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As summer fades into fall, Houston sees a hopeful shift in the battle against COVID-19, with a decline in community transmission, hospitalizations, and positive test rates, according to health experts at the Texas Medical Center. However, for many, this transition signals the start of another difficult chapter: divorce during quarantine. While the pandemic may have provided some relief in terms of health, it has simultaneously brought unique challenges to relationships. Navigating divorce during this time presents additional hurdles, making it crucial to understand the complexities involved and how to approach the process in a way that minimizes stress and supports your future well-being.
Despite the uncertainties and challenges of the pandemic, recent months have brought about encouraging developments, marking progress in our collective efforts to curb the virus’s spread. Regardless of personal opinions on government measures and pandemic-related policies, the improving situation offers a glimmer of hope as we navigate these unprecedented times.
From the outset of the pandemic, one of the things that had changed for us the most was that the local government ordered us to stay home and safe. Whether or not these methods of attacking the virus will prove successful is a different question. What we do know is that all of our lives were changed to 1 degree or another as a result of these stay-at-home orders. Instead of going to work, going to restaurants, sporting events, and other locations, the vast majority of us spent more time than ever at home. Most of us who lead somewhat busy lives may have been happy, in some ways, to have more time at home and to see our lives slow down.
Navigating marriage challenges amidst quarantine
As months passed and stay-at-home orders continued, people grew fatigued and less compliant. Spending more time at home, couples faced their relationship challenges daily, which could either exacerbate issues or lead to resolutions.
The coronavirus could have strengthened your marriage. I’m at home presenting you all with ample opportunity to communicate more frequently about your problems and present you with the time necessary to try and improve a newer relationship. On the other hand, if you did not have a concrete plan for bettering your marriage and instead put off having these difficult conversations with your spouse as you had been up until the beginning of the pandemic, you likely did not see your marriage improve one bit. Keep in mind that relationships don’t stay the same over long periods. Our relationships with one another are either improving or getting worse.
So, as we head into our 9th month of the pandemic it indeed is the case that the time spent at home could have either shown itself to be a positive for you and your spouse or something of a negative. Suppose your marriage with problems has now turned into a marriage headed towards divorce. In that case, you need to begin to act intentionally regarding the changing circumstances and dynamics of your wedding and family life. Instead of sitting idly by and letting the divorce happen to you, you should take concrete steps toward learning about divorce after this period of quarantine and figuring out how to respond to the issues of your case.
What should you do after you are served with divorce papers?
This is an immediate question that you asked yourself as soon as the stranger handed you official-looking legal-type documents. Once you found out that a divorce was on your horizon, you had many options before you. The paths of least resistance were to toss the original divorce petition aside and deal with it later or use the paperwork as a coaster on your coffee table. While pushing unpleasant things to the back burner may appeal to some of you, I cannot advise if this is a great idea. Instead, once you are served with divorce papers, you need to ask yourself almost immediately.
Ask yourself: do you need an attorney for your divorce? If you were served with divorce papers, your spouse likely has legal representation. In such cases, having an attorney, regardless of the perceived simplicity of your divorce, is crucial. Facing a represented spouse puts you at a disadvantage in terms of procedural understanding and negotiation power, making legal representation highly advisable.
If you have children, you should undoubtedly hire an attorney even if your spouse does not yet have one. Issues regarding children can become complex, and when you are trying to negotiate through subject matter related to divorce and your kids, it is best to have someone guiding you in this process. You do not want to make mistakes associated with your children and end up with a visitation schedule or conservatorship rights that are inappropriate for your case. at worst, hiring a family law attorney is a short-term investment that can be a long-term dividend. At best, an attorney can save you a great deal of money, help to ensure that you have a strong relationship with your children after the divorce, and keep you from making many mistakes during the case.
How do you even talk to an attorney?
There are two aspects of this question that I would like to discuss in today’s blog post. The first involves how you talk to an attorney during a pandemic. At this stage in the game, people fall into one of several categories regarding their behavior. One group that I have noticed in our area and across the country has seemingly not left their homes other than for essential things over the past nine months and is generally more worried about becoming ill. Those folks are hesitant to be in public and typically expose themselves to the virus, and I suppose others.
