Tomball Family Law Attorney

At the end of the day, family is one of the most important things we have. Thus, when it comes to yours, it’s crucial to have the right team in your corner who can help you advocate fiercely for your rights at every step along the way. 

If you are looking for a Tomball family law attorney serving clients in Tomball, TX, to represent you in your legal matter, look no further than The Larson Law Office. Use our guide below to learn more about the types of family law services we provide and see how we can help you protect your family today.   

Do I Really Need a Tomball Family Lawyer for My Case? 

People are often hesitant to hire an attorney for their family law-related legal needs, whether due to cost concerns, because they believe their matter is simple enough to handle without the assistance of legal counsel, or for other reasons. 

While it’s true that you are not required to hire a lawyer, it is also true that doing so can provide a number of valuable advantages to your case, such as:

• Legal expertise in a specific area of the law; 
• Objective counsel and guidance to help you make informed decisions based on raw information rather than emotions; 
• Zealous advocacy on your behalf; 
• Negotiation skills to help you reach a favorable settlement where possible; and 
• Preparation for and representation in court when necessary to protect your rights. 

In short, having an attorney on your side can provide you with not only invaluable legal skills and knowledge but also greater peace of mind during a complicated and stressful process. 

What Sets The Larson Law Office Apart

Even after you’ve decided that you want to hire an attorney, it’s important to select someone who will be the right fit for you and your legal needs. However, with so many family lawyers out there, narrowing down your options can feel like an uphill battle. 

At The Larson Law Office, we recognize the importance of finding a law firm you can trust with something as precious as your family. As you weigh your options, here are a few reasons why we think we would be a great fit for you: 

• Family law is one of our primary areas of focus, so you can feel confident knowing that we have the background and experience necessary to effectively fight for your rights; 
• We have earned an AV® Preeminent™ rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer rating for professional excellence available; 
• Our attorneys have been recognized as Houston Top Lawyers in both Houstonia Magazine and H Texas Magazine; 
• We are an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating for ten straight years; and 
• We pride ourselves on providing personalized and individually tailored service to each of our clients throughout every step of the legal process. 

If you’re still not sure whether The Larson Law Office is right for you, that’s okay. Give us a call to discuss your case and how we can be of service to you in more detail with no obligation at all.

Tomball Family Law Services We Provide

At The Larson Office, we provide a variety of family law services to our clients in and around the Houston metro area. Below are just a few examples of the services we provide to give you a better sense of how our team can help you. 

Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

Marital relationships are at the core of many families. And although you may enter into a marriage with someone you trust wholeheartedly, there are still ways you can better protect yourself and your family against the unexpected. One way to do so is through the use of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. 

Our attorneys can help you draft, review, or modify these agreements to protect your property and financial interests.

Divorce

Nobody enters into a marriage expecting that it will end. However, this is always a possibility. In fact, according to recent data from the National Center for Health Statistics, there were 1.4 divorces per 1,000 residents in the State of Texas in 2021. 

Divorces can be time-consuming, contentious, and complex. Fortunately, you don’t have to go through it alone. At The Larson Law Office, our attorneys have handled nearly every aspect of a Texas divorce, including: 

• Contested and uncontested divorce,
• Marital property division,
• Characterization and valuation of marital assets,
• Protection of separate property,
• Spousal support, and 
• Protection and restraining orders. 

With so much on your plate already, let one of our attorneys take the lead as you navigate through this emotional process. 

Family Law Cases Involving Children

When children are involved, having legal representation can become even more crucial. Our attorneys can assist with numerous children-related  issues, such as: 

• Child custody, child support, and visitation; 
• Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCR); 
• Enforcement and modification of child custody, support, and visitation orders; 
• Child relocation and geographic restrictions of residency; 
• International custody matters; and 
• Establishing or contesting paternity. 

Legal matters involving children can have lasting impacts on your life and that of your child. Thus, consider speaking with an attorney who can help you effectively pursue and protect your legal rights to the fullest extent of the law. 

Work with a Tomball Family Law Attorney You Can Trust 

Family law cases are often some of the most difficult and personal types of legal matters. Thus, it’s imperative that you find someone you can trust to handle your case with the care, compassion, and attention it deserves. 

When you hire The Larson Law Office, you can feel confident knowing your case will be in capable hands. In fact, you will never get passed off to a legal assistant or junior attorney—rather, one of our founding attorneys will handle your case personally from start to finish. 

If you have questions about whether and how to move forward with your family law matter, The Larson Law Office is here to help. Give us a call to schedule a free consultation and see how we can help you move forward today.

Who Pays Household Bills During a Divorce?

Most people are generally familiar with how a divorce works. However, people often don’t fully realize that a divorce is much more than simply terminating a marriage on paper. Rather, it will require navigating many seemingly small—but in reality, crucial—logistical details throughout the process. One such detail that must be addressed is determining who pays household bills during a divorce before the final order has been entered. 

