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Houston Divorce Lawyers The Larson Law Office
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Erik Larson

How Long Does It Take To Divorce in Houston?

February 20, 2019/in Divorce Law, Family Court /by Erik Larson

One question that we often get is — How long does it take to divorce in Houston?  From the very beginning to the very end.

Let’s start with the quickest possible time to finalize a Houston divorce under Texas law. Texas has a 60 day waiting period before any agreed order of divorce can be finalized. The waiting period begins to run on the day that the Original Petition for Divorce is filed with the court.  The waiting period is a cooling off period provided by the Texas legislature.

So, the soonest that an agreed divorce can be finalized in the Houston area is 61 days.  The first thing that needs to happen is that a divorce petition must be filed to start the 60 day clock.  Once this occurs,  your spouse must either be served by service of process, or your spouse must sign and complete a waiver of service of process that must be filed with the Court.

Of course, finalizing the terms of a divorce within this 60 day period is going to require an agreement on the division of property, liabilities, as well as child custody and child support issues, if children are involved.  So, an agreement on these issues has to be reached by the parties if you want to finalize the divorce within 60 days of filing  Then a final and fully signed decree of divorce can be entered with the court after the waiting period expires.

If you do not have an agreement with your spouse on these issues, it is unlikely that you will be able to finalize your divorce within 60 days.  In this event, you should anticipate needing to either go to mediation for assistance in reaching an agreement. Or it is possible that you may end up going to court so that a judge can resolve your differences for you.

If you need help filing for divorce in the Houston Area, you can reach Diana Larson or Erik Larson at 713.221.9088.

Erik Larson

H Texas Magazine Taps Larsons as 2018 Top Family Lawyers in Houston

December 1, 2018/in Child Custody Law, Divorce Law, Estate Planning Law, Family Court /by Erik Larson

Congratulations to Firm partners Diana Larson and Erik Larson for each being selected to H Texas Magazine’s 2018 list of Houston’s Top Family Lawyers.

In its November 2018 issue, H Texas Magazine states that it compiles its 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.

Erik Larson

Year-End Estate Planning Tips

December 1, 2018/in Estate Planning Law /by Erik Larson

The end of the year is a popular time for people to either update their estate planning, or to finally get a Will done! Over the next few weeks, we will be posting tips on how to avoid common estate planning errors. The first two are below.

Not Updating Beneficiaries

Failing to name a contingent beneficiary on retirement accounts and insurance policies is a very common mistake. If you fail to name a beneficiary, the result can mean that the proceeds likely will default to your estate. This means that an asset that would have passed without probate, would now be subject to probate. Also, neglecting to remove a former spouse on these accounts can have significant negative consequences.

Failing to Address Guardianship of Minor Children Who Are Beneficiaries

Who will handle the money and assets for the minor children? And for how long – until they are 18, 25, 30 years old? Do you need a Trust to help in these determinations? What are your wishes about who should raise your minor children if you pass when they are still small? You should make those wishes known in your estate planning to avoid costly litigation later.

Our family law firm can help you answer any questions or concerns you may have over updating your will. Call Erik or Diana Larson today to  discuss your estate planning needs at 713.221.9088.

Erik Larson

Cost of a Divorce Lawyer in Houston

June 14, 2018/in Child Custody Law, Divorce Law, Family Court /by Erik Larson

Each divorce case shares some issues in common.  However, it is important to keep in mind that just as every divorce case is different, the ultimate cost of a divorce lawyer in Houston will vary case by case as well.  The amount in legal fees that a divorce will ultimately cost differs with each case because each divorce has unique elements and issues that need to be handled and these issues affect the number of attorney hours that are required to bring the case to a conclusion.

Factors in Cost of a Divorce Lawyer in Houston

There are many factors and circumstances that determine how much obtaining a Texas divorce will cost, including:

Witnesses.  Are witnesses going to be necessary and for what issues will they be required?

Complexity.  Is the case complex or complicated?   Issues that affect the complexity of the case include the number of assets, how the assets are held, the liquidity of the assets, the availability of the assets and whether the assets are easily discoverable or are hidden.  Other factors that may add to the complexity of a case may involve child custody and visitation issues.

Temporary Orders.  Will a temporary orders hearing be necessary or will an agreement be reached on temporary orders?

Contested or Uncontested Case.  Are the parties are in agreement on how marital property will be divided and how child support, child custody and visitation will be handled?  Or will these issues need to be resolved by negotiation, mediation or perhaps ultimately resolved by the Court in a trial?

Discovery.  Will written discovery, such as interrogatories and requests for production, be necessary to uncover facts about issues involving property, child support and child custody?  Will depositions, which are pre-trial oral testimony that is transcribed by a court reporter, be necessary after written discovery is completed?

For a free consultation about the cost of a divorce lawyer in Houston for your case, call The Larson Law Office at 713.221.9088.

Erik Larson

Diana Larson and Erik Larson Receive 2018 AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell

February 3, 2018/in Business, Child Custody Law, Divorce Law, Estate Planning Law, Family Court /by Erik Larson

The Firm congratulates Diana Larson and Erik Larson on each receiving a 2018 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 Diana Larson and Erik Larson among the elite of fellow legal professionals.

