Today we talked with Erik Larson of The Larson Law Office, PLLC, in Houston, Texas about the divorce process and the process of hiring the lawyer who will be the best divorce lawyer for you in handling your specific divorce case.
When deciding on hiring a lawyer, if the attorney you select shares and supports your goals and strategies for the case, that is usually a good indicator that the divorce lawyer is the best choice for you.
Interview Questions
Q: What are the common reasons for divorce that you handle as a Houston divorce lawyer?
There are many reasons for why couples divorce. Many times it is due to financial stressors, such as job losses, job transfers, differences in spending and savings habits between the spouses.
When children arrive, many issues that were not discussed by the couple before marriage arise and the parents realize that they have very different ideas about raising children and parenting which can often cause long-term conflict and stress the marital relationship. Sometimes it is due to issues like infidelity, domestic violence, mental cruelty, or abandonment by a spouse.
Q: As a divorce lawyer in Houston, what’s the most common mistake you see people make in divorces that you wish you could stop?
The most common mistake in divorce cases I see is that people often do not act quickly enough and early enough to protect their interests. Many times people are overwhelmed by the deteriorating marital relationship and are in denial of what they know is happening.
Taking the first step in hiring a divorce lawyer can appear to be overwhelming and even frightening, especially in turbulent emotional times, but, in my opinion, the earlier people act to get in front of the situation and to get legal advice before taking action, the better off they will typically be.
Q: What should people expect if there are children involved in a divorce?
The goal should always be to protect and insulate children from the divorce process. This means not involving the children in adult problems, not running down the other parent to the child, not asking the child to spy on the other parent during periods of possession and reporting back to that parent upon return of the child.
Child support, medical support, rights, duties, and possession and access schedules will be put in place, either by agreement by the parties, agreement in mediation, or by the court if no agreement is reached.
But what parents should keep in mind is that what damages children is not the divorce process, it is not living in separate homes, rather it is the level of interpersonal conflict between the parents particularly when the parents involve the children in that conflict.
Q: What made you want to be a divorce/custody lawyer?
Throughout my life, like many people, I witnessed close friends and family members go through the divorce process. Those experiences made a tremendous impact on me, particularly witnessing people take courageous actions to protect their children from harmful environments, and to improve their situations in life.
I also became a lawyer to help people. Being a divorce attorney gives me the ability to help people on a daily basis navigate what is probably one of the most difficult processes of their adult lives. Although divorce can often be a stressful process, this is also the beginning of a new, and often better and more productive, stage in peoples’ lives.
Q: Do you believe everyone needs a lawyer for their divorce?
The vast majority of people would benefit from having a divorce lawyer help them resolve their case. The emotional component of divorce cases make it extremely difficult for most people to navigate resolving property and children issues, and Texas law can be complex in the area of child conservatorship and property division.
Banks and other financial institutions will want to see a divorce decree in making lending decisions in the future and a divorce lawyer can help make sure that your divorce decree is in order to avoid problems dealing with banks in the future.
There can also be complicated issues regarding reimbursement of separate and community property, real estate issues and 401(k) divisions that a lawyer can significantly assist with resolving and structuring.
Q: How do you generally see divorce cases resolve?
The vast majority of divorce cases we handle are resolved through a settlement process called mediation. We are big proponents of mediation because it gets clients through the divorce process more quickly and less expensively than a traditional litigation process and trial where a judge or jury decides everything.
Mediation also allows the parties to keep control of the process rather than going to a trial where nothing is within the parties’ control. We are very picky about the mediators we pick to mediate our cases because the choice of who the mediator is can make the difference between success and failure of mediation.
Q: What advice or tips do you have for people going through a divorce?
One of the most important things to try to do is also one of the most difficult, which is to manage your own emotions. People who can step back a bit emotionally and focus more on how they want their property divided, and, if there are children, what kind of rights, duties and possession they want, rather than how their spouse has wronged them, will likely get off to a better start in the divorce process.
Q: What makes you different from other divorce lawyers in Houston?
The feedback we get is that many divorce law firms are full of junior lawyers, paralegals, secretaries and other staff that seem almost designed to keep clients away from the primary lawyer who the client has hired. That is not the case with our law firm. We do not have junior lawyers who are often assigned at other firms to “cover” a hearing, mediation or trial.