On the other hand, those of us take precautions to keep ourselves and our families safe. Still, we are otherwise more comfortable going into public, eating at restaurants, going to church, and doing things of that nature. Weighing risk and reward is something we do daily and have always done. People in this category tend to take precautions but more or less function as usual despite the heightened risks during an era of pandemics. With this backdrop, we can discuss how to consult your divorce with an attorney no matter what camp you fall into.
Legal consultations during COVID-19
If you’re being cautious due to the virus, rest assured that our attorneys offer virtual or phone consultations daily. This practice isn’t new to us; we’ve been doing it for years, serving clients worldwide, including military personnel, Americans abroad, and Texans living elsewhere. We’re highly experienced in virtual business dealings.
On the other hand, our office also handles client consultations in person, as we always have done and will continue to do after the pandemic subsides. Our office takes great pride in maintaining safety for our clients, ourselves, our families, and potential clients such as yourself. Please get in touch with our office today to learn more about how we can help you schedule an appointment with one of our attorneys and how we are taking reasonable steps to keep everyone in our office safe from harm and healthy as we head into 2021.
The second part of the question regarding how you talk to an attorney centers around how to actually speak with a lawyer face to face or virtually about your case. Many of you have never spoken with an attorney in person and think that lawyers use big words, read thick books, and are difficult to converse with. Let me be the first to tell you that he trains with our office are professional and experienced practitioners of family law. Still, I’m very down to earth, easy to talk to and understanding of your circumstances. You do not need to have an in-depth knowledge of family law to speak with one of our attorneys about your case.
Isn’t going into court dangerous right now?
The other major issue that I would think many of you have is regarding the safety of going to a courthouse at the moment. From the beginning of the pandemic, we’ve been told to avoid groups of people and especially groups of people in indoor settings. As such, a place like a courthouse would seem to be a difficult spot as far as the transmissibility of an airborne virus. How can you file for divorce and keep yourself safe knowing that a family court visit may be in your future?
The first thing to keep in mind is that the courts have done everything they can to not only keep their facilities clean but minimize the number of persons who have to come in and out of the courthouse each day. While it is unavoidable in the sense that the courtrooms will have people in them other than you and your attorney, that does not mean that the building itself is as complete as it typically is. Virtual hearings, employees working from home, and staggered hearing settings limit the number of people at the courthouse daily.
In conclusion, divorce during quarantine presents its own set of challenges, but understanding the unique circumstances and preparing for them can make a significant difference. While the pandemic may have altered the way we approach life and relationships, it doesn’t have to dictate the outcome of your divorce. With the right legal support, clear communication, and a focus on your long-term well-being, you can navigate the complexities of divorce during these unprecedented times. By addressing issues early on and prioritizing what matters most—your future and your family’s stability—you can successfully transition to the next chapter of your life.
Questions about the material contained in today’s blog post? Contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan
If you have any questions about the material contained in today’s blog post, please do not hesitate to contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan. Our licensed family law attorneys offer free-of-charge consultation six days a week in person, over the phone, and via video. These consultations are an excellent way for you to learn more about the world of Texas family law and the services that our law office can provide to you and your family as clients.
Other Related Articles:
1. Quarantined with Your Ex: How do You Cope When You Live with Someone You Despise?
2. Surviving Marriage During the Coronavirus Quarantine
3. Divorce during coronavirus: Will splits soar after pandemic quarantines end?
4. Ways a Self-Quarantine During COVID-19 Could Help You in Divorce
5. Virtual Mediations in a Post-COVID-19 World
6. 6 Tips – On How to Prepare for a Texas Divorce
7. Can I have my attorney’s fees paid by my spouse?
8. What do you want to get out of settlement negotiations in your Texas divorce?
9. Five most common myths about Divorce in Texas
10. How to protect your rights and yourself from false allegations in a divorce
