Hiring a divorce attorney can be expensive. Going through a divorce can be a stressful time, and the last thing you may want to do is add financial stress by paying costly attorney fees.
While it is tempting to save money, cheap divorce lawyers in Houston, Texas, come with a hidden price. Here, we will explain why hiring a cheap divorce attorney in Houston may cost you money in the long run.
The Hidden Costs of Hiring a Cheap Divorce Lawyer
From dividing assets to a custody arrangement, you will want to achieve the divorce outcome that is best for you. Without skilled legal representation, it may be harder to negotiate an agreement with your spouse.
If your case goes to trial, you may have a hard time presenting evidence to support your case. If your spouse hires a competent attorney, they will have the upper hand in contested divorce matters. You could end up losing valuable property or settling for a custody arrangement that is not to your liking.
There are several reasons why cheap divorce lawyers in Houston may charge less than the average market price. All of these reasons can mean you may not get the outcome you want in your divorce case.
Experience Matters
Some cheap divorce lawyers in Houston, Texas, may charge less than others because they are new to practicing family law. Inexperienced lawyers cannot attract clients based on past results or word of mouth referrals. New divorce attorneys may charge lower rates than more experienced divorce attorneys to appeal to potential clients.
While all attorneys have to start somewhere, experience is important in divorce cases. A divorce attorney who has been practicing for several years is more familiar with Texas family law.
Familiarity with the law means that your attorney may be able to spend less time researching issues for your case. Since divorce attorneys usually bill by the hour, an experienced divorce attorney can actually save you money, even if their hourly rate is higher than some more affordable divorce lawyers in Houston, TX.
You certainly never want your attorney to rush, but a newer attorney will usually need more time than an experienced attorney to complete similar tasks. This can cost you more money and drag out your divorce proceeding.
The divorce attorneys at The Larson Law Office have been handling divorce cases for over a decade. Erik and Diana Larson have the experience to handle your case both competently and efficiently.
Cheap Divorce Lawyers May Not Have Time to Focus on Your Case
Sometimes, divorce lawyers charge lower hourly rates or low flat fees and rely on client volume to make money. The problem with this tactic is that each client’s case may not get the attention it deserves. An attorney who does not have time for your case can affect the results of your divorce.
For example, a cheap divorce attorney in Houston may not read your settlement agreement carefully and may miss the fact that the agreement does not address all of the issues in your divorce. Oversights like this can lead to future legal conflicts over an unclear settlement agreement. You should always be sure that the lawyer you hire can devote time to your case.
The Larson Law Office specializes in attentiveness to each client’s needs. When you call The Larson Law Office, you will speak to Diana or Erik Larson, both talented family attorneys. Your case will not be handed off to a junior attorney or paralegal. The attorneys at The Larson Law Office will always give your divorce case the time it needs.
Cheap Divorce Lawyers Often Cannot Handle Complicated Cases
Whether it is because of a lack of experience or because their case volume prevents them from spending time on complicated issues, cheap divorce lawyers may not be able to handle more complicated cases. Divorce cases involving children, high-value assets, or detailed and specific divorce settlement agreements are usually complicated.
You want to be sure that your attorney is well-equipped to navigate the complexities of your divorce case. If you hire a cheap divorce lawyer in Houston, Texas, and they mishandle your complicated divorce, you can end up paying even more money for another lawyer to fix their mistakes.
When Not to Hire a Cheap Divorce Lawyer
You should not hire a cheap divorce lawyer if you and your spouse disagree about the terms of your divorce. Disagreements require your attorney to spend time negotiating, mediating, gathering evidence, and possibly preparing for trial. You will want an experienced attorney who has enough time to devote to this process.
Additionally, some cheap divorce lawyers charge a low initial fee but add extra fees when issues arise during a case. Sometimes they will even withdraw from your case altogether when things get complicated, and you will have to pay a new attorney to get up to speed. In any divorce case, things can change unexpectedly as emotions flare between you and your spouse.
If your attorney charges you fees for additional phone calls and communications, the cost of your divorce can increase quickly. It is better to know about and budget for costs up front rather than deal with surprises.
Does Your Divorce Attorney Have Your Best Interests in Mind?
It is important to hire a divorce attorney who will keep your best interests in mind throughout the case. Avoid cheap divorce lawyers in Houston who are only interested in making money by accepting as many clients as possible. These divorce attorneys may not pay enough attention to your case to make appropriate appeals following a hearing or trial.