When you hire Erik Larson and Diana Larson, you will get either Erik or Diana – whether it is on the initial phone call as a potential client of our firm, in an initial meeting, on the phone, email or in person meetings throughout your case, in mediation, in hearings, or at trial. If you hire us, you will get us. Period.
Have Questions? Contact Us
Our Houston divorce attorneys are ready to answer all of your questions and provide you with the honest, straightforward advice and aggressive legal representation you may need. Free legal consultations are available. Contact us online or call us at 713-221-9088.
Dissolution of Marriage in Texas
/in Divorce Law /by Erik LarsonThere is a lot to think about when you are considering leaving your spouse, and the process can feel overwhelming.
Here, we will discuss the basics of marriage dissolution in Texas so you can decide if dissolution is right for you.
Dissolution vs. Divorce: What’s the Difference?
The dissolution of a marriage means that the marriage has legally ended. In Texas, dissolution of marriage is no different than divorce. The Texas Family Code uses the terms dissolution and divorce interchangeably. Both a dissolution and a divorce begin when one spouse files a petition with the court. This petition is most commonly called a petition for divorce, but it can also be called a petition for dissolution.
In some states, however, there is a difference between dissolution vs. divorce. Certain states consider a marriage dissolved when a couple reaches a complete agreement on the terms of the dissolution. Once the couple has reached an agreement on division of property, alimony, child custody, etc., they can jointly file a petition for dissolution.
In Texas, when both spouses agree on the terms for ending their marriage, they can file an uncontested divorce. In an uncontested divorce, a couple presents their written divorce agreement to a judge at a hearing. The judge then finalizes the divorce if the agreement is reasonable. Texas courts refer to both uncontested and contested divorce proceedings as marriage dissolution.
How Do You Get a Marriage Dissolution Texas?
The marriage dissolution process in Texas involves several steps.
Talk to Your Spouse
If you and your spouse are on decent terms, you should talk to your spouse about a dissolution before taking any action through the court. Dissolving a marriage is a major change. It may mark the end of a partially happy time for you or your spouse, so this conversation may need to take place over a period of time. If you and your spouse agree on the terms of the dissolution, the rest of the process will be much easier.
Filing a Petition
To formally start a marriage dissolution in Texas, one spouse—the petitioner—must file a petition for divorce and other divorce forms with the court. The court clerk will then assign a hearing date. The petition states the reason the petitioner is seeking dissolution. It also outlines the petitioning spouse’s desired terms for the divorce, including how they want marital property to be divided.
In some cases, the petition for dissolution may state the divorce terms that both spouses agreed upon together. If you and your spouse do not completely agree on the terms of your dissolution, it is a good idea for each of you to hire an experienced divorce attorney. When both sides are represented by an attorney, the dissolution process can be much smoother and less stressful.
Even if you agree on all terms, it is a good idea to have an attorney look over your proposed agreement before you sign it. This can help you protect your interests.
Legal Notice
After filing, the petitioning spouse must give the other spouse—the respondent—legal notice of the dissolution proceeding. This notice must be in writing and is usually handed to the respondent spouse in person, either by the petitioner or by another adult. Legal notice of a dissolution includes a copy of any divorce papers that the petitioning spouse filed with the court.
If the respondent spouse disagrees with any of the dissolution terms in these papers, they can file an answer with the court. The respondent’s answer will state the divorce terms that the respondent wants.
Hearings and Mediation
When the petitioning spouse files for dissolution, the court schedules a hearing. What happens next depends mostly on whether both spouses agree on the dissolution terms. If the original petition for divorce included terms to which both parties agreed, a judge will most likely finalize the dissolution at the original scheduled hearing.
If the spouses disagree over one or more terms, they must engage in mediation. Mediation is a process where a neutral third party tries to help the couple reach an agreement. If each spouse has an attorney, the attorneys participate in the mediation process as well.
If the couple cannot reach a settlement through mediation, the court will schedule a trial. At trial, each spouse presents evidence that supports their position in the disagreement. A judge will determine the terms of the dissolution after both parties present their evidence and arguments.
When Is a Dissolution Final?
In Texas, your marriage dissolution is final when a judge signs the decree of divorce in court. If your spouse contested your dissolution, this may happen at the conclusion of trial. If your spouse did not contest the dissolution, the judge may sign a decree at the hearing that reflects the requests in your petition.
Texas law states that a judge must wait at least 60 days after a petition for divorce has been filed before signing a decree of divorce. This 60-day window is called a cooling-off period. The cooling-off period theoretically gives you and your spouse a chance to resolve your differences before your divorce becomes final. Even if you and your spouse agree on everything, it will take at least two months for your marriage to be legally dissolved.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me Dissolve My Marriage?
