Our Unique Three-Step Divorce Process Is Designed To Help You Find A Healthier Solution. With Palmer Law Group, Divorce Doesn’t Have To Be So Hard®! Let Our McKinney Divorce Attorneys Guide You To Lay The Best Foundation For Your Future. Request A Consultation Today.
Everyone who is facing divorce goes through three stages, or takes three steps, if you will.
Step 1
The first stage is deciding whether or not to actually get a divorce in the first place.
You may be asking, “Can I save my marriage? Should I save my marriage?” And those are important questions to ask – divorce will change your life, so you should only pursue it if it’s the right thing for you.
At Palmer Law Group, we have actually helped save many marriages and prevented a lot of people from getting a divorce, because we want what’s really best for you. Our “Marriage Viability Assessment” is a tool we’ve created to show you whether or not your marriage can work and give you clarity on whether you should or should not get a divorce.
Step 2
The second stage is deciding what strategies to use for your specific situation. Regardless of how you came to the decision to get divorced, you probably have a million questions. You may be asking things like:
- Who gets the house? Do we have to sell it?
- What will happen to the kids?
- What about the children’s college funds?
- How much will this cost?
- Will an attorney make things better or worse?
- Should I file first?
- What if we own a business together?
- What if I (or they) don’t have a job?
- What if they cheated?
These can be tough questions, and to make matters more complicated, everyone’s situation is different. That means that online research and even talking to family and friends you trust who have been divorced will only get you so far.
Our “Divorce Strategy Session” is another tool we’ve created to tell you what strategies are available in your specific circumstances and what strategies are the right one for you.
Our McKinney divorce attorneys can determine your likely outcomes, as well as the cost involved, reduce your fears, and tell you what you can actually expect based on our legal knowledge and professional experience handling thousands of cases!
Step 3
The third stage is to actually get the divorce – it’s all of the paperwork and communications and legal steps involved with that. We are here to support you in this stage and the ones before! Our firm believes that there is a better way to divorce, so we will do everything in our power to ensure your divorce is as smooth, healthy, and peaceful as possible.
What Is Divorce Like In Texas?
Divorce in Texas centers on four main areas:
- Property division – In Texas, the court decides what is “just and right” division of community property based on a variety of factors.
- Child custody – In Texas, there are two categories of “possession and access” and “conservatorship”.
- Spousal support – Texas’s version of alimony
- Child support – There are guidelines and many possible options, one being the “Texas Standard Possession Order”, although a custom option will likely be better for your family!
It can be difficult to make decisions about each of these areas without someone experienced and knowledgeable to guide you, which is where we come in! In each of these areas, the court would have a lot of discretion over what the final arrangements look like; that’s why we work with you to find solutions that keep your divorce out of court (if possible) and in your own hands!
The Difference With Our McKinney Divorce Attorneys
We’re not out to ruin your spouse’s life. We want something better for you! We believe that in the vast majority of cases, divorce should end the fighting, not increase it. In some cases, we do have to fight, but that’s never our preferred or first choice.
Our first choice is to find healthy, collaborative, amicable solutions. We know – because we have over 45 years of combined experience – what works and what doesn’t. We know what subtle changes can make huge differences in your life!
Yes, we have amazing litigation skills, and can dominate the courtroom, but our skills are even better used when we avoid court. If you are not sure what you want, or if you are seeking a less toxic, less stressful divorce process, we may be the firm for you! Request a consultation today to find out!
Frequently Asked Questions
How does child custody work in Texas?
If you get divorced and have kids, one of the most important parts of your divorce will be determining how much time you will spend with the children, when and how the other parent will spend time with them, who they will live with, and what rights and responsibilities you and your spouse will have during those times. Under Texas law, “possession and access” refers to physical time with the children, while “conservatorship” refers to the legal rights and duties of each parent.
We would encourage you and your spouse to work together (and our law firm can help you!) to put a customized parenting plan in place for the court to approve, rather than the court giving you one that may be a “default” or may not work well practically for your family.
What if I’m not sure if I am ready to get a divorce?
If you are not sure you want a divorce, we understand you, and we can still help you! It’s worth talking to us to find out. Our McKinney divorce attorneys have actually saved hundreds of marriages with our Marriage Viability Assessment.
This assessment has you answer a few basic questions about your marriage for yourself and your spouse, and is designed to help you feel more confident in whichever way you proceed!
Do I really need an attorney to get divorced?
Many people who are considering divorce think that they might be able to do it themselves “for free”, and that they should try it without lawyers because they don’t want things to get “messy”. However, they aren’t aware of all of the legal implications involved. They don’t really know what they are doing, because they haven’t gone to law school or handled other divorces, and there are risks for making mistakes!
Having legal representation is necessary, but it doesn’t mean an attorney will escalate the situation, or that your divorce has to be a drawn-out, extremely costly affair. Our McKinney divorce lawyers approach divorce not combatively, but collaboratively!