Your divorce attorney also should not try to drag your case out so they can bill you for more hours. If agreeing to a settlement is in your best interests, your attorney should be willing to work with you to achieve this resolution.
Save Money by Hiring a Quality Houston Divorce Lawyer
When it comes to your divorce, it is important to get it right the first time. Hiring a second lawyer to fix mistakes made by a cheap divorce attorney in Houston can be expensive.
In addition, the costs of losing property or visitation rights in a contested divorce because you did not have competent legal representation can be impossible to calculate. Call The Larson Law Office to talk to family law attorneys with a long list of satisfied clients.
Contact The Larson Law Office with Your Questions
At The Larson Law Office, we are ready to answer any questions you may have about the cost of your divorce. We can advise you about your next steps based on the complexity of your specific divorce proceeding.
Erik and Diana Larson will keep your best interests in mind at all stages of your divorce, from the first conversation until the resolution.
Understanding Child Custody During Coronavirus in Texas
/in Child Custody Law /by Erik LarsonMost of our daily activities have been altered by the virus and the efforts to contain its spread.
Child custody and visitation is no exception. Between court closures and concerns about virus exposure, child custody during coronavirus can be difficult to navigate. Here, we will discuss some important things to keep in mind when it comes to custody during coronavirus.
Do Travel Restrictions Affect Visitation?
One of the main concerns that many parents have is the effect of COVID-19 on child visitation. Coronavirus mitigation efforts have included restrictions on travel to and from certain states. If your child is living in a state with a travel restriction, this may or may not affect your right to visitation depending on whether you have a Texas order or a custody order from another state.
Under a Texas order, custody and visitation rights are typically not impacted by restrictions meant to combat coronavirus. Both the child and the parents can typically travel according to the terms of the visitation agreement.
Concerns About the Child’s Health
Visitation and custody during COVID present very real concerns about your child’s health and safety. Someone in the other parent’s household may have been exposed to COVID-19. You might be worried that the other parent is not careful enough with social distancing and other precautions. Unfortunately, if you refuse to follow a custody arrangement because of these risks, the other parent may take legal action.
They can file a motion to enforce your custody agreement, and you may be held in contempt of court. Contact a lawyer if you have concerns about child custody and coronavirus. If there is a sufficient risk to the child or someone else from coronavirus exposure, a lawyer can help you handle a legal challenge from the other parent. If possible, you should contact a lawyer before you decide not to follow a custody or visitation arrangement.
Concerns About Another Family Member’s Health
The same issues arise if you or the child’s other parent live with someone who is vulnerable to coronavirus. Custody during coronavirus can bring up concerns that your child might expose another family member to the virus. If you are afraid that complying with a visitation schedule might expose someone to harm, you should contact a lawyer about the risks of ignoring the agreement.
What Else Can I Do?
If you and the other parent are on amicable terms, you should try to work out an agreement about child custody during COVID-19. Maybe you share concerns about virus exposure if the child travels between your two households. You and the other parent can agree that your child should stay with one parent or the other until the virus is more controlled.
You can formally modify your custody agreement with the court, but this is not always necessary. If you and your co-parent have a signed written agreement describing a new arrangement or if you have a course of conduct of working by agreement in a way deviating from the order, these can serve as evidence in support of modifying the order.
Call Our Office
If you need help reaching a new arrangement with your child’s other parent or if you are concerned about child visitation and coronavirus, call our office.
Our experienced divorce lawyers will give you honest advice about the risks of your situation and the options you may have. You have your family’s best interest in mind, and we have your best interest in mind. The Larson Law Office is ready to help you navigate custody and visitation in this uncharted time.
Can You Access Texas Divorce Records?
/in Divorce Law /by Erik LarsonYou and your spouse may also want to make changes to your divorce agreement. This will require you to look up your divorce records.
Since divorce can be very personal and has the potential to bring out private information in court, you may be wondering who else can see your divorce records.
If you have Googled “are divorce records public in Texas” or if you need a copy of your divorce records for any reason, you may find the answers to your questions here.
Types of Divorce Records
What you need to do to obtain your divorce records in Texas depends on what type of records you are looking for. There are several different types of divorce records in Texas. Each document type contains different information and is accessible by different people.
Divorce Certificate
A divorce certificate contains only the most basic information about your divorce. A Texas divorce certificate states that you got a divorce and states the time and place when the court finalized the divorce. Divorce certificates are the most commonly requested Texas divorce records. The certificate will be sufficient to prove that you are legally able to remarry. In most cases, only you, your spouse, and the lawyers who represented you both in the divorce can see a divorce certificate.
