DIVORCE

Divorce is an inherently demanding and complex process. Whether you and your spouse find common ground on all aspects or anticipate a protracted legal battle, emotions are bound to be intense.

For this reason, enlisting the services of an experienced divorce attorney who serves the College Station area is absolutely vital. Navigating the intricacies of divorce involves legal complexities and potential pitfalls, which can be especially challenging to handle amidst the emotional turmoil.

At C.E. Borman, we have extensive experience in guiding our clients through this intricate journey. We provide straightforward, candid advice to help safeguard their rights and prioritize their families’ well-being.

To initiate divorce proceedings in Texas, one spouse must have been a resident of the state for a minimum of 6 months, with at least 90 days of residency in the specific county where the filing occurs.

Meeting these residency criteria allows you to pursue either a no-fault or fault-based divorce.

A no-fault divorce does not necessitate proving fault for the separation. To pursue a no-fault divorce, you must establish either of the following grounds:

• Insupportability of the marriage, indicating that irreconcilable differences or conflicts render the marriage unsustainable.
• Living apart, meaning that the spouses have maintained separate residences for a minimum of 3 years.

Alternatively, you have the option to file for a fault-based divorce in Texas, requiring one spouse to substantiate the other’s detrimental actions as the cause for the separation. Fault-based grounds for divorce encompass:

• Cruelty
• Adultery
• Felony conviction
• Abandonment
• Confinement to a mental hospital for at least 3 years

It’s important to note that fault divorces are generally more costly, time-consuming, and challenging to prove.

Once the prerequisites are met and the divorce is filed, you must address the contentious matters between you and your spouse.

An uncontested divorce is a situation where both spouses concur on the disputed issues, such as property division and child custody. Uncontested divorces are typically quicker, less expensive, and more straightforward to resolve.

Conversely, if disagreements persist regarding any of these issues, it constitutes a contested divorce. Common points of contention encompass:

• Division of property
• Child custody
• Child support
• Spousal support, or alimony

To finalize the divorce, resolution of these issues is imperative. You have several options to consider:

• Private resolution of disagreements
• Negotiation through legal representation
• Mediation
• Trial (litigation)

Mediation involves an impartial third party, a mediator, assisting in identifying areas of agreement to facilitate conflict resolution. Mediators do not render judgments but guide individuals in reaching their own decisions and compromises.

In numerous Texas counties, mediation is mandatory prior to the final divorce hearing. Even when mediation isn’t obligatory, judges might mandate it, particularly for resolvable disagreements. The mediation process often proves effective in resolving seemingly insurmountable disputes.

At CE Borman, we offer unwavering support throughout the entire process. Leveraging our extensive experience in Texas family law, we are dedicated to staunchly advocating for our clients’ interests.

We can help you with initiating the filing, serving your spouse, and identifying all contested issues requiring resolution. We’re also ready to help you create a strategy for issue resolution. If mutual agreement or mediation is feasible, we facilitate negotiations, engage a third-party mediator, and navigate the necessary documentation.

In instances where mediation fails to yield resolution, we prepare for litigation. When courtroom representation is required, we step up without hesitation.