Dallas Divorce Lawyer Information
There is a common statistic that states half of all marriages in the United States will end in divorce. If you find yourself preparing to divorce your spouse, or your spouse is preparing to divorce you, it is a wise idea to arm yourself with as much information you can get. In the world of divorce, as well as any other legal procedure that can profoundly affect your life, you need an experienced professional in your corner to help you navigate the challenges of the divorce process. You need someone who has received years of training in family law and who knows all the ins and outs of the Dallas legal system by your side. This is where retaining your Dallas divorce lawyer comes in.
Your Dallas divorce lawyer will be your greatest ally in the potentially challenging marital dissolution process. You may have a very simple divorce, where you and your spouse both agree to amicably divorce and have no custody or property issues to dispute. In such a case, the costs and time spent will be minimal compared to a case that has custody or property battles at the forefront. Whether your divorce is simple or complicated, you need a Dallas divorce lawyer to obtain it.
A brief summary of the basic divorce process in Texas:
1. The divorce process begins with the filing of the first petition, called the “Original Petition for Divorce.” This document could be very short or very long, depending on your individual circumstances including children and property issues. If you want to review this petition before it is delivered to your spouse and filed, please let your Dallas divorce lawyer know as soon as possible.
2. The petition gets filed and your case is assigned to a court. Each county has one or more courts to handle family law. In Dallas there happen to be seven family law courts. Courts are chosen randomly. You or your attorney are not able to request a particular court.
3. Next comes the discovery phase. Discovery is where one spouse learns what applies to the divorce suit. This may include methods such as depositions, requests for documents and records and interrogations. Your Dallas divorce lawyer will tell you everything you need to know regarding the discovery process and what your role will be.
4. Tax issues: The matter of state and federal income taxes will be addressed. It is extremely probable that both you and your spouse will be jointly responsible for any income taxes owed on any return that was filed jointly. Your Dallas divorce lawyer can explain all the details of this if you have any questions.
5. Alimony and Child Support: Depending on your individual circumstances relating to finances and children, you may or may not be dealing with alimony and child support issues at this point. At this time the court will consider the needs of the requesting spouse and/or children, as well as the ability of the other spouse to pay, and how much.
6. Changing Your Name: At this point you can request a name change if you are a woman who wishes to resume use of her maiden surname. Your Dallas divorce lawyer can prepare all the paperwork for you and guide you through this process.
Choosing the Dallas Divorce Lawyer that is Right for You:
When choosing an attorney to represent you in court, there are several factors to consider. Do you want to work with a small firm, or a large one? There are benefits and drawbacks to each type of law firm. A smaller firm is likely to be more economically affordable than a larger one. You may feel like you receive more personalized care at a small firm because they handle a smaller volume of clients than a big firm. On the other hand, a large firm may have a more impressive track record and more specialists on hand. It's a matter of personal preference.
When beginning your search for a Dallas divorce lawyer, references from trusted colleagues or family members can often be your best bet. When someone you trust refers a lawyer or firm to you, you have some idea what you are getting. If you're unable to find an attorney via word of mouth, the Internet is a massive resource where you can find pages and pages of law firm websites with at least one Dallas divorce lawyer on staff, if not many. The Yellow Pages are also a good and easily available resource.
On your first consultation with a Dallas divorce lawyer, it is a good idea to bring any documentation you feel is relevant to your case. A notebook in which to jot relevant notes is a good idea as well. You will want to summarize the circumstances of your impending divorce and make sure you get answers to these three questions (at minimum): How long will it take? How much will it cost? What should I do next?
During this consultation you will be able to get an idea of whether or not you feel comfortable working with this particular attorney or firm. It's a good idea to interview several Dallas divorce lawyers or firms and compare notes. Who is the most affordable? Who do you feel most comfortable speaking with? Who has the most experience?
Divorce is a fairly common occurence in today's society but never an easy one. However some of the stress and strain of the dissolution of your marriage can be lightened if you have retained a competent Dallas divorce lawyer. The right legal representation can get you through your divorce efficiently and quickly so that you can get on with the rest of your life.