Divorce Decree
Another type of record with more information than the divorce certificate is the divorce decree. Texas usually allows only the parties to the divorce and their attorneys to access the divorce decree. A copy of a divorce decree in Texas contains all the divorce terms that you and your spouse agreed upon. For example, if the court decided that you or your spouse must pay child support, that information and the details about the support payments will be in the divorce decree. You may need to access your divorce decree if you are looking to file a petition to modify terms of the divorce decree relating to child support, spousal support, visitation or other issues.
Divorce Record
A divorce record is the case file from your divorce. This includes all the filings from your divorce case. In the state of Texas, divorce records are generally considered public. A third party can potentially find Texas public divorce records.
How Do I Access Divorce Records?
To request a divorce record, you must find the entity, such as the county clerk’s office, that created the document. The Texas Department of Health and Human Services has resources that can help someone request divorce records. These resources include a list of local offices and tools for requesting divorce records online. You may have to pay a fee to access records. In addition to using the tools provided by the state of Texas, you can sometimes access divorce records through third party websites.
How Do I Access My Divorce Decree or Certificate?
Now that you know about the different types of divorce records, you may be searching “how to get a copy of divorce decree in Texas”. You must request your divorce decree from the district clerk in the district in which you got divorced. This is also true for divorce certificates. Since certificates and divorce decrees in Texas are not public, you may have to verify your identity before you can access your records.
Contact Us With Questions
With so many different types of Texas divorce records, finding what you need can be confusing. Contact The Larson Law Office with any questions you may have about the record search. Erik and Diana Larson are ready to devote their full attention and years of experience to your concerns.
2021 Scholarship Winner
/in Uncategorized /by wyattCan You Get a Divorce While Pregnant in Texas?
/in Divorce Law /by Erik LarsonIf you are currently pregnant, you may be wondering whether you can get a divorce while pregnant in Texas.
The short answer is no.
Although you can start the divorce process while pregnant, Texas law requires you to wait to finalize the divorce.
Can You Still File for Divorce While Pregnant in Texas?
If you and your spouse consider divorce in Texas while pregnant, be prepared to wait. While state law permits you to file for divorce while pregnant in Texas, courts will not finalize a divorce until the birth of your child. Additionally, Texas family law requires that a divorce case be on file for at least 60 days before the divorce decree issues. So even though you can’t finalize your divorce until the baby is born, there’s no reason to wait to file your divorce. If you don’t file until after the baby is born, you will be stuck waiting at least another 60 days.
A domestic violence exception permits bypassing the waiting periods required for a divorce while pregnant in Texas. In these situations, courts may issue a protective order forcing your spouse to move out and not contact you or any other children. If you are a victim of domestic violence while pregnant, contact a family law attorney today to protect you and your unborn child.
Factors That May Delay a Texas Divorce While Pregnant
In addition to the waiting periods implemented by Texas law, whether one can divorce while pregnant in Texas is quickly complicated by the following additional factors: Texas courts require resolution of paternity and child support issues after the birth of the child.
Child Support
If you get pregnant while you are married, the Texas presumption of paternity recognizes your spouse as the biological father of your child. Therefore, the courts will wait to issue the divorce decree until the determination of child support, child visitation, and child custody issues after the child’s birth.
Paternity Issues
If your husband is not your child’s biological father, you still must wait to receive the finalization of your divorce in Texas. Although paternity issues do not hinder whether you can initially file for divorce while pregnant, these paternity issues may delay final judgment.
If your husband denies being the biological father of your child, you may need to conduct a paternity test after your child’s birth. However, if your husband refuses to submit to a paternity test, the court will not allow him to deny paternity.
Another way to rebut the presumption of paternity occurs when the presumed father files a denial of paternity and another man files an acknowledgement of paternity. Texas Family Code provides that the filing of these two documents discharges the presumed father from paternity and all rights and responsibilities of a parent.
As a child’s biological father must provide financial support, it’s best to uncover any paternity issues before obtaining a final divorce decree. If your spouse is not your child’s biological father, they will likely attempt to avoid financial responsibility for that child.
Contact Us
The answer to the question, Can I get a divorce while pregnant? is complicated. No law prohibits you from filing for divorce in Texas while pregnant. However, a resolution to your divorce must wait until the birth of your child. Despite these rules, pregnancy is not a permanent delay to your divorce.
