Divorce is tough enough without the whole world knowing your business. We’ve all seen those messy celebrity splits splashed across the tabloids, right? Think Jeff Bezos, Kanye and Kim…
Even if you are not a high-profile celebrity, you probably don’t want your personal life on display – and you can absolutely keep the details of your divorce private in Texas. Divorce is stressful and emotional, and the last thing you need is your dirty laundry aired for everyone to see.
While divorce proceedings are generally a matter of public record, there are steps you can take to shield sensitive information and maintain a level of discretion throughout the process.
In this blog, the family law attorneys at C.E. Borman & Associates in Bryan, Texas delve into the strategies and legal tools available to Texans who want to keep their divorce as private as possible. From sealing specific documents to exploring alternative dispute resolution methods, we’ll cover it all.
Steps to making your divorce private in Texas
If you live in Texas it’s actually easier to make your divorce private and seal all or sensitive documents. According to Texas rule of civil procedure 76a:
“Documents presumed to be open to the general public may be sealed only upon a showing of all of the following… any probable adverse effect that sealing will have upon the general public health or safety.”
This means you just have to prove that the sealing of the record will not have an adverse effect on public health or safety, and the records do not involve matters that should be available to the general public.
If you are serious about keeping your divorce private and out of the public eye here are some of the additional steps that you can take to protect yourself, your family, and your business.
1. Documents can be marked as sensitive
As you work through your divorce your Texas divorce attorney can mark certain documents as sensitive information. Your lawyer would need to include a notation saying, “This document contains sensitive information or data.” You can even do this for all documents that include information such as your address, social security number, and driver’s license number. This is extremely helpful to protect you against theft.
2. Conceal your identity
In divorce records, your lawyer does not have to include things such as your bank account information, your date of birth, your full name, etc. Many high-profile clients or celebrities will use just an initial or a mark instead of their full name to help conceal their identity. As long as you sign the same way throughout all the divorce proceedings, you don’t have to be a high-profile celebrity to conceal your identity.
3. Request a protective order
Along with your Texas divorce attorney, you can file a motion, a Protective Order, or a Confidentiality Order. In this Order, you can list everything that you would like to keep confidential. Couples do not have to agree under the law in Texas for a Protective Order.
4. Sealing of all records for a private divorce in Texas
As mentioned above, you can seal all records under Rule 76a – Sealing Court Records. You can request the entire divorce to become a private divorce in Texas. In high-profile cases, you can also include a confidentiality clause in addition to sealing all divorce documents. This helps to prevent any details of the divorce from being released to the public by the couple – or by any outside parties. It is important to note that this is also something that can be included in a prenup agreement.
In addition, to further protect your divorce, your court hearing, and court decisions, you can opt to hire a private judge, meaning all your divorce proceedings will be held privately outside of a traditional courtroom by a judge of your choosing. Because the courts are technically open to the general public, utilizing a public judge means you will have less privacy and flexibility in scheduling.
Our team of divorce lawyers has years of experience supporting clients through varying divorce matters and can help advise you on whether a private or public judge is better suited for your situation.
Contact the Divorce Lawyers at C.E. Borman & Associates in Bryan, Texas
Remember, you don’t have to be a celebrity to value your privacy during a divorce. By using the strategies we’ve outlined – from sealing documents to seeking protective orders – you can maintain control over who has access to your personal information.
At C.E. Borman & Associates, we understand the importance of discretion during this sensitive time. Our experienced team is ready to guide you through the process, ensuring your divorce remains as private as possible. Your privacy is our priority. Contact us online today.
