Divorce can be an emotionally draining and stressful experience. Despite a positive outlook, you may have feelings of anguish. It is important to seek advice from the right people, and while your family and friends can offer support, you should consider seeking legal counsel from an attorney. There is a cooling-off period of 60 days in Texas, which is the minimum time required to finalize a divorce. In the real world, divorces can take much longer. Here are some tips to reduce your stress.
- Get a lawyer. Hiring a divorce lawyer in Houston doesn’t have to be expensive. Family lawyers charge an hourly rate, and if you can come to an agreement with your spouse on key matters, a lawyer even charge a flat fee. Lawyers know what it takes to mediate and are capable of handling the complex paperwork. If you don’t want to deal with the turbulent times alone, you should get a lawyer on your side.
- Communicate with your spouse. While no one can stop you from seeking a divorce, your spouse can delay the process if they want. If communicating directly with your spouse seems like a problem, let your attorney do the talking. When two lawyers are discussing the key aspects, you can expect an acceptable resolution sooner.
- Keep your kids out of the divorce. Eventually, the divorce will impact your kids to an extent. However, do not engage the kids when it comes to the legal battle. Do not share your frustrations with them, and do not say anything unpleasant about your spouse. This will help you cope with the circumstances better.
- Retain a flexible approach. If you want to get everything in a divorce, you will be disappointed. Yes, you have your rights and should get your share of assets and properties, but you may have to settle for less than what you had imagined. Keep in mind that the longer you fight the legal battle, the more you have to pay the lawyer.
- Don’t deal with the paperwork. When you know nothing about family law in Texas, you shouldn’t handle the divorce-related paperwork. Let the attorney manage the documents and review every paper you sign. They can prevent mistakes that can otherwise delay the process or cause unwanted friction.
You can hire a divorce lawyer through an online search. Top law firms in Houston have websites with relevant contact details and info about their attorneys.