If you have questions about a divorce while pregnant in Texas, contact The Larson Law Office today. The attorneys at The Larson Law Office provide custom, quality representation to all clients. We answer all questions from our clients personally and promptly. If you hire Erik or Diana as your divorce attorney, you only ever speak to Erik or Diana about your divorce.
The Larson Law Office commits to highly personalized representation, so no client ever feels left in the dark about their case. A divorce represents a deeply personal and emotional event. We support our clients through this transitional time and help you turn toward a brighter future for you and your family.
We dutifully represent clients in Houston, Texas, and surrounding metropolitan areas. Contact The Larson Law Office online, or call us today at 713-221-9088 for a complimentary case review regarding a divorce while pregnant in Texas.
How Long After Divorce Can You Remarry in Texas?
/in Divorce Law /by Erik LarsonMany people decide to remarry after divorcing their first spouse.
Whether you want to remarry soon after your divorce or after several years have passed, there are a few things you should know about remarrying after a Texas divorce.
Overview of Texas Law
Short answer: In Texas, you must wait thirty days after a judge finalizes your divorce to remarry. Your divorce is final on the day that the judge issues the final decree of divorce. On the thirty-first day after the judge issues the decree, you can legally remarry.
Are There Any Exceptions?
If you want to remarry the former spouse that you just divorced, there is no thirty-day waiting period requirement.
Why Is There a Waiting Period?
The thirty-day waiting period exists because, after a court finalizes a divorce, the parties to the divorce have thirty days to file an appeal. An appeal is a way to challenge the terms of the divorce agreement. Texas law requires a thirty-day waiting period after a divorce before remarriage so that both spouses can be certain that the terms of their divorce will not change.
It is possible to waive the thirty-day waiting period by filing a motion with the judge. You do not need your former spouse’s agreement to file a motion to waive the waiting period.
Waiving the Thirty-Day Waiting Period
A judge can grant your motion to waive the thirty-day waiting period for remarriage for good cause. Good cause can include a number of specific circumstances such as:
The judge has the ultimate discretion to consider the facts and circumstances of your situation and determine whether to waive the waiting period. Hiring a family law attorney can help you make the best possible case for why you should not have to wait thirty days to remarry.
How Many Times Can You Get Married in Texas?
There is no limit to how many times you can get married in Texas. You must divorce your previous spouse before remarrying. After getting divorced, you must wait thirty days or have a judge waive the waiting period before you remarry. As long as you follow these requirements, you can get married as many times as you want.
How a Lawyer Can Help with Your Divorce
If you want to remarry soon but do not think that a judge will waive the thirty-day waiting period, a lawyer may be able to help you finalize your divorce faster. Your attorney can advise you about whether you meet the requirements for an uncontested divorce. Uncontested divorce proceedings often take less time than contested divorces.
A divorce attorney can also keep your desire to remarry in mind when negotiating your divorce agreement. If you value finalizing your divorce quickly over getting particular assets in the property division, a good lawyer will work to achieve your goals.
Finally, your lawyer can request a waiver of the thirty day waiting period in your original divorce petition. If you think you may want to remarry after divorce, you should hire a skilled family law attorney to handle your case.
Ask Us Your Questions
If you have questions about remarriage in Texas, The Larson Law Office has answers. We are a husband and wife team that prioritizes personalized client service. Our experienced divorce attorneys will devote their own time to the details of your case and help you plan for remarriage after divorce. Contact The Larson Law Office today.
Does Adultery Affect Child Custody in Texas?
/in Child Custody Law /by Erik LarsonHere, we will discuss what you need to know about adultery and child custody.
Short answer: Adultery does not usually affect child custody in Texas. Texas courts decide on custody arrangements based on the child’s best interests.
How Judges Handle Adultery and Child Custody
Courts usually focus on each spouse’s parenting abilities when determining child custody. This means that adultery does not typically affect a custody decision. However, in some situations, a judge may decide that the affair indicates a spouse’s poor judgment and questionable parenting ability. One such instance is if one spouse had an affair and intentionally exposed the children to the affair in a way that was shown to be harmful to the children. A judge may consider these types of facts in making child custody determinations, such as when children can be confused, distressed, or angry about the affair.
In addition, if the person with whom the spouse is having an affair is abusive or cruel to the children, this could affect child custody. A judge may be less likely to grant custody to a parent who allowed an abusive affair partner to have contact with the children.
