The Divorce Process – The Basics
A divorce is unquestionably one of life’s most stressful and traumatic events. As you embark on this process, you will have a lot of questions. When do I file? What happens after I file? Can those text messages that I regretted sending be used against me in the litigation? (or the photos I sent) Who will get the house? And countless other questions. The vast majority of divorces are settled out of court. In many cases, the process is amicable. However, I have seen many divorces begin with both parties seemingly committed to a smooth resolution only to see these good intentions collapse under the emotional baggage that accompanies most break-ups–anger, greed, bitterness, jealousy, etc. The uncertainty of divorce litigation is, in part, why it is critical to hire the right Dallas divorce attorney. You need an advocate prepared to wear any number of hats, from a facilitator who can guide a low-conflict divorce to a speedy resolution to an aggressive divorce litigator who is prepared to fight for your rights when a quick settlement is not possible.
Below is a basic description of how the Texas divorce process unfolds procedurally – the steps and requirements for filing for divorce–and the stages of the litigation process generally. Substantive issues relating to child custody and property division are critical areas that have their own dedicated pages on this site. To contact our office for a free consultation about your specific case, call us at (214) 347-4259 or CLICK HERE to fill out our free case consultation form.
INITIATING A DIVORCE SUIT
In Texas, a divorce suit begins when one spouse files a petition for divorce. The spouse filing the petition is referred to as the petitioner and the opposing spouse is referred to as the respondent. To maintain a divorce suit in Texas, certain residency requirements must be satisfied. At the time the suit is filed, either the petitioner or the respondent must have been a Texas resident for the preceding six-month period and a resident of the county in which the suit is filed for the preceding 90-day period. Once the respondent is served with the petition, he or she will have approximately twenty days to file a written answer to the petition. A divorce suit must be on file for at least 60 days before the court may grant a divorce.
GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE
Texas is a “no-fault” divorce state. This means that a divorce may be granted without regard to which spouse caused the breakdown of the marriage. There are several no-fault grounds that can be alleged in a divorce action. The most common no-fault ground is in-supportability. To assert this ground, a party simply needs to allege that the “marriage has become insupportable because of discord or conflict of personalities that destroys the legitimate ends of the marriage relationship and prevents any reasonable expectation of reconciliation.” In addition to no-fault grounds, a petitioner (or the respondent if he or she files a counter-petition for divorce) may seek a divorce on fault grounds. Available fault grounds include cruelty, adultery, abandonment, and felony conviction and imprisonment of a spouse. Fault and no-fault grounds can be alleged together in the same petition. Proving a fault ground can impact how the court decides other issues in the divorce, including child custody and property division. For example, if you can prove that your spouse committed adultery or abused you during the marriage, the court can award you a larger share of the community property. I am frequently asked whether a spouse’s conduct during a period of “separation” is relevant once a party files for divorce. The answer is “yes.” Texas does not recognize legal separation. You and your spouse are married until a final decree of divorce is entered by a court. This means, for example, that being romantically involved with someone other than your spouse while “separated” constitutes adultery under Texas law and can be used against you in a future divorce proceeding.
TEMPORARY ORDERS
Once the petition and answer are filed, the next stage in the divorce process is the entry of temporary orders. Temporary orders can happen relatively quickly–within a week of when the divorce petition is filed. Temporary orders in family law litigation are orders issued by the court following a hearing that govern custody and support of the children, the preservation and protection of the parties’ property, and the parties’ interaction with each other while the divorce is pending. Given that divorce litigation can last for months, if not years, this is a critical phase in the divorce process. For example, temporary orders can prohibit the parties from hiding or selling assets, raiding the checking account, shutting off the utilities, or removing the children from the county where the divorce is pending. If you’re the less monied spouse–perhaps a stay-at-home mom–and don’t have access to your spouse’s assets to pay an attorney, the court can order the monied spouse to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees while the divorce is pending. As any family law attorney will tell you, temporary orders are important because temporary orders have a tendency to become final orders, meaning that the court’s final orders with respect to property, child support, child custody, and other issues often mirror the temporary orders.
