Yesterday we introduced a topic that is an important one in my opinion, namely, popular myths that if believed could harm you during your divorce. Specifically, I noted that myths and untruths couldn’t harm you all that much if you have an attorney but if you are trying to represent yourself then that is not the case. The things you don’t know and the things that you know that aren’t true can all come back to bite you in the rear end when your divorce is all said and done.
Today we will continue along our track of providing you with a whole lot of truth and some commentary about those truths. Specifically, we will discuss topics ranging from the reasons why you can get a divorce in Texas to just how much fighting goes on in a typical Texas divorce.
Divorce is a battlefield no matter what
You and your spouse are probably not too happy with one another if you are considering a divorce. I realize that this is not a super profound statement but it is true nonetheless. Something has caused one of you, perhaps both of you, to want to move towards divorce. The reasons could be anything under the sun but the overall point I am trying to make is your anger/mistrust/apathy has you on the verge of ending your marriage. It is reasonable to conclude, then, that a war of words is about to ensue, right?
Not necessarily. Most divorces are not full-on, drag-out mudslinging events that we see in movies and television. Those folks want drama, excitement, and anything else that captures the imagination and attention of us as the viewing public. The reality is that divorces are usually pretty straightforward and rarely see the inside of a courtroom.
That’s not to say that divorces are all easy and never end up having awkward or personal moments. This is a marriage that we are talking about so all sorts of emotion/history/relational aspects will need to be sorted through before the case is over with. However, the process is long and pushes you both towards settlement rather than courtroom battles. If it is drama and fighting that you expect in your divorce then you will likely be left disappointed.
Take mediation, for example. Mediation is a process by which you and your spouse mutually agree to a third-party attorney who will help you and your spouse settle the outstanding (yet to be settled) issues in your case. This process takes a half-day in most cases and sees the mediator act like a ping pong ball- bouncing in between you and your spouse (who are in different rooms) to settle. The judge in your case will likely require that you mediate your case at least twice before coming in to see him or her. Your case likely will be less about fighting and more about finding a middle ground.
Your teenagers get to choose who they live with
This is a rumor that people who are seeking attorneys hear about as well. The most popular notion that I have heard about this idea is that once a child reaches age 13 the child has a right to talk to the judge about which parent he or she wants to live with primarily. With this untruth in mind, parents will come in to talk to me with full confidence that their child is going to end up living with him or her based on the aforementioned myth.
For context, understand that judges make decisions regarding children based on what is in their best interests. There is no standard in the Texas Family Code for what is in the best interest of a child so each judge creates their subjective interpretation with a few guiding principles mixed in.
The actual legal standard is that a child can speak to the judge about this issue if a parent files a motion to have the child do so. If the child is over the age of 12 the judge must allow for this to occur. If the child is under the age of 12 it is up to the judge to determine if the child is mature enough to do so. Either way, the judge will not be bound by the opinion of the child. He or she will use that opinion along with other evidence and circumstances to decide where your child should live primarily.
No child support means no visitation
Unfortunately, it can happen that some parents do not pay child support that they have been ordered by the court to pay. This is harmful to the child, specifically, but when a parent needs this money to budget out the following weeks this can put an entire family in a bind. I have had confused parents tell me that their belief and understanding is that if their ex-spouse fails to make timely and full child support payments they can then withhold visitation with the child.
This is not true. You cannot withhold visitation from a parent who fails to make timely child support payments. By the same token, a parent cannot withhold child support simply because visitation is being withheld from him or her. The state of Texas has laws like this on the books to keep parents from using their children as bargaining chips in post-divorce battles. If your spouse does not allow you visitation with your child or is not paying you child support you would need to file an enforcement suit against him or her. Failing that, you must continue to pay your child support and must allow the other parent time with your children as ordered by the court.
Child support is optional
In almost every divorce case, the parent with whom the child does not live primarily will be ordered to pay child support. Even if you and your spouse agree to a divorce and then go about getting the divorce on your own without an attorney the judge will likely order that some child support be paid unless you can prove that doing so is not in the best interests of your child.