What Is Adultery?
In Texas, adultery is voluntary sexual intercourse with a person besides your spouse.
Proving Adultery
In Texas, adultery is one cause for a fault divorce. Unless your spouse admits to adultery, you will have to offer proof to a court showing that they are at fault for the breakdown of the marriage because they had an affair. You do not have to prove that sexual intercourse occurred. You can use circumstantial evidence showing that an affair most likely took place. Circumstantial evidence can include:
An experienced divorce attorney will be able to help you gather the evidence you need to prove adultery.
Adultery and Divorce
While adultery affects child custody only in specific situations, it impacts other aspects of divorce. If you are getting divorced on the grounds of adultery in Texas, you will have to present evidence to prove your claim. If you successfully prove adultery, it can affect divorce issues such as property division.
In Texas, one spouse can qualify for alimony under specific circumstances, which is termed temporary spousal support in Texas. These circumstances involve the inability of the spouse receiving alimony to make enough money to support themselves. Once the judge decides that one spouse qualifies to receive alimony, they decide the amount of the alimony and the duration of payments based on a number of factors.
Texas courts can award a smaller share of marital property to a spouse that committed adultery. This is especially true if there is evidence that this spouse was spending money on the extramarital affair.
How a Child Custody Attorney Can Help
An experienced child custody attorney can help you divorce a spouse who committed adultery. If your partner’s affair had an impact on your children, an experienced attorney will help you make your case to the judge. A divorce attorney can also help you prove that adultery occurred by compiling strong evidence. Hiring a divorce attorney is a good idea if your spouse cheated and you want a divorce. Even if the affair does not affect child custody, you may be able to get more of the marital property.
Ask Us Any Questions You May Have
The Larson Law Office is ready to discuss how adultery can impact your divorce. We are committed to providing personalized service, so you know that every step of your case will be handled by an attorney. With over a decade of experience serving family law clients in Texas, the husband and wife team at the Larson Law Office can answer all of your adultery and child custody questions. Contact our office today.
Texas Divorce Mediation Overview
/in Divorce Law /by ErikLarsonIf you have to go to trial to reach a resolution, the process can become lengthy and contentious. Fortunately, however, there are ways to prevent this from happening.
Depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding your divorce, a Texas divorce mediation might be right for you.
If you have questions about divorce mediation in Texas, contact the Larson Law Office’s divorce attorneys today.
Mediation: An Overview
Mediation is an out-of-court process in which a neutral decision-maker, called the mediator, assists parties in reaching a mutually agreeable settlement. The mediation process provides parties with a way to reach a resolution without going through the court system.
In a divorce mediation, the mediator helps the couple settle issues that would typically be decided by a judge. These issues might include:
The role of a Texas divorce mediator is to assist the couple in reaching a voluntary agreement. However, the mediator will never force a settlement on any party.
How Divorce Mediation in Texas Unfolds
The first step in beginning your divorce mediation is to hire a Texas divorce mediator. The mediator you select should be well-versed on all issues frequently addressed in a divorce.
Your mediator will be guiding you and your spouse through one of the most difficult times in your life. Thus it is important that you choose someone whom you trust and feel comfortable having difficult conversations with. Your divorce attorney will likely provide recommendations for mediators that would be a good fit.
The next step is the mediation session itself. Mediation sessions can occur in different ways.
You may meet with your spouse and the mediator together in one room, although that is not typical. Alternatively, you and your spouse may each meet with the mediator separately, which is more often done. If you are represented by an attorney, they can attend mediation with you and advise you as you come to an agreement.
Depending on the extent of disagreements with your spouse, the mediation may require only one session. However, often couples will have differing wishes in some areas, and it will take multiple sessions.
Finally, if the parties do reach a voluntary settlement agreement, they will sign the agreement and file it with the court.
Pros and Cons of Mediation
As with any process, there are pros and cons of going to mediation for divorce in Texas.
Examples of pros of divorce mediation in Texas include the following:
Attempting to finalize your divorce through mediation can be a great way to streamline your divorce while keeping things as friendly and amicable as possible.
Of course, there are cons to mediation as well. Some of these cons include the following:
Give our team a call to discuss whether proceeding with mediation might be the right step for you.
What Happens When You Do and Don’t Reach an Agreement in a Texas Divorce Mediation?
If you and your spouse do reach a settlement agreement, you will each sign a formal agreement. You will then file the settlement agreement with the court. Once the court approves the agreement, its terms will become the terms of your final divorce decree.
