Divorce is difficult enough without having to find a divorce lawyer who is the right fit for your case. Most people have no experience when it comes to searching for an attorney who practices family law, so searching for someone to take on your case can seem daunting.
Getting divorced is not a decision that people take lightly, and rightly so. Hiring a divorce attorney should not be taken lightly, either. If you are looking for a Texas divorce lawyer, here are some things you should know.
Some divorce cases are more complicated than others. If you know that negotiations are going to be drawn out, you should consider hiring an attorney who has extensive experience with negotiations. Likewise, if you think that your spouse is going to stonewall and refuse to compromise, you should find a divorce lawyer who has experience with litigation.
Here are some other things to think about:
It’s critical to remember that certain attorneys may act in their own self-interest when selling you their services. They may push you toward a service or expertise that they have that you know you do not need. In such cases, you are your best advocate—which is why it is so important to know what you need before hiring an attorney.
It’s understandable that you want to find a divorce lawyer as fast as possible, but taking your time will be worth it. The first attorney you speak to may not be the best to handle your case.
Do your research. If you find someone you think might be a good fit, check out their online presence. Look at their website to learn more about them. Read reviews from other clients.
Speak to your friends and family for recommendations. Ask people you trust if they know anyone. Once you identify some options, set up a consultation with each candidate. Come prepared to ask them about their experience as a divorce attorney.
On a side note, I am happy to answer any questions you have about my experience before we start working together. Contact me to set up a meeting so we can chat.
You don’t have to become friends with your divorce attorney, but they should genuinely care about you and your case. It’s not always possible to tell who is in it for the money, but here are a few red flags to avoid:
Lawyers.com conducted a survey and found that the average Texas divorce costs $15,600. A survey by Lawyers.com also found that Texas’ average divorce duration is 12.5 months.
However, it isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. Every case is unique, and each case may take more or less time. The cost of a divorce can also be affected by the hourly rate charged at a local law firm. For example, an attorney in Bexar county may charge a different hourly fee than an attorney from San Antonio.
To get an idea about the costs of each attorney in your case, it is a good idea if you are thinking about divorce. One may seem more similar than the other, while another may have a higher or lower price. Whatever the case, it is useful to have options.
It takes approximately 60 days to finalize a Texas divorce. Once the judge has pronounced the divorce in open court and signed the decree, the divorce will be final.
Let’s say the spouses refuse to reach a settlement. The divorce then moves on to a courtroom trial. This may take anywhere from six months to one and a half years, or even longer. Texas divorce costs and complexity are based on the degree of conflict and complexity involved.
At the start of the divorce process, the court will assume that both spouses jointly own all their assets and property. Let’s say that one spouse has separate property. They will need to prove that they do have separate property by tracing it using “Clear and Convincing Evidence”
Separate property is a property that only one spouse has inherited or received as a gift. You might have inherited money or property from your grandparents or mother.
The court will review everything and determine the best way to divide community property among the two parties. It’s a 50/50 split.
In rare cases, such as unequal earning or fault, it may affect property division. A lawyer can help you better understand Texas divorce costs.
Are you looking for an experienced divorce attorney? Talk to me today so that we can have a conversation to see if we are a good fit.