A divorce cannot be completed until you submit your final decree of divorce, along with other documentation to your judge. Then, you or your spouse will need to appear in front of the judge to have him or her review the documentation and formally divorce you both. If he or she does not see that child support is a part of your decree you will likely be asked questions as to why it is not. Divorces can be held up for this reason.
Child support doesn’t mean that your spouse can just choose any number out of the blue and have you ordered to pay that amount. Rather, it is a set number based on your net monthly income multiplied by a percentage (20% for one child, 25% for two, and so on up to 50%). It is one of the more straightforward parts of a divorce in most cases.
Concerned about divorce? Contact a family law attorney before moving forward
It is understandable to be worried and intimidated when it comes to divorce. These are important issues that you are going to be deciding on and can impact your family for years to come. You want to make good decisions not only for yourself but for your children.
An experienced family law attorney can help you pinpoint the specific issues that are most important to you and your family. The Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC offers free of charge consultations six days a week with licensed family law attorneys where your questions and concerns can be addressed in a comfortable environment. We take great pride in representing people in our community just like you. Thank you for your time and interest in today’s subject and we hope you will return tomorrow to learn more about Texas family law.
Ebook
![Adobe Stock 62844981[2]](/?seraph_accel_gci=wp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F09%2FAdobeStock_628449812.jpeg&n=ZoLGz1rB9EpXzbEKYFZug)
If you want to know more about what you can do, CLICK the button below to get your FREE E-book: “16 Steps to Help You Plan & Prepare for Your Texas Divorce”
![Divorce Wasting Assets[4]](/?seraph_accel_gci=wp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F09%2FDivorce-wasting-assets4.jpeg&n=sXY6yiEXD50JDzE8l8yrtA)
If you want to know more about how to prepare, CLICK the button below to get your FREE E-book: “13 Dirty Tricks to Watch Out For in Your Texas Divorce, and How to Counter Them” Today!”
Click HERE to download your free Financial Checklist!
Other Articles you may be interested in:
- Roadmap of Basic Divorce Procedure in Texas
- What are the Steps of a Contested Texas Divorce, and How can I Prepare for Them?
- Can I get child support while my Texas divorce is pending?
- 6 Mistakes that can Destroy Your Texas Divorce Case
- 6 things You Need to Know Before You File for Divorce in Texas
- Cost Cutting Tips for your Texas Divorce
- 49 Best Texas Divorce Advice Tips
- 15 Quick Tips Regarding Filing for Divorce in Texas
- 6 Tips – On How to prepare for a Texas Divorce
- 10 Texas Divorce Myths You Might Have Heard From Friends, Neighbors, and Relatives
- The Truth About Child Custody Cases in Texas: Debunking 10 Common Myths
- In Texas, is it legal for my child’s mother to keep them from me?
Bryan Fagan, a native of Atascocita, Texas, is a dedicated family law attorney inspired by John Grisham’s “The Pelican Brief.” He is the first lawyer in his family, which includes two adopted brothers. Bryan’s commitment to family is personal and professional; he cared for his grandmother with Alzheimer’s while completing his degree and attended the South Texas College of Law at night.
Married with three children, Bryan’s personal experiences enrich his understanding of family dynamics, which is central to his legal practice. He specializes in family law, offering innovative and efficient legal services. A certified member of the College of the State Bar of Texas, Bryan is part of an elite group of legal professionals committed to ongoing education and high-level expertise.
His legal practice covers divorce, custody disputes, property disputes, adoption, paternity, and mediation. Bryan is also experienced in drafting marital property agreements. He leads a team dedicated to complex family law cases and protecting families from false CPS allegations.
Based in Houston, Bryan is active in the Houston Family Law Sector of the Houston Bar Association and various family law groups in Texas. His deep understanding of family values and his professional dedication make him a compassionate advocate for families navigating Texas family law.