If, however, you and your spouse cannot reach an agreement, you have no obligation to continue attempts at meditation.
Although some Texas counties require you to at least attempt mediation, mediation is mostly a voluntary process. If the process does not work for you, you are entitled to have your divorce issues heard and decided by a judge.
Is a Divorce Mediation in Texas Right for Me?
If you and your spouse are seeking a divorce and would rather come to an agreement together than go through the court process, mediation may be the path for you.
According to a national survey, the average cost of a litigated divorce is about $15,000 per person. However, resolving your case through mediation can potentially lead to a much cheaper and quicker result.
We Can Answer Your Questions
If you have questions about whether divorce mediation in Texas might be right for you, we want to help.
Erik and Diana Larson have been practicing law in Texas for over 20 years. Going through a divorce can often feel both financially and emotionally overwhelming. But you don’t have to go through it on your own.
Contact our team today for a free consultation to see how we can help.
Retroactive Child Support in Texas
/in Child Custody Law /by Erik LarsonParenting can feel even more difficult if your ex hasn’t helped to support the child you share.
Fortunately, there are back child support laws in Texas that may allow you to receive financial support from your ex to make up for it.
If you have questions about retroactive child support in Texas, contact family law attorneys Diana and Erik Larson of the Larson Law Office today.
What Is Retroactive Child Support?
Retroactive child support is available where there has been a period of time, prior to the entry of a child support award, when one parent did not provide financial support for the child.
Both parents of a child have an equal obligation to support their child, even if the parents are no longer together and even if there is no child support order in place. If the court has ordered your child’s other parent to pay child support and they refuse, you can get the court to enter a judgment against them for the amount of unpaid support.
But if there is no order, it can be more difficult to force them to pay. This is where retroactive support comes in. You can ask the court to order your child’s other parent to compensate you for their share of child-care expenses you have incurred in the past.
Can Courts Order Retroactive Child Support in Texas?
Yes, courts can order back child support in Texas. However, they can do so only in certain situations.
Pursuant to Texas Family Code Section 154.009, a court may order a parent to pay retroactive child support in Texas if the parent:
However, it is important to note that the court does not have to order retroactive child support.
If both of these elements are true, the judge has discretion to order retroactive child support if it is in the best interest of the child. A judge will use specific facts of the case to make this determination.
Factors to Establish Retroactive Child Support
Judges evaluate requests for retroactive child support on a case-by-case basis. Some factors judges may consider in making their decision include:
No two cases are the same, so don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions about what factors may exist in your case.
How Do You Calculate Retroactive Child Support in Texas?
If a court orders back child support in Texas, it will calculate the amount using the retroactive child support guidelines found in section 154.125 of the Texas Family Code.
Under these guidelines, the court must determine the total net resources of the non-custodial parent during the relevant time period. Then, depending on the number of children the parties share, the court will calculate a percentage of the non-custodial parent’s monthly income, as designated by the guidelines. This percentage will dictate the retroactive child support amount. Retroactive child support can go back to the parents’ date of separation.
We Can Answer Your Questions
Sharing a child with an ex is complicated. But you deserve support.
The family law attorneys at The Larson Law Office will fight zealously for your rights to help you get the support you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation, and see what we can do for you.
How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Texas?
/in Divorce Law /by ErikLarsonSo how much does a divorce cost in Texas? While the exact answer is different for everyone, there are several factors that can affect the cost of your divorce.
Average Cost of Divorce in Texas
How much it costs for a divorce in Texas varies depending on whether or not you hire a lawyer.
Getting a Divorce Without Hiring a Lawyer
You can file your divorce petition, fill out your paperwork, and attend divorce hearings without a lawyer representing you. If you choose the DIY option, you will only need to pay filing fees and other court fees. This usually adds up to a few hundred dollars.
While getting a divorce without hiring a lawyer seems less expensive, it can cost you in the long run. You must correctly complete all divorce paperwork and meet all filing deadlines. Missing filing deadlines can, in some situations, result in a default judgment in favor of your spouse. In addition, you and your spouse may disagree on child custody arrangements or asset division.
A divorce lawyer can help you negotiate a more agreeable settlement or dispute your spouse’s proposed divorce terms in court. It is extremely difficult to argue a case without legal knowledge. Having a lawyer will give you an advantage.
