One of the first questions a lot of our clients ask us is – how long will it take for my divorce to be finalized? Many of them have heard horror stories from their friends and families. Others have gone online and read way too much about divorce on social media. The best thing to do is to call our office and schedule a time to meet with one of our divorce lawyers in the Woodlands.
Here, we’ll discuss the factors that help determine how long it will take for you to get divorced. We will also explain why certain divorces are resolved a lot faster than others. If you have questions about your own divorce case or are ready to file for divorce, call our office.
Sit down with one of our divorce lawyers in the Woodlands and have them review your case. Once they have an idea of what your divorce will entail, they’ll have a better idea of how long it will take. They will also have a much better idea of how much it will cost. Since these are the two reasons so many people put off getting divorced, it makes sense for us to discuss them here.
Every Divorce Case is Different
It is important to understand that every divorce case is different. Some couples are only married for a few years before they file for divorce. Some have children while others have nothing more than a dog or cat. The same thing is true when it comes to debts and assets.
If the two of you have been together a long time, there’s a good chance you have a lot of property in both of your names. This can make your divorce a lot more complicated than you may think. The best way to know what to expect with your divorce case is to meet with a seasoned The Woodlands, TX divorce lawyer.
Do You and Your Spouse Have Children?
One of the most difficult things for our divorce lawyers in The Woodlands to resolve is child custody matters. The same is true for child support. In most of the cases we handle, both parents want to be the primary, custodial parent. Unless one parent is willing to give up the chance to be the custodial parent, there’s a good chance your divorce will drag along for months without much movement.
It doesn’t matter how hard your divorce lawyer works, if you and your spouse refuse to see reason, there’s not much they can do. This is why we always say it’s a good idea to discuss this sort of thing with your spouse when the two of you decide to part ways. If you can both agree to shared custody, it will make the divorce process a lot easier for both you and your attorney.
Will Your Woodlands Divorce Lawyer Have to Negotiate a Division of Assets?
The other thing that can make your divorce take a lot longer is the equitable distribution of marital assets. In Texas, as in every other state, your marital settlement agreement must outline how the two of you will split up your assets. The same is true for any marital debts you share. Your final divorce agreement must outline how these debts and assets will be divided.
Otherwise, the judge will force you to go to mediation to resolve these things. If mediation doesn’t work, then your The Woodlands, TX divorce lawyer will have to battle it out with your spouse’s lawyer at trial. Not only will this make your case take a lot longer, but it will also make it a lot more expensive.
Are You and Your Soon-to-Be Ex-Spouse Get Along Well Enough to Agree on the Terms of Your Divorce?
We always tell our clients that if they can maintain a decent relationship with their spouse during the divorce, it will work out best for everybody involved. When push comes to show, couples who are on speaking terms are able to resolve the terms of their divorce a lot faster than couples who hate each other.
For example, when it comes to the marital home, the two of you need to discuss what will happen with it. Are you going to sell it and split the proceeds? Or is one spouse going to keep the house so your children can stay there until they graduate?
If the two of you can have a rational discussion about this, it will make things a lot easier. The same thing is true for other issues such as child custody, alimony, and a division of property.
The Sooner You Meet With a Divorce Lawyer in The Woodlands, the Sooner You Can Move Forward
If you have been thinking about getting divorced for a while, it’s probably time you talk to an experienced The Woodlands, TX divorce lawyer. The longer you wait to file for divorce, the longer it will take for your divorce to become final. For most people, getting a divorce is the most traumatic experience of their lives. You may be putting it off because, deep down, you hope that your marriage can be saved.
Or you may be afraid to get divorced because you’ve heard that it costs a year’s salary. The truth is that every divorce is different. You have no idea how expensive it’ll be to get divorced until you meet with a divorce lawyer. Once they have a chance to see how complicated your divorce will be, they’ll have a much better idea of how long it will take. They will also have a better idea of how much it’ll cost.
We suggest that you call and talk to one of our Woodlands divorce lawyers sooner rather than later. It can take a couple of months to get your divorce complaint filed. If you don’t have all of your information readily available, it could take you some time to put everything together.
If you and your spouse have no children, your divorce will probably be a lot easier than most. The same is true if you don’t have any major assets. When you call our office, one of our receptionists can set up a date and time for you to come into the office.