An experienced family law attorney can make sure you comply with all court requirements for marriage dissolution in Texas. Your attorney can make sure you give your spouse proper legal notice. In addition, it is particularly important to hire an attorney if your spouse contests the dissolution proceeding. An attorney can help you negotiate the terms of your marriage dissolution with your spouse.
The Larson Law Office can help reduce your stress during your marriage dissolution. By offering personal, responsive client service, The Larson Law Office will make sure that you are in experienced and capable hands throughout your dissolution proceeding. Contact The Larson Law Office today to speak with a family law attorney.
H Texas Magazine Selects Larsons for 2020 Houston Top Family Lawyers List
/in Uncategorized /by Erik LarsonCongratulations to Firm partners Diana Larson and Erik Larson for each having again been named to H Texas Magazine’s annual list of Houston Top Family Lawyers for 2020.
In its July 2020 issue, H Texas Magazine states that it compiles the list of Top Lawyers in Houston based on “nominations from clients and peers as well as rigorous background checks.”
To contact Diana or Erik about retaining them to represent you in your divorce or child custody case, contact them at (713) 221-9088.
Child Custody Laws in Texas for Unmarried Parents
/in Child Custody Law /by Erik LarsonIf you are unmarried in Texas and seeking child custody, the process can be difficult.
This is because unmarried parents must take extra steps to prove a child’s paternity.
Who Has Legal Custody of a Child When Parents Are Unmarried in Texas?
Laws on child custody in Texas for not married parents dictate that the mother has automatic custody of the child, both legally and physically, unless the father has legally established his paternity. Even if the father’s name is on the child’s birth certificate, they have very limited rights over the child.
Unmarried Mothers’ Rights in Texas
In certain situations, an unmarried mother may have more rights than a married mother under child custody laws in Texas for unmarried parents. If the father’s paternity is not legally established, the mother can decide if and when their child visits the father.
Unmarried mothers also have the right to make all decisions for the child. They may even move to another state with their child without notifying the father.
However, if the father has not received legal recognition, then the mother cannot collect child support from him.
Unmarried Fathers’ Rights in Texas
Unmarried fathers’ rights in Texas depend on whether they have received legal recognition as the child’s father. If they have, then their rights are the same as those of a married father. If not, their parental rights will not be recognized.
To have any rights over their child, an unmarried father must first legally establish his paternity. This requires more than having his name on the birth certificate. A person can establish paternity either through an acknowledgment of paternity or a paternity suit.
Child custody laws in Texas for unmarried couples require that an acknowledgment of paternity form:
If there is a presumed father of the child, they must sign a denial of paternity. This might happen in cases where the mother’s husband is not the biological father.
If either parent refuses to sign the acknowledgment of paternity, then the other parent can establish paternity by filing a paternity suit. If the parties dispute paternity, the court may order genetic testing to resolve the dispute.
Statute of Limitations
If there is a presumed father, then anyone seeking to challenge his paternity must do so within four years of the child’s birth unless:
If there is no presumed father, then there is no time limit on when an unmarried father can file a paternity suit in Texas. In fact, they can seek to establish paternity even if the child is an adult.
Conservatorship for Unmarried Parents
Once a father establishes paternity, he may seek conservatorship of the child on the same terms as any married father. A court may name him a joint managing conservator, the sole managing conservator, or a possessory conservator.
Joint managing conservatorship is when both parents have equal legal authority over decisions regarding the child. This includes decisions regarding education, activities, religious teachings, and medical treatment.
Sole managing conservatorship is when one parent has exclusive custody of the child, including complete legal authority. Under this type of conservatorship, the other parent usually has possessory conservatorship, which means they have visitation rights but no authority to make decisions regarding the child. In some cases, supervised possession may be necessary to protect the child.
Contact an Experienced Child Custody Attorney in Texas
If you have any questions about child custody laws in Texas for unmarried parents or are in the middle of a custody dispute, contact the Larson Law Office today. We understand that all parents want what is best for their child and how important it is to set them up for success. For a free consultation, please give us a call at 713-221-9088.
Annulment in Texas | Next Steps
/in Divorce Law /by Erik LarsonThere are only a few circumstances in which a couple can annul a marriage in Texas.
However, an annulment might be your best option depending on the details surrounding your marriage.