Hiring a Lawyer
The cost of a divorce can go up or down depending on a number of factors, including the level of conflict in the divorce, how many contested issues there are, how much courtroom time is involved, how quickly and easily agreements are reached, and whether there are children involved.
Most people hire a divorce lawyer for full-scope representation, meaning the lawyer handles every aspect of the entire case. However, it is also possible to hire a lawyer for only certain aspects of your case. For example, you can hire a lawyer to review a settlement agreement that your spouse has presented to you.
Disputes and Trial Can Raise the Cost of Your Divorce
Most divorce lawyers charge by the hour, so the total cost of your divorce is determined by the lawyer’s rate and the amount of time the lawyer must spend on your case. Cases with more contested issues usually require a divorce attorney to devote more time to the matter.
If your case goes to trial, your attorney will have to spend significant time preparing for trial. This can raise the cost of your divorce. The cost of a divorce with one contested issue can more than double when the issue must be resolved at trial instead of through a settlement.
Factors That Most Affect the Cost of Divorce
How much does a divorce cost in Texas? In addition to whether you must go to trial, there are several factors that can significantly impact the cost of your divorce.
Fault or No-Fault
Certain types of fault divorce cases, such as a divorce on the grounds of adultery, tend to cost more. Proving adultery, cruelty, or other fault grounds can affect a final divorce settlement, so allegations of fault are relevant to many divorce cases. If you are seeking a divorce on fault grounds, you must prove that your spouse is at fault by presenting evidence to the judge.
Your lawyer will have to spend more time gathering and preparing to present this evidence, often resulting in a higher total cost. How much it costs to get a divorce in Texas may depend on the grounds for your divorce.
Alimony
If alimony, or temporary spousal support, is a contested issue in your divorce, the cost of your divorce may increase. In Texas, certain circumstances must be present for a court to award alimony payments to one spouse in a divorce. The spouse requesting alimony may have to prove that they are unable to support themselves without alimony due to a physical or mental disability or because they are the custodial parent of a child with a mental or physical disability.
To prove eligibility for alimony, the requesting spouse must present convincing evidence to a judge. This requires an attorney to spend time gathering evidence such as medical records, expert testimony, etc.
Child Custody
Texas courts tend to favor shared custody arrangements unless circumstances make this arrangement unreasonable. A court may deny custody rights to a parent if there is abuse or neglect. If you do not want to share custody with your spouse, you will likely need to present proof that your former spouse is unfit.
Similarly, if your spouse wants to deny you custody, you must present evidence to discredit your spouse’s claim that you are an unfit parent. An attorney must spend time collecting evidence to support your claim in court. Disagreements over child custody may need to be resolved with a trial and can make your Texas divorce more expensive.
Division of Assets
The more assets a couple has, the more likely there are to be issues when it comes time to divide them during a divorce. Each asset, from bank accounts to businesses owned by either spouse presents the opportunity for a disagreement about who gets what. These disagreements require time-consuming negotiations and sometimes a trial.
What Factors Can Affect the Timeline of My Divorce?
Disagreements over any of the issues listed above can make your divorce take more time. Whether or not you hire an attorney, it takes time to gather evidence to support your side of a disagreement with your spouse. In addition, if you have to resolve your disagreements with a trial, court delays can extend the process even more.
Contact The Larson Law Office with Your Questions
There is no way to know upfront exactly how much a divorce costs in Texas. The experienced family law attorneys at The Larson Law Office are ready to answer your questions about the cost of getting a divorce. We are available to discuss our hourly rates as well as a general idea of how much time your divorce case is likely to take. Call The Larson Law Office today to speak to an experienced Texas divorce attorney.
Are Cheap Divorce Lawyers in Houston Worth It?
/in Divorce Law /by ErikLarsonWhile it is tempting to save money, cheap divorce lawyers in Houston, Texas, come with a hidden price. Here, we will explain why hiring a cheap divorce attorney in Houston may cost you money in the long run.
The Hidden Costs of Hiring a Cheap Divorce Lawyer
From dividing assets to a custody arrangement, you will want to achieve the divorce outcome that is best for you. Without skilled legal representation, it may be harder to negotiate an agreement with your spouse.
If your case goes to trial, you may have a hard time presenting evidence to support your case. If your spouse hires a competent attorney, they will have the upper hand in contested divorce matters. You could end up losing valuable property or settling for a custody arrangement that is not to your liking.
There are several reasons why cheap divorce lawyers in Houston may charge less than the average market price. All of these reasons can mean you may not get the outcome you want in your divorce case.
