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QUESTIONS ABOUT DIVORCE - INFORMATION TO START A TEXAS DIVORCE - DOCUMENTS

The helpful and informative divorce documents below can be reviewed for information purposes.  These documents are commonly used when starting your divorce.  These documents are CONFIDENTIAL and should not to be disclosed to any person other than the divorce attorney you intend to retain.  Not all of the documents below are used in every divorce case. If you intend to schedule an office consultation with Divorce Lawyer Thomas P Finley, it would be helpful to download the information below that we discuss in our intial telephone conversation may be necessary in your case and have it with you at the scheduled appointment.   Contact me for a consultation on your divorce.  
 
Client Questionnaire - Divorce - This divorce questionnaire is given by divorce lawyer Thomas P Finley to prospective clients in order to gather the basic information about the parties to the divorce.
 
Client Questionnaire - Parent Child Relationship Suit - This parent-child questionnaire is given to prospective clients that when the divorce matter will have issues regarding children of the marriage.  It is also given in matters concerning modification of prior family court orders and any time children are in issue.
 
Schedule of Marital Property - This information is needed in most divorce cases to prepare the case.
 
Instructions for Preparation of Inventory and Appraisment - This is a general instruction guide to assist in the preparation of the confidential Inventory and Appraisement below.
 
Inventory and Appraisment sample - This confidential document is sometimes required in divorce cases and should not be disclosed to any person other than your attorney.  This informative document will prepare clients for the information that will need to be gathered in some divorce cases.
 
Financial Information Sheet - This financial information sheet is sometimes used by both parties at temporary hearings before the Court. 
 
 

MORE DIVORCE INFORMATION - WHAT TO EXPECT IN A TEXAS FAMILY LAW COURT

The Texas Family Code contains most of the laws which govern divorces and other family law matters in the State of Texas.
 
An informative resource for Texas Divorce Laws can be reviewed at www.divorcesource.com.   
 
A helpful article of “What to Expect in Texas Family Law Court” can also be of assistance to clients in understanding the process. Below are some common questions and divorce information from the article for Texas divorce clients.

QUESTIONS ABOUT DIVORCE - FREQUENLTY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) - TEXAS DIVORCE

Navigating your way through a divorce case can be confusing during what is often a stressful and emotional time in your life. Not knowing what to expect can make it even harder. This information is intended to help you understand what you can expect when you are thinking about divorcing or when you are getting a divorce.

CAN I GET A LEGAL SEPARATION?
No. Although a legal separation is available and sometimes required in many states, there is no legal separation in Texas. If you need to protect your interests regarding your property or your children while separated from your spouse, you must file for divorce and obtain temporary orders.

WHAT IF ONE SPOUSE DOES NOT WANT THE DIVORCE?
In Texas, if one spouse wants to be divorced, the divorce will be granted. Texas is a no-fault divorce state, meaning fault does not have to be proven to obtain a divorce.

WHAT IF I AM IN A COMMON LAW MARRIAGE?
Common law marriage is when there has been no marriage license issued, but the law considers you married. Texas will find that you have lived together in the State of Texas, had a proven intent to be married, and held yourselves out to others as husband and wife. There is no minimum time that you have to live together.

IF I AM COMMON LAW MARRIED, DO I NEED TO GET DIVORCED?
If you have been separated more than two years, then you do not need a divorce. Once you have been separated two years, the law presumes you were not common law married. If you have property to divide, you may want to get divorced so the divorce court can divide the property.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET DIVORCED?
Texas has a minimum 60-day waiting period before a divorce can be finalized. The 60-days start running at the time the original petition for divorce is filed with the court. However, most divorces take longer than 60 days. The time frame for divorce may take anywhere from three to six months if it is agreed, and up to several years in a highly contested matter. The more agreements reached between you and your spouse as to the terms of the divorce, the sooner your divorce will be final.

WHAT IS CONSIDERED COMMUNITY PROPERTY AND COMMUNITY DEBT?
Texas is a “community property” state. In other words, all property owned by married persons on the dissolution of a marriage, whether by death or divorce, is presumed to be the property of both the husband and the wife. Likewise, any debts incurred during the marriage are presumed to the community debt. This means that the debts are presumed to the owed by both the husband and the wife. Like community property, community debt must also be divided in a divorce. However, since the creditor is not a party to the divorce action, the creditor may still pursue either spouse for collection of the debt, as creditors are not bound by the terms of the divorce decree and the divorce court’s allocation of responsibility for joint debts. If the divorce court orders a spouse to pay a community debt and he or she does not, the other spouse may file an enforcement action against the non-paying spouse.

WHAT IS CONSIDERED SEPARATE PROPERTY?
Generally speaking, separate property is property acquired before a marriage and property acquired during marriage through gift or inheritance, or with funds that qualify as separate property. Also, married persons may agree in a properly drafted written agreement to “partition” community property, in which case that property becomes each spouse’s separate property.

HOW DOES THE COURT DIVIDE THE PROPERTY AND DEBTS?

Community property and community debts are supposed to be divided in a manner the court “deems just and right, having due regard for the rights of each party and any children of the marriage.”

This does not mean that community property or debt must necessarily be equally divided. The judge dividing community property and debt may consider many factors, such as the size of your and your spouse’s separate estates and any fault causing the divorce.

WHAT HAPPENS AT THE TRIAL?
A trial is the final court hearing. All issues that are in disagreement are presented to a judge or jury that will make a final decision. The issues are presented through testimony of the parties, witnesses, and evidence presented to the court.

WHEN IS MY DIVORCE OFFICIALLY FINAL?
Your divorce is considered final on the specific day the judge signs the final decree of divorce.

HOW SOON CAN I REMARRY?
Since one of the parties may appeal a divorce within 30 days after the date it was final, you must wait a minimum of 30 days after your divorce decree is signed by the judge before you may get married again to someone else.

(The foregoing information was published in Texas Bar Journal – September 2007 and taken from “What To Expect in Texas Family Law Court,” printed by the State Bar of Texas as a public service of the Texas Young Lawyers Association)


Free Initial Telephone Consultation with Dallas Divorce Lawyer Thomas Finley at (214) 720-0101 is encouraged to discuss your matter and the need to schedule an appointment. You may also CONTACT MEthrough this web site and I will respond to discuss your matter as soon as possible. 

Thomas Finley is a Lawyer-Attorney serving clients in Dallas, North Dallas, Preston Hollow, University Park, Highland Park, Plano, Frisco, Carrollton, Richardson, Duncanville, De Soto, Cedar Hill, Lancaster, Midlothian, Garland, Rockwall, Allen, McKinney, and both Dallas County and Collin County.

 

The following forms are printer friendly and can be brought with you at the time of your scheduled appointment. To view the forms you must have Adobe Acrobat Viewer, which can be downloaded here: 

get adobe reader
FINANCIAL INFORMATION SHEET
INVENTORY AND APPRAISMENT
NEW CLIENT INTERVIEW SHEET

This website does not create an attorney-client relationship or constitute legal advice.
NOTICE:  Communication with me through social media such as Facebook, Google +, Linkedin, and Twitter does not create an attorney-client relationship and no communication should be construed as legal advice in those media forums.  Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent via any social media platform available on this website.  For consultation on a legal matter please carefully review the CONTACT ME  page on this web site.   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
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