Divorce Lawyers Waco, TX
Fighting for an Amicable End to Your Divorce
Divorce is never an easy thing. Yet, once the process starts, it is crucial to have legal representation every step of the way to ensure that your rights are always protected. Our divorce lawyers in Waco, TX will do everything we can get reach an amicable solution without going to court but should trial become necessary, we will fight diligently to get you the results that are in your best interest.
Contact Our McLennan County Firm
At Blanchard & Thomas, we value our clients more than we value their payments. We treat each client as we would want to be treated in a similar situation and work with them to protect their futures and their families.
Contact us online or call (866) 251-0624 for more information on setting up a consultation.
Texas Divorce Residency Requirements
To file for divorce in Texas, you must first meet a residency requirement. The requirement stipulates the following:
- Either you or your spouse must have been a Texas resident for a least six months before filing
- Either you or your spouse must have lived in the county where the divorce is being filed for at least 90 days prior to filing
If you meet these requirements, then you can proceed to file for either a fault or a no-fault divorce. If you attempt to file for divorce without meeting these requirements, your case may not be accepted or it may be dismissed.
What Are the Grounds for Divorce in Texas?
Texas is a “no-fault” divorce state. This means that divorce can be filed on the basis that there is a conflict of personalities that would prevent expectations of reconciliation. However, if one spouse is faulted for the marriage failing, that may be taken into consideration when determining how property is divided.
The grounds for a “fault divorce” include:
- Cruel treatment
- Adultery
- Abandonment
- Incarceration for more than one year
- Separation for at least three years
- Confinement in a mental institution for at least three years
How Long Does It Take to Finalize a Divorce?
After the petition is filed, the divorce cannot be finalized for at least 60 days. Once the judge pronounces that the divorce is finalized in court and signs the decree, the divorce is officially complete. If the spouses are not in agreement about the terms of the divorce, the process can take months or longer to finalize.
Can a Judge Deny a Divorce in Texas?
No, because Texas is a no-fault divorce state, a judge cannot deny a spouse or couple a divorce. If only one spouse wants the divorce, then the judge must take the steps to finalize it. There are not any specific requirements that need to be met to permit the divorce.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Divorce if Both Parties Agree in Texas?
It is impossible to say exactly how much a divorce in Texas will cost if both parties agree. An uncontested divorce will likely be much cheaper than a divorce that is litigated in the courts because the divorce should be faster with less legal fees. However, the cost will still vary in each case. A couple can at least expect to pay $250-$300 for the divorce filing fee in Texas.
Where Do I File for Divorce in Texas?
In Texas, you will file for divorce at the District Court in your county. Either spouse can file for divorce in their county’s District Court, but they must ensure that the other spouse is served with legal notice for the divorce.
Additional FAQs for a Texas Divorce
Does Texas offer annulments?
Yes, it is possible to get an annulment in Texas if you meet the required grounds for annulment. Grounds for annulment include: one of the parties is underage, one of the parties was under the influence when the marriage occurred, one of the parties is impotent, or one of the parties is mentally incapacitated.
What do I do if my spouse will not respond to my attempts to serve divorce papers?
If your spouse is uncooperative, then you can ask the court to serve the spouse via certified mail or publication. Service by publication is when a notice of service is put in the local newspaper. The waiting period for this process is a bit longer. If all else fails, and your spouse still does not answer the divorce petition, then a default judgement can take place.
Do I have to continue living in Texas after the divorce is finalized?
If there are not any children involved in the divorce, then you are free to move out-of-state. However, if you have primary possession, then you might be restricted to live in Texas and even required to live in certain counties.
Schedule a Consultation Today
Whether you are facing a contested or an uncontested divorce, it’s equally important to have competent legal counsel on your side. What you don't know can hurt you for years to come. We have years of experience serving clients across Texas, from simple uncontested divorces to those with multi-million-dollar estates. You don't have to fight this on your own. Get help and support from divorce lawyers in Waco, TX today.
Contact us online today or call (866) 251-0624 to schedule an appointment.
The Blanchard & Thomas “Clients’ Bill of Rights”
We Want to Earn the Right to Be Your Attorneys From Now on,-
We serve at the clients’ pleasure. If for any reason whatsoever the client decides he/she is better off with a different attorney or law firm, we will respectfully and professionally do whatever we can to get the new attorney or law firm up to speed and ready to handle the case. We vow to never object to a client’s request to seek alternative counsel, and we promise to return 100% of any unearned advance payments.
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We play to win. While we cannot guarantee outcomes in any case, we always do our best to see that our clients come out on top. We want our clients to know without question that their success matters to us more than their payments.
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We play hard, we play fast, and we stick to the game plan. We work with every client to develop a strategy most likely to bring about their success. We work hard to ensure the strategy gives our client every advantage possible and their very best chance at success. We then implement that strategy as quickly and efficiently as possible.
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We make a commitment to communication. We begin and end many of our days communicating with clients. Our clients can count on us to return phone calls and/or e-mail within 24 hours except in emergencies or during announced absences from the office. We want our clients to always know what we know and vice-versa, and overcome them.
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While the attorney client relationship may not always result in friendship, we believe it should always result in mutual respect. We zealously advocate on our clients’ behalf whether we agree with their choices or not. We do not judge our client’s choices; we simply attempt to help them learn from them, live with them, and overcome them.
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We build our relationships upon a foundation of total honesty. Absolute honesty allows the client and the attorney to develop trust that will be absolutely critical to success in and out of the courtroom.