Overview of an Annulment
Unlike a divorce, an annulment is a legal ruling that a marriage was never valid. However, Texas law requires a spouse to show grounds for filing an annulment. Grounds for an annulment in Texas include:
If you can prove any of these grounds, you may be eligible for an annulment in Texas.
How to Get an Annulment in Texas
There are several steps you and your lawyer must take to file for an annulment in Texas. Before you file, either you or your spouse must have lived in Texas for at least six consecutive months.
First, you must petition the court for an annulment. You need to file your petition in the county where you or your spouse resides. The petition must name you and your spouse, list your children, and state when you stopped living together. You must also list any property that needs dividing.
Next, you need to notify your spouse of the filed annulment. To do this, you can ask a sheriff or process server to serve your spouse with a court summons. Make sure to do this as soon as possible after filing for your annulment. If you don’t know where your spouse is, your attorney will ask the court for the option to post a notice in the newspaper.
Finally, you need to go to court and present your argument for annulment. Usually, this is only presented in front of a judge, but it can be presented in front of a jury in uncommon cases. If you win your case, the court will ask you to complete a decree of annulment and give it to the judge.
How Long Do You Have to Annul a Marriage?
In most cases, you may file for an annulment in Texas as long as both spouses are alive. However, if any of the following apply to you, there is a statute of limitations:
In addition, you cannot file for a marriage annulment in Texas if you continued to live with your spouse after discovering their offensive conduct.
What Happens When I Get an Annulment in Texas?
When a judge signs your decree of annulment in Texas, your marriage is declared void. This means that you can legally say that you were never married. However, the judge usually decides issues regarding child custody, visitation, alimony, and property division during the annulment process in court.
What Is the Cost?
The cost of a marriage annulment in Texas ranges from the hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars depending on the circumstances. For example, if your spouse tries to fight your annulment, you might need to hire a lawyer to represent you in court.
Contact an Experienced Texas Family Law Attorney Today
Filing for a marriage annulment in Texas is a complex process that often makes it difficult for troubled spouses to get the outcome they deserve. At Larson Law Office, our Texas family law attorneys know the ins and outs of annulment in Texas and will help you every step of the way. To set up a free consultation, give us a call at 713-221-9088.
Navigating Child Custody Laws in Texas
/in Child Custody Law /by Erik LarsonUnfortunately, even when parents try their best to insulate their children from the conflict, the divorce process can create tremendous turmoil and parents need to take special care to ensure that the divorce process does not negatively affect the children.
At the Larson Law Office, we understand that it’s best to solve custody disputes as soon as possible for the sake of your children.
Our family law attorneys know how to navigate child custody laws in Texas and are committed to helping you reach a quick, successful resolution.
Different Types of Child Custody
One of the most important steps in developing a parenting plan is setting up a custody arrangement with the opposing party. In Texas, there are two custody agreement options: joint conservatorship and sole conservatorship.
Joint Conservatorship
Child custody laws in Texas define joint custody—known in Texas as joint conservatorship—as an arrangement where both parents share in all decision-making regarding their child’s upbringing. This includes education, medical treatment, and more.
Physical possession of the child is only one part conservatorship. A custody order will grant one parent the right to determine the primary residence of the child. Unless the parties agree to a possession schedule, the court will also determine how much access the non-primary parent will have. This will often be either the standard or extended standard schedules outlined by the Texas Family Code. Custom schedules are also possible, particularly where the parties agree. And even with one parent designated as the primary residential parent, it is possible to have a 50/50 split, such as a week-on-week-off schedule.
Sole Conservatorship
Sole custody—known as sole managing conservatorship—usually comes into play when the behavior of one parent is detrimental to the well-being of the child in some way. This includes abuse, neglect, or drug and alcohol addiction. If the court finds that these circumstances exist, these situations can result in the non-offending party being awarded sole managing conservatorship. This means they have exclusive control over decisions regarding the child.
A party who is not named as a managing conservator will generally be named as a possessory conservator, meaning that they have rights to visitation. However, it is possible that the court will grant them only supervised visitation or restrict them from visiting at all.
How to File for Child Custody in Texas
Before you file, child custody laws in Texas require you to prove that your child’s home state is Texas. This means that your child must have lived at least six consecutive months in Texas with a parent or legal guardian before filing.
If your child meets the criteria, you should begin filling out the necessary paperwork with an experienced Texas family law attorney.