If you have questions about whether and to what extent you may be responsible for certain household bills and other expenses throughout your divorce, know that you are not alone. Use our guide to learn more about your rights and obligations and see how the family law and divorce attorneys at The Larson Law Office can help you move forward.  

How Are Bills Split in a Divorce: What You Need to Know

When determining who pays household bills during a divorce, the answer will ultimately depend on a variety of factors that will vary from case to case. As you prepare for what can be a complicated process, here are some things to keep in mind so you have a better idea of what you can expect. 

Types of Bills That Frequently Must Be Addressed

You and your spouse likely intertwined your finances and financial obligations throughout your marriage, as is common for most married couples. However, once you make the decision to end your marriage, your responsibility for paying your bills and expenses does not automatically end. 

Below are some common examples of joint bills and other financial obligations that a couple will usually have to address during their divorce proceedings: 

• Mortgage or rent payments, 
• Utilities, 
• Car payments, 
• Health insurance, 
• Phone bills, 
• Credit card bills, and 
• Loan payments. 

Regardless of whether one or both of your names are on a particular bill, keeping track of and making payments toward your marital financial obligations until the divorce is concluded is important. Thus, before getting too far along, keeping a running list of shared bills and expenses can be a good idea to ensure you don’t miss any.  

Temporary Orders: Determining Who Pays Household Bills During a Divorce 

In an uncontested divorce, the parties may be able to mutually and amicably agree to an arrangement on how to split financial responsibility for any bills. However, in a contested divorce, where the parties are not able to reach an agreement, you may instead need to seek the court’s assistance in making a temporary determination. This is where a temporary order can come into play. 

A temporary order is one that a court can issue while the divorce action is pending to preserve the property and protection of the parties through the divorce proceedings. Notably, however, a temporary order will be effective only until the final divorce decree has been entered. 

In a temporary order, the court can require a certain party to pay all household bills or order the parties to split them fairly and equitably. Regardless of the court’s ultimate determination, this type of temporary order can clarify the parties’ financial obligations and better ensure that the needs and well-being of the parties and their children, if any, are adequately addressed while the case is ongoing. 

Factors Affecting Who Is Responsible for Bills During a Divorce 

In determining whether and how to apportion financial responsibility for bills and other expenses, Texas courts will consider a variety of factors such as: 

• Whether any expenses were incurred prior to the marriage and belong to a particular spouse; 
• The income, earning capacity, standard of living, and financial needs of each respective spouse; 
• The existence of any financial misconduct, such as hiding assets or wrongfully spending marital funds, by either spouse; 
• Whether the couple has any children and which spouse that child will be living with during the divorce proceedings; and 
• Whether either spouse will be required to pay temporary spousal or child support to the other. 

That said, there are a number of other factors that the court might consider depending on your case’s circumstances. 

The Larson Law Office: Your Trusted Texas Divorce Attorneys

Divorce is never easy, and determining who will be financially responsible for certain bills and expenses throughout the process can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, however, you don’t have to go through this process on your own. 

At The Larson Law Office, Erik and Diana have been each practicing for over 25 years.. From temporary orders to post-judgment modifications and everything in between, our family law attorneys have seen a lot  when it comes to the Texas divorce process. Thus, we’re confident that we have the experience necessary to help you effectively fight for and protect your rights. 

If you have questions about your potential financial responsibility while your divorce is pending, give our team a call. Let’s discuss your case and see how we can help you move forward today. 

FAQs

Is the Primary Earner Always Responsible For the Bills During a Divorce?

No, the primary earner will not always be financially responsible for paying the bills during the pendency of a Texas divorce. While this is certainly a possible outcome, often, the parties may be required to split financial responsibility. In reality, the answer will vary widely from case to case and will ultimately depend on the specific facts of the case and the financial circumstances of each party. 

What Happens If I Violate a Temporary Order to Pay Bills During Our Divorce?

It’s important to remember that even a temporary order is a formal order of the court. Violating any court order can result in severe consequences, including being held in contempt of court, which can result in fines and even jail time in some cases. Thus, if you are ordered to pay certain bills during the pendency of your divorce, be sure to comply. If you can no longer do so due to a recent change in circumstances, call our team to discuss your options for seeking a modification of the order. 

Is a Temporary Order the Same Thing as a Temporary Restraining Order? 

No, although they sound similar, a temporary order and a temporary restraining order are two different things. A temporary order allows the court to address certain matters temporarily until the divorce has been finalized. Conversely, a temporary restraining order (TRO) is an emergency measure that allows the court to restrict certain actions by a party for a limited period of time, typically only 14 days, until the court can hold a hearing to determine a more permanent solution.