Experience Matters
Some cheap divorce lawyers in Houston, Texas, may charge less than others because they are new to practicing family law. Inexperienced lawyers cannot attract clients based on past results or word of mouth referrals. New divorce attorneys may charge lower rates than more experienced divorce attorneys to appeal to potential clients.
While all attorneys have to start somewhere, experience is important in divorce cases. A divorce attorney who has been practicing for several years is more familiar with Texas family law.
Familiarity with the law means that your attorney may be able to spend less time researching issues for your case. Since divorce attorneys usually bill by the hour, an experienced divorce attorney can actually save you money, even if their hourly rate is higher than some more affordable divorce lawyers in Houston, TX.
You certainly never want your attorney to rush, but a newer attorney will usually need more time than an experienced attorney to complete similar tasks. This can cost you more money and drag out your divorce proceeding.
The divorce attorneys at The Larson Law Office have been handling divorce cases for over a decade. Erik and Diana Larson have the experience to handle your case both competently and efficiently.
Cheap Divorce Lawyers May Not Have Time to Focus on Your Case
Sometimes, divorce lawyers charge lower hourly rates or low flat fees and rely on client volume to make money. The problem with this tactic is that each client’s case may not get the attention it deserves. An attorney who does not have time for your case can affect the results of your divorce.
For example, a cheap divorce attorney in Houston may not read your settlement agreement carefully and may miss the fact that the agreement does not address all of the issues in your divorce. Oversights like this can lead to future legal conflicts over an unclear settlement agreement. You should always be sure that the lawyer you hire can devote time to your case.
The Larson Law Office specializes in attentiveness to each client’s needs. When you call The Larson Law Office, you will speak to Diana or Erik Larson, both talented family attorneys. Your case will not be handed off to a junior attorney or paralegal. The attorneys at The Larson Law Office will always give your divorce case the time it needs.
Cheap Divorce Lawyers Often Cannot Handle Complicated Cases
Whether it is because of a lack of experience or because their case volume prevents them from spending time on complicated issues, cheap divorce lawyers may not be able to handle more complicated cases. Divorce cases involving children, high-value assets, or detailed and specific divorce settlement agreements are usually complicated.
You want to be sure that your attorney is well-equipped to navigate the complexities of your divorce case. If you hire a cheap divorce lawyer in Houston, Texas, and they mishandle your complicated divorce, you can end up paying even more money for another lawyer to fix their mistakes.
When Not to Hire a Cheap Divorce Lawyer
You should not hire a cheap divorce lawyer if you and your spouse disagree about the terms of your divorce. Disagreements require your attorney to spend time negotiating, mediating, gathering evidence, and possibly preparing for trial. You will want an experienced attorney who has enough time to devote to this process.
Additionally, some cheap divorce lawyers charge a low initial fee but add extra fees when issues arise during a case. Sometimes they will even withdraw from your case altogether when things get complicated, and you will have to pay a new attorney to get up to speed. In any divorce case, things can change unexpectedly as emotions flare between you and your spouse.
If your attorney charges you fees for additional phone calls and communications, the cost of your divorce can increase quickly. It is better to know about and budget for costs up front rather than deal with surprises.
Does Your Divorce Attorney Have Your Best Interests in Mind?
It is important to hire a divorce attorney who will keep your best interests in mind throughout the case. Avoid cheap divorce lawyers in Houston who are only interested in making money by accepting as many clients as possible. These divorce attorneys may not pay enough attention to your case to make appropriate appeals following a hearing or trial.
Your divorce attorney also should not try to drag your case out so they can bill you for more hours. If agreeing to a settlement is in your best interests, your attorney should be willing to work with you to achieve this resolution.
Save Money by Hiring a Quality Houston Divorce Lawyer
When it comes to your divorce, it is important to get it right the first time. Hiring a second lawyer to fix mistakes made by a cheap divorce attorney in Houston can be expensive.
In addition, the costs of losing property or visitation rights in a contested divorce because you did not have competent legal representation can be impossible to calculate. Call The Larson Law Office to talk to family law attorneys with a long list of satisfied clients.
Contact The Larson Law Office with Your Questions
At The Larson Law Office, we are ready to answer any questions you may have about the cost of your divorce. We can advise you about your next steps based on the complexity of your specific divorce proceeding.
Erik and Diana Larson will keep your best interests in mind at all stages of your divorce, from the first conversation until the resolution.