1. Fill Out Paperwork
The paperwork you fill out for child custody depends on your marital situation. You will either file a suit affecting the parent–child relationship (SAPCR) or file for a divorce. In cases where you and your spouse have children under 18, the divorce includes a SAPCR.
If you believe that the other parent will do something damaging or dangerous as retaliation, you can file for a temporary restraining order.
For divorce cases with children under 18 years old, you must complete the following forms:
If you are unable to pay court fees, you may also need to fill out a Statement of Inability to Afford Court Costs. Once you fill out these forms, you must file them with the district court in the county where your child resides.
2. Notify the Attorney General’s Office If Required
If your child has ever received benefits related to Medicaid, food stamps, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), you must submit a copy of your petition to the attorney general’s office by email, mail, or fax.
If this does not apply to you, skip to step three.
3. Inform the Respondent
The other parent (respondent) must be informed about the petition. You can either do this by serving them court papers or asking them to fill out a form in person. Keep in mind that hiring someone to serve court papers usually costs money.
4. Wait for the Respondent to File
At this point, you do not need to do anything else. Wait to see if the opposing party files a response. Once they do, your next step is to attend a hearing or mediation to work out the details of the custody agreement.
5. Attend Mediation or a Court Hearing
Child custody laws in Texas allow parents to create their own custody agreement through mediation if they don’t want a judge to decide for them. If you have trouble coming up with an agreement in mediation, you can take the dispute to court. However, an experienced Texas family law attorney can help you avoid going to court and solve your custody dispute during mediation.
Need Help Navigating Child Custody Laws in Texas? Contact an Experienced Family Law Attorney
Most parents just want what is best for their child. If you are considering filing for child custody or are in the middle of a custody dispute, you need an experienced family law attorney in Texas who will aggressively fight for your children.
At the Larson Law Office, we have years of experience with child custody cases throughout the state of Texas. We offer personalized service so that you don’t have to go through this alone. To schedule a free consultation, give us a call at 713-221-9088.
What Happens in a Hearing for Temporary Divorce Orders in Texas?
/in Divorce Law /by Erik LarsonTemporary orders basically are orders entered by the court for the pendency of the divorce that can protect a spouse, property or ensure the children’s well-being.
Temporary orders hearings frequently occur very quickly and early in divorce cases. In many cases, the hearing on temporary orders occurs even before the non-filing spouse’s deadline to file an Answer has expired.
In fact, it is not uncommon that many of the temporary orders entered by the court eventually provide the framework for the final decree.
The Texas Family Code provides that a divorcing spouse can request a temporary orders hearing for personal protection or for the protection of property during the divorce process. In situations where a divorcing couple has children, a spouse can also request temporary orders for a child’s safety and welfare.
Regarding temporary orders hearings to protect property, a spouse can request that the court enter temporary orders that provide for the exclusive use of the couple’s residence by one spouse prior to entry of the final decree. This request must be accompanied with evidence supporting why such an order is necessary. Examples of such evidence include a concern that the other spouse will attempt to prevent her from entering the property or that both spouses having access to the residence will have a negative or disruptive effect on the children.
What Spouses Can Request
A spouse can also ask the court to hear a temporary orders hearing for spousal support. Temporary spousal support is designed to protect a spouse who stays at home, or makes significantly less money than the other spouse during the pendency of the divorce until the final divorce decree is entered. If temporary spousal support is awarded to a spouse, the amount of spousal support paid can be considered by the court when final property division is done at the end of the case.
A party in a divorce case can request the court to hear a temporary orders hearing that the spouse be given the exclusive right to manage and control property of the marriage. This can range from things like automobiles to firearms to pets – a wide range of property can be the subject of these orders which are in effect until final orders.
At the temporary orders stage, a party can also request from the court:
A spouse can also request a temporary orders hearing occur for conservatorship of the children, child support, medical support and attorney’s fees.
Contact an Attorney About Your Temporary Texas Divorce Order
Temporary orders hearings are very important part of a Texas divorce case. Having a responsive and prepared divorce lawyer is recommended to manage the quick deadlines involved in these hearings. Call Diana Larson at Larson Law for a free case evaluation at 713-221-9088.
Best Advice From a Seasoned Houston Divorce Attorney
/in Divorce Law /by ErikLarsonWhen deciding on hiring a lawyer, if the attorney you select shares and supports your goals and strategies for the case, that is usually a good indicator that the divorce lawyer is the best choice for you.