A temporary orders hearing is not necessary in every case. However, because of the gravity of the stakes in a temporary orders hearing–the results of which can impact the entire trajectory of your case–hiring a Dallas divorce attorney with strong courtroom skills is vital. Surprisingly, many divorce attorneys are fearful of the courtroom and try desperately to avoid it. These attorneys will push you to reach a negotiated settlement on the eve of your hearing on terms that might not be in your best interest. Aside from being intimidated by the courtroom, some divorce lawyers run high-volume, assembly-line practices and are incentivized to finalize your case as quickly as possible. As a result, they don’t have the time or inclination to properly prepare for contested hearings where they might actually be required to make arguments, present evidence, and cross-examine witnesses.
I do not run that kind of practice. I approach every case with the expectation that it will involve a contested hearing and prepare accordingly.
Relief issued by a court at a temporary orders hearing can include the following:
- Requiring a sworn inventory and appraisement of all real and personal property owned or claimed by the parties, and a list of all debts and liabilities owed by the parties;
- Requiring temporary support of either spouse;
- Requiring the payment of attorney’s fees and expenses;
- Awarding one spouse exclusive occupancy of the residence during the pendency of the case;
- Prohibiting one or both parties from spending funds beyond what the court determines to be for reasonable and necessary living expenses;
- Awarding one spouse exclusive control of a party’s usual business or occupation.
In addition to the foregoing relief, a court may issue temporary orders restraining the parties from destroying the parties’ tangible property, communicating by telephone or in writing in a profane manner, making threats of bodily injury, among other relief. If child custody is an issue in the divorce, the court will enter temporary orders regarding custody of the children, child support, and visitation during the pendency of the case. The above list of potential orders is not exclusive. The court has broad discretion to enter any order necessary to protect the parties, property, and children during the litigation process.
A temporary orders hearing is like a mini-trial. Each party will be permitted to testify and put on evidence, including witnesses, regarding the matters at issue. In a child custody case, for example, a party may call family members, friends, neighbors, teachers, etc. to testify regarding a party’s parenting abilities and relationship with the children. The key distinction between a temporary orders hearing and a final trial is the element of surprise. Because a temporary orders hearing can occur within days after the divorce petition is filed, the parties haven’t had an opportunity to conduct discovery and determine what evidence exists to support the other side’s case. As a result, a temporary orders hearing can be a trial by ambush. You don’t know what witnesses your spouse will bring to the hearing, much less what these people might say about your character and fitness as a parent. You don’t know what text messages, e-mails or other evidence might be used to impeach your credibility.
DISCOVERY
After the initial divorce petition and answer are filed, discovery is the next important stage in the litigation process. Discovery is the process whereby both sides, using various discovery tools such as document requests and depositions, gather and exchange relevant information about the case. And in a divorce case, particularly if children are involved, just about everything pertaining to your life is relevant–phone records, e-mails, text messages, sexual history, drug use, photographs, and social media postings (Facebook, Twitter) are all fair game. Discovery is also used to identify the parties’ assets and liabilities—tax returns and bank records are obvious discovery targets in this context.
Conducting proper discovery is invasive and costly. But it is essential to gathering the information necessary to properly evaluate the merits of the parties’ respective claims and defenses, minimizing the potential for surprises at trial, and determining whether settlement is appropriate. When used strategically, discovery can help a party achieve critical bargaining leverage and bring about a quick settlement. I have seen parties capitulate and settle early on in a case rather than submit to the cost and inconvenience of producing reams of sensitive documents or sitting for a six hour deposition.
SETTLEMENT, MEDIATION AND FINAL TRIAL
At some point during the litigation process, the parties will typically explore the possibility of settlement. In fact, the vast majority of divorce cases are settled before a final trial. If the parties can reach agreement on the issues, the attorneys can prepare a written settlement agreement that is presented to the court for incorporation in the final divorce decree. The parties may also elect to participate in mediation to resolve their case. Mediation is a forum in which an impartial person—the mediator—assists the parties in coming to an agreement that resolves some or all of the issues in dispute. In some Texas counties, mediation is mandatory before a final trial.
If the parties cannot resolve their issues through mediation, the next step is a final trial before a judge or jury. In a divorce suit, either party may demand a jury trial. A jury can decide custody of the children as well as the characterization and valuation of property. Whether a jury trial is preferable to a bench trial (where the judge decides the outcome) necessarily depends on the facts of your case and the amount of money you’re willing to spend.
If you are contemplating a divorce, or have been served with a divorce petition, CLICK HERE to contact Divorce Lawyer, Family Law – Divorce lawyer – Nathan Spok by filling out our free case consultation form, or call us at (214) 347-2223to arrange a free consultation today.
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Divorce Attorney: The Divorce Process
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