This is also Mr. Larson’s 15th consecutive year to receive an AV® Preeminent™ rating from Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings, since 2003.

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.

Erik Larson

Is Divorce Bad For Children?

February 3, 2018/in Child Custody Law, Divorce Law, Family Court /by Erik Larson

A recent Scientific American article found that divorce may be painful initially for children, but that most kids adjust well over time. Researchers have found that only a relatively small percentage of children experience serious problems in the wake of divorce or, later, as adults. The article concludes that divorce affects most children in the short run, but research suggests that kids recover rapidly. Taken together, the findings suggest that only a small percentage of young people experience divorce-related problems.

Kids Recover Rapidly

On average, the studies found only very small differences in academic achievement, emotional and behavior problems, delinquency, self-concept and social relationships between children of divorced parents and those from intact families, suggesting that the vast majority of children endure divorce well.

Researchers have consistently found that high levels of parental conflict during and after a divorce are associated with poorer adjustment in children.

Bouncing Back

Even though children of divorce generally do well, a number of factors can reduce the problems they might experience. Children fare better if parents can limit conflict associated with the divorce process or minimize the child’s exposure to it.

Further, children who live in the custody of at least one well-functioning parent do better than those whose primary parent is doing poorly.

The article further found that although divorce is hard and often extremely painful for children, long-term harm is not inevitable. Most children bounce back and get through this difficult situation with few if any battle scars.

Erik Larson

H Texas Magazine Selects Larsons for 2017 Houston Top Family Lawyers List

August 20, 2017/in Business, Child Custody Law, Divorce Law, Estate Planning Law, Family Court /by Erik Larson

Congratulations to Firm partners Diana Larson and Erik Larson for each having been named to H Texas Magazine’s annual list of Houston Top Family Lawyers for 2017.

In its July 2017 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.

Erik Larson

8 Signs A Marriage Will Not Last

August 20, 2017/in Child Custody Law, Divorce Law, Family Court /by Erik Larson

A recent Huffington Post article asked family law attorneys from across the country to share some of the most obvious signs that a couple is likely to divorce. The following were the top 8 indicators that a marriage will not last.

1. They give each other the silent treatment.

“It’s a bad sign if a couple bickers and it results in the silent treatment. Sure, fighting is healthy in a relationship but when it turns from playful to serious on a regular basis — and it ends in stonewalling — that doesn’t bode well for long-term success.

2. Their sex life is lackluster.

“This seems obvious and it is. People can go without sex, but the bottom line is that we are living creatures and sex is a natural desire.

3. They have very little in common.

“While it’s true that opposites attract, don’t assume that the qualities you fell in love with are going to keep a marriage together. For example, if someone is an extrovert and loves going out until the wee morning hours and the other spouse likes a warm bath at 7 p.m. followed by a glass of milk and a good book, there is no way the couple can sustain this lifestyle distance.”

4. Their careers always come before the family.

“It can be a problem when a partner always puts his or her career above everything else, including the relationship. This tends to be true, regardless of the agreement the couple has come to during the marriage. Even the strongest relationships decay over time when one person puts their career aspirations ahead of the relationship.”

5. They have contempt for one another.

“Eye-rolling, belittling and treating each other with disdain are key indicators that a relationship will eventually disintegrate. While spouses don’t have to always see eye-to-eye to have a happy marriage, they do have to respect each other and appreciate their differences, rather than viewing those differences as being signs that the other spouse is stupid or wrong.

6. They don’t respect each other’s love language.

“Knowing your partner’s love language — being aware of how he or she feels appreciated — is crucial for long-term success in marriage. Although spouses may love each other, they may not feel loved if they have different love languages. For instance, if one spouse shows love by doing helpful things or by buying gifts, but the other receives love through verbal affirmations, loving touch or quality time together, the love may not really be received.”

7. They’re not honest about their spending.

“A marriage is a partnership and each person should be accountable to the other for their family’s finances. When the finances are split, it’s easy for both partners to overspend. A couple can keep separate or joint bank accounts, but when there is no transparency on how money is being spent and saved, it’s nearly impossible to set and reach financial goals like buying a home or planning for retirement. It becomes a growing frustration.”

8. They never fight.

“Many spouses tend to avoid awkward situations and problems by either ‘shading the truth’ or ignoring something that has been on their mind. This leads to resentment. This person is your best friend, confidante and lover. You should be able to say anything to them. You should be able to accept one another’s comments without destroying the bonds of matrimony.

To discuss retaining Erik Larson and Diana Larson to represent you in your Texas divorce or other family law matter, contact us at The Larson Law Office at 713-221-9088.

Erik Larson

Diana Larson and Erik Larson Receive 2017 AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell

February 4, 2017/in Business, Child Custody Law, Divorce Law, Estate Planning Law, Family Court /by Erik Larson

The Firm congratulates Diana Larson and Erik Larson on receiving an AV® Preeminent™ rating from Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings for 2017.

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 Diana Larson and Erik 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.

Erik Larson

10 Interesting Facts About Divorce

February 4, 2017/in Child Custody Law, Divorce Law, Family Court /by Erik Larson
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