Interview Questions
Q: What are the common reasons for divorce that you handle as a Houston divorce lawyer?
There are many reasons for why couples divorce. Many times it is due to financial stressors, such as job losses, job transfers, differences in spending and savings habits between the spouses.
When children arrive, many issues that were not discussed by the couple before marriage arise and the parents realize that they have very different ideas about raising children and parenting which can often cause long-term conflict and stress the marital relationship. Sometimes it is due to issues like infidelity, domestic violence, mental cruelty, or abandonment by a spouse.
Q: As a divorce lawyer in Houston, what’s the most common mistake you see people make in divorces that you wish you could stop?
The most common mistake in divorce cases I see is that people often do not act quickly enough and early enough to protect their interests. Many times people are overwhelmed by the deteriorating marital relationship and are in denial of what they know is happening.
Taking the first step in hiring a divorce lawyer can appear to be overwhelming and even frightening, especially in turbulent emotional times, but, in my opinion, the earlier people act to get in front of the situation and to get legal advice before taking action, the better off they will typically be.
Q: What should people expect if there are children involved in a divorce?
The goal should always be to protect and insulate children from the divorce process. This means not involving the children in adult problems, not running down the other parent to the child, not asking the child to spy on the other parent during periods of possession and reporting back to that parent upon return of the child.
Child support, medical support, rights, duties, and possession and access schedules will be put in place, either by agreement by the parties, agreement in mediation, or by the court if no agreement is reached.
But what parents should keep in mind is that what damages children is not the divorce process, it is not living in separate homes, rather it is the level of interpersonal conflict between the parents particularly when the parents involve the children in that conflict.
Q: What made you want to be a divorce/custody lawyer?
Throughout my life, like many people, I witnessed close friends and family members go through the divorce process. Those experiences made a tremendous impact on me, particularly witnessing people take courageous actions to protect their children from harmful environments, and to improve their situations in life.
I also became a lawyer to help people. Being a divorce attorney gives me the ability to help people on a daily basis navigate what is probably one of the most difficult processes of their adult lives. Although divorce can often be a stressful process, this is also the beginning of a new, and often better and more productive, stage in peoples’ lives.
Q: Do you believe everyone needs a lawyer for their divorce?
The vast majority of people would benefit from having a divorce lawyer help them resolve their case. The emotional component of divorce cases make it extremely difficult for most people to navigate resolving property and children issues, and Texas law can be complex in the area of child conservatorship and property division.
Banks and other financial institutions will want to see a divorce decree in making lending decisions in the future and a divorce lawyer can help make sure that your divorce decree is in order to avoid problems dealing with banks in the future.
There can also be complicated issues regarding reimbursement of separate and community property, real estate issues and 401(k) divisions that a lawyer can significantly assist with resolving and structuring.
Q: How do you generally see divorce cases resolve?
The vast majority of divorce cases we handle are resolved through a settlement process called mediation. We are big proponents of mediation because it gets clients through the divorce process more quickly and less expensively than a traditional litigation process and trial where a judge or jury decides everything.
Mediation also allows the parties to keep control of the process rather than going to a trial where nothing is within the parties’ control. We are very picky about the mediators we pick to mediate our cases because the choice of who the mediator is can make the difference between success and failure of mediation.
Q: What advice or tips do you have for people going through a divorce?
One of the most important things to try to do is also one of the most difficult, which is to manage your own emotions. People who can step back a bit emotionally and focus more on how they want their property divided, and, if there are children, what kind of rights, duties and possession they want, rather than how their spouse has wronged them, will likely get off to a better start in the divorce process.
Q: What makes you different from other divorce lawyers in Houston?
The feedback we get is that many divorce law firms are full of junior lawyers, paralegals, secretaries and other staff that seem almost designed to keep clients away from the primary lawyer who the client has hired. That is not the case with our law firm. We do not have junior lawyers who are often assigned at other firms to “cover” a hearing, mediation or trial.
When you hire Erik Larson and Diana Larson, you will get either Erik or Diana – whether it is on the initial phone call as a potential client of our firm, in an initial meeting, on the phone, email or in person meetings throughout your case, in mediation, in hearings, or at trial. If you hire us, you will get us. Period.
Have Questions? Contact Us
Our Houston divorce attorneys are ready to answer all of your questions and provide you with the honest, straightforward advice and aggressive legal representation you may need. Free legal consultations are available. Contact us online or call us at 713-221-9088.
