| DIVORCE Preparing for divorce is one of the most stressful situations that families can endure. It is a time when you need the assistance of a sympathetic and knowledgeable lawyer who can inform you of your rights and aggressively pursue them. The law office of Denise Williams will sit down with you, evaluate your case and advise you of your options. I understand the important matters related to divorce and I am familiar with the Texas family law court system. I have the experience and knowledge to mediate divorce settlements or pursue litigation to completion in divorce court. If you have legal concerns regarding divorce, Contact Us today - 713-914-0700. Divorce - An Overview Contemplating divorce is always difficult. Whether you are sure you want to end your marriage or are still considering your options, it helps to learn the basics of divorce law and process. Should you conclude that divorce is necessary, it is very important that you seek the assistance of an experienced family law attorney. Involving a knowledgeable family law attorney as soon as possible in the divorce process is one of the best ways to preserve your own long-term financial and emotional health. Grounds for Divorce A divorce is a method of terminating a marriage contract between two individuals. From a legal standpoint, a divorce will give each person the legal right to marry someone else, divide the couple's assets and debts and determine the future care and custody of their children. While each state has individual statutes that address these issues differently, the basic principles the states follow when considering requests for divorce are relatively uniform. Division of Property When there is little or no marital property, no children, no issues of alimony or spousal maintenance, amicable spouses can usually obtain a quick divorce. Most divorces, however, are quite different and far more complex. The typical divorce involves a union of many years with considerable marital property, both personal property and real estate, children, family businesses, large or concealed debts, trust funds, real estate in other states, joint and separate accounts, investments, insurance, pensions, and other assets. In these complex situations, the parties often cannot divide their property on their own and therefore may require court involvement for its ultimate division. Questions to Ask During Divorce Considering whether you should end your marriage is one of the most important and difficult decisions you will ever encounter. It is important to approach the question from a rational perspective rather than solely an emotional one. In many ways it is a business decision that requires you to evaluate many issues. Once you review this list of questions, you may rethink the direction you are headed, or you will be better prepared to move forward while working with an attorney. How to Move On Recovering from a divorce is similar to the grieving process one experiences when a loved one dies. There are five stages in the process: shock and denial, anger, ambivalence, depression and recovery. Many people expect to work through these stages one after the other, but that isn't usually how it happens. You can expect to move in and out of each phase over time and sometimes experience more than one phase at the same time. It is a difficult process and time consuming. Family counselors advise it may take as long as two years to fully recover. An Amicable Divorce Divorce is one of the most emotional experiences a person will ever face. The decision to end a marriage is not an easy one and is often accompanied with anger, fear, and resentment. The negative emotions associated with divorce are responsible for more than hurt feelings; they affect the final outcome of settlement negotiations. Most important, if children are involved, they will suffer. It is in your best interest to approach divorce from an amicable perspective. This will allow you to put on your business hat, which is critical for reaching a successful settlement. It will also allow you to put on your effective parent hat, which is critical for helping your children through this difficult process. Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce Q: What is a legal divorce? A: A divorce is a method of terminating a marriage contract between two individuals. From a legal standpoint, your divorce will give each person the legal right to marry someone else, it will legally divide the couple's assets and debts, and determine the care and custody of their children. Each state addresses these issues differently, but there are some relatively uniform standards. Each state does have some type of "no fault" divorce laws that can significantly simplify the divorce process. Q: What is a no fault divorce? A: Traditionally, divorce was granted on the basis of some marital misconduct such as adultery or physical abuse. In these cases the "guilty" spouse was punished by getting a smaller share of the couple's property or being denied custody of their children while the "innocent" spouse was rewarded for being faithful to the vows of marriage. In a no fault divorce, however, both parties agree that there is no "fault" involved in the grounds for divorce. In fact, any misconduct is irrelevant to the divorce proceedings. A marriage can be terminated simply because the couple agrees that it is no longer salvageable. Please note that states' laws differ on the issue of fault or no fault divorce. Among the 50 states, 15 provide no fault divorce as their residents' only choice; residents of other states may pursue fault based or no fault divorce. Q: What is a fault-based divorce? A: A "fault" divorce is one in which one party blames the other for the failure of the marriage by citing a legal wrong. Grounds for fault can include adultery, physical or mental cruelty, desertion, alcohol or drug abuse, insanity, impotence or infecting the other spouse with a venereal disease. |
Copyright © 2006 by Denise Williams. All rights reserved. You may reproduce materials available at this site for your own personal use and for non-commercial distribution. All copies must include this copyright statement. |
THE LAW OFFICE OF DENISE WILLIAMS 6001 Savoy, Suite 512 Houston, TX 77036 Office: 713-914-0963 Fax: 713-334-3270 |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| The information provided in this website is offered for informational purposes only; it is not offered as and does not constitute legal advice. Replies to e-mail messages, if any, will be from a licensed attorney but will be general in nature and will not form an attorney-client relationship. Be aware that the confidentiality of information sent over the internet may not be legally or otherwise protected. |
Family Law Adoptions Child Abuse - Victim Child Custody and Visitation Child Support Divorce Domestic Violence Enforcement of Decrees Family Law Guardianship Mediation Military Family Issues Name Changes Paternity Prenuptial Agreements Restraining Orders Separations Spousal Support or Alimony State Child Protection |
| The information provided in this website is offered for informational purposes only; it is not offered as and does not constitute legal advice. Replies to e-mail messages, if any, will be from a licensed attorney but will be general in nature and will not form an attorney-client relationship. Be aware that the confidentiality of information sent over the internet may not be legally or otherwise protected. This FirmSite® is designed and hosted by Xavier Burke Jr. |
THE LAW OFFICE OF DENISE WILLIAMS 6001 Savoy, Suite 512 Houston, TX 77036 Office: 713-914-0700 Fax: 713-914-0963 |