t familiar with. We employ lawyers who are veterans. We’ll watch out for your best interests in a military divorce

Should You Hire Our Divorce Lawyer Serving New Braunfels?

Whether you are facing a contested divorce, uncontested divorce, or another legal matter in New Braunfels, TX, you need excellent divorce lawyers by your side who will fight for your interests and provide personalized legal counsel for your unique situation.

When you hire our legal team, you’ll get the advice and representation you need based on over five decades of combined experience. In our decades of practicing law, we’ve just about seen it all. However, we know that your case is unique and that you need results that match your wishes and goals. We promise to listen carefully to your story to match our legal services to your needs.

Don’t go it alone or hire an inexperienced lawyer in your family law matter. Contact our New Braunfels divorce attorney for representation from a divorce lawyer with honed legal skills, compassion, and dedication to results. We know the local rules and the procedures, and we are committed to excellence. Call us now at 210-775-0353 to learn more about how we can help you!