What to Expect When It Comes to Divorce
Making the decision to file for divorce is never an easy one, whether you’re serving the papers or not. There is a lot of time, effort, and emotions that get invested in a marriage — especially one that has lasted a few years. In many cases, children are also involved. It’s important that, when considering filing for divorce, you fully understand what to expect from the divorce process. It can occasionally be a long road.
At Robert J. Anderson PLLC, we take our divorce cases seriously and handle them with care. We know that you may already be emotionally exhausted, so we want to do everything we can to ease the burden of a divorce. In today’s blog, we’ll fill you in on everything you need to know about the process of filing for divorce and what to expect.
Divorce isn’t something that you need to face on your own. By contacting the divorce lawyers at Robert J. Anderson PLLC in Dallas, you’ll be working with someone who has you and your family’s best interests in mind. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
File a Petition
The first step in the divorce process is to file a Petition for Divorce. This petition is typically written by one spouse and served to the other. The document must be filed in a state court in the county where one of the spouses lives.
The petition includes information such as the names of both spouses, any children that they may have together, and a reason for the filing. Once it has been filed, the documents are served to the responding party or the other spouse. Most people hire an officer of the court or member of the local sheriff’s office to serve the papers. Your spouse will then have 30 days to hire an attorney and respond to the original petition.
Contested vs. Uncontested Divorce
Once your petition for divorce is delivered, your spouse can contest the divorce by responding “yes” to the petition. When this happens, legal counsel is advised to help guide you through the process. This is the time to reach out to the divorce lawyers at Robert J. Anderson PLLC to help.
An uncontested divorce is relatively straightforward — it means that you and your spouse are able to agree on terms without the help of a divorce lawyer.
Negotiations
In a contested divorce, the next step in the process is deciding how to divide assets among the two of you. During these negotiations, it can be helpful to have a divorce lawyer on your side that can help advise you on your best options. These assets include community property like your house and belongings, or child custody situations and more.
It’s common during this stage of the divorce process for arguments to ensue, which is why hiring a divorce lawyer may help keep the situation from getting messy. Call the divorce lawyers at Robert J. Anderson PLLC to make an appointment today.
Divorce Court
Divorce court is not always a necessary step in the divorce process. If you and your spouse are able to negotiate the terms of your divorce peacefully, you can avoid the long and exhausting process of divorce court. However, if you have trouble coming to an agreement, the divorce must be taken to court and terms must be decided by a judge.
In a few cases where disputes cannot be resolved, a divorce settlement may not only be taken to court, but to trial as well.
Hire a Top Rated Local® Divorce Lawyer in Dallas
If you’re thinking of filing for divorce or you already have and you need a lawyer, contact the team at Robert J. Anderson PLLC. Our divorce lawyers are ready to work with you and have your best interests in mind when it comes to negotiating and finalizing your divorce settlement.
We know how a divorce can take its toll on your time, energy, and emotions, and we’re here to help. Let us be the advocate in your corner so that you can move on with your life as quickly and easily as possible. Call our team today to learn more.