Understanding Military Divorce in Texas
/in Divorce Law /by Erik LarsonUnderstanding how the Texas military divorce laws could affect you is critical, as is knowing—and protecting—your legal rights.
Talking to a Texas divorce attorney can help, as long as you choose a lawyer who has experience with military divorces.
The compassionate legal professionals at the Larson Law Office can help.
Our dedicated husband-and-wife team has the knowledge and experience you need on your side.
What Makes Military Divorce in Texas Different?
A number of laws, both state and federal, affect the military divorce process. One of the primary considerations is that divorce papers must be personally served on an active duty servicemember. No other form of process service is acceptable. If an active duty spouse is deployed overseas, for example, this could affect the timeline of the divorce process.
The time required for a servicemember to respond to being served may also be extended. Under the Service Member’s Civil Relief Act (SCRA), active duty servicemembers have an additional 90 days to respond to being served. They can also request that the court delay the hearing process until they return from deployment.
What If My Spouse Lives in a Different State?
To file for divorce in Texas, one of the spouses must have been a legal resident of the state for at least six months. That spouse must also have been a resident of the county in which the proceedings will take place for six months.
For a military divorce, you also have the right to file in Texas if you are stationed in the state or if you were deployed from the state. As long as one of the parties meets the requirements necessary to file for divorce in Texas, it doesn’t matter where the other spouse lives.
Texas Military Divorce and Child Custody
Matters involving child custody, child support, and spousal support are essentially the same for both military and civilian divorces. Child support payments are calculated based on the guidelines established in Texas law. However, the total amount cannot exceed 60% of the servicemember’s pay.
The parties must work out a formal parenting plan, including terms of custody, visitation, and conservatorship. If the servicemember expects to be deployed, you may have to include provisions that take this factor into consideration.
Division of Property in Military Divorce
With few exceptions, the division of property in a military divorce is identical to property division in a civilian divorce. In Texas, any property the parties hold separate from their spouse is typically not subject to division, as long as you can provide proof.
Community property, including real property, vehicles, bank accounts, etc., is subject to division by the court unless the parties can reach a mutual agreement on their distribution.
The primary difference in divorce proceedings where a servicemember is involved is the way military retirement and health insurance benefits are distributed.
Whether a non-servicemember spouse can take a portion of the servicemember’s retirement benefits depends on multiple factors, including the duration of the marriage and the amount of time the servicemember was on active duty during the marriage.
The servicemember might also have to provide healthcare for a dependent spouse as well as any minor children.
To understand specifically how the division of property laws affect your situation, talk to an experienced military divorce lawyer. If you qualify to receive a portion of your spouse’s military retirement benefits and health insurance benefits, your attorney can fight to help ensure you get the benefits you’re entitled to.
How a Texas Military Divorce Lawyer Can Help
Whether you are a servicemember who has been served with divorce papers or you want to learn more about divorcing a servicemember, talking to a lawyer can provide critical insight.
An experienced attorney can help you navigate all the complexities related to military divorce. Texas state and federal laws can significantly affect how a divorce will impact you financially, both now and in the future. Don’t risk your future or that of your children by trying to navigate this complex process on your own.
Contact Us to Schedule a Free Consultation
For help with a military divorce in Texas, contact the husband-and-wife divorce law team of the Larson Law Office. We personally handle every aspect of your case and fight to ensure the protection of your rights. Contact us now to schedule a no-cost consultation, or call us at (713) 221-9088.
Erik Larson and Diana Larson Receive 2020 AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell
/in Uncategorized /by Erik LarsonThe Firm congratulates Erik Larson and Diana Larson on each receiving a 2020 AV® Preeminent™ rating from Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings.
An AV® Preeminent™ Rating “is a testament to the fact a lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence.” This distinct achievement of professional excellence is earned through a strenuous Peer Review Rating process, which places Erik Larson and Diana Larson among the elite of fellow legal professionals.
Martindale-Hubbell has been conducting peer-review ratings for over 100 years to identify and recognize lawyers with the highest legal ability and ethical standards. Lawyers are rated by their peers — attorneys and judges — in the categories of legal knowledge, analytical capabilities, judgment, communication ability and legal experience as well as a high level of ethical standards.
For experienced and high quality legal representation in divorce and family law cases, contact The Larson Law Office today.
Congratulations to Our 2020 Scholarship Recipient!
/in Uncategorized /by Erik Larson