Compassionate Guidance From Dependable Divorce Attorneys

Are you required to have a lawyer to divorce in Texas? No. But, unless you are a qualified professional, going through the divorce process without a family law attorney can create problems that will haunt your future. It is not enough to hire any family law lawyer. You need a Texas attorney who is capable of delivering results.

Lackey Law Firm, P.C., is staffed with experienced attorneys who understand the challenges of divorce. You will have consistent communication during your case so that you can get answers to your questions and understand how your case is progressing.

The attorneys at Lackey Law Firm, P.C., provide valuable legal assistance for spouses filing for divorce. Equipped with years of experience, they are prepared to guide you in the settlement process, or fight for your rights in court with your future in mind.

Match The Right Divorce Methods To Your Goals

There are several types of divorce cases in Texas, including:

• Collaborative divorce: Parties collaborate to negotiate and settle their differences without litigation. Although the parties might not agree on everything at all times, the collaborative divorce process can facilitate the parties reaching agreements on issues such as spousal support, custody, property division and child support.
• Contested divorce: Either party disputes one or more issues of the case, and a court determination is required to resolve the matters.
• Uncontested divorce: Both spouses work together to cooperatively dissolve their marriage and reach an agreement on issues in the case, which can include the informal settlement, mediation or collaborative divorce processes.
• At-fault divorce: There are claims in the divorce that a spouse has caused the divorce. The court can grant a divorce in favor of one spouse on grounds such as cruelty, adultery, abandonment, living apart or confinement in a mental hospital.
• No-fault divorce: The ground for divorce is that the marriage has become insupportable because of discord or conflict of personalities that destroy the legitimate ends of the marital relationship and prevents any reasonable expectation of reconciliation.
• Default divorce: The court grants the divorce after one spouse fails to respond to the filing of the other spouse after a certain period has passed, and several conditions have been met.

You deserve an attorney who listens to your needs and keeps you updated on the status of your case. You can expect compassionate and personalized legal services when you hire attorney Alicia Lackey to be your advocate. Alicia Lackey has significant experience in divorce and many other types of cases related to family law.

Understanding The Divorce Process In Texas

When going through a divorce, it is common to have concerns about various aspects of the process. The attorneys of Lackey Law Firm, P.C., can help you understand the divorce process, file the necessary paperwork and negotiate with the other party to reach a settlement. They can help you with some of the most common issues that come with divorce, such as:

• Separate property: Texas is a community property state, meaning property acquired during the marriage is generally considered community property and subject to division. However, separate property, such as property acquired before the marriage or through inheritance or gift, is typically not subject to division. The attorneys at Lackey Law Firm, P.C., can help you identify and properly classify separate property to ensure it is protected in the divorce.
• Child custody and support: Texas law prioritizes the best interests of the child when making decisions about custody and support. Our attorneys can help you understand the factors considered when making these decisions and work with you to develop a plan in your child’s best interests.
• Retirement and bank accounts: Dividing retirement accounts can be stressful. While these assets can often be in the category of community property, there are some exceptions. The skilled lawyers at Lackey Law Firm, P.C., help you understand how retirement and bank accounts will be divided in the divorce.
• Impact of who files: In Texas, the person who files for divorce is referred to as the Petitioner, and the responding party is referred to as the Respondent. The Petitioner may have some advantages. Lackey Law Firm can discuss the pros and cons of filing versus responding based on the specific facts and circumstances in your unique case.
• Hidden assets: The attorneys at Lackey Law Firm, P.C., may help you find hidden assets the other party may own. Hidden assets may include money, property or other assets the other party has not disclosed.

It is essential to have experienced support during a divorce so that you know what to expect and how to approach issues as they arise.

Considerations For Highly Contested Divorces

Sometimes, you do not realize a divorce is going to be as complex or as highly contested as it turns out to be. Other times, you know from the start that there will be trouble. You can often anticipate a highly contentious divorce process when there are:

• High-value assets and complex financial situations: A lot of assets, complex financial portfolios, business interests or investments can make property division difficult.
• Child custody disputes: Emotions run high when children are involved, and determining the best interests of the child can be a challenging process.
• Allegations of abuse or neglect: Accusations of domestic violence, child abuse or neglect can significantly increase the conflict in a divorce case.
• Personality disorders or mental health issues: When one spouse has mental health issues or a personality disorder, that may affect decision-making and negotiations.
• Lack of cooperation and communication: There has to be at least some willingness on both sides to cooperate with negotiations to make them work.
• Multiple experts involved: In some cases, divorces may involve the need for various experts, such as forensic accountants, business valuators or child psychologists.
• Hidden assets or financial misconduct: If one spouse suspects the other of hiding assets or engaging in financial misconduct, it can lead to a very adversarial divorce.

In a contentious proceeding, the discovery and investigation of such issues can also prolong the legal proceedings (and cost more). There may be numerous petitions that have to be filed with the court, and the court may insist that you try to resolve things through negotiations before ultimately proceeding to trial. In the end, the verdict decided by the court may not be what either spouse desires.

Even a difficult divorce can be resolved out of court with the right legal guidance. The attorneys at Lackey Law Firm, P.C., understand what makes a divorce highly contested, and they also know how to work through many of the issues that would otherwise go to litigation.

Schedule A Consultation To Evaluate Your Case

The lawyers at Lackey Law Firm, P.C., can help you pursue a fresh start through a divorce. Call 808-470-8977 today or fill out an online contact form to schedule a consultation at our offices located in Fredericksburg, New Braunfels, Austin, The Woodlands and Corpus Christi.*

Suggested Reading

How long does it take to go through a divorce?

How may a divorce affect my retirement plans?

Is separation of assets in Texas divorce equal?

The differences between fault-based and no-fault divorce in Texas

Should you share your divorce on social media?

*Main office is located in Austin, Texas. All office locations are staffed by appointment only.