Ending a marriage is an emotionally stressful time and there are a lot of legal issues that need to be resolved before the divorce can be finalized. Finding a top-rated Divorce Attorney in Fort Worth, TX can help ease the stress of the process and allow you to move on with your life.
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The first step in the process is filing a petition for divorce. This is a detailed filing that contains biographical information, historical information about the marriage, establishes jurisdiction, the ground for divorce, the level of discovery and more. It is important that the filing be done properly to avoid delays and additional legal complications.
Once the petition has been filed, your spouse must be served with the paperwork. This is called being “properly served.” If they fail to respond within the required time frame, you may be able to file a judgment by default against them. This can have significant financial and legal consequences.
Depending on the circumstances of your divorce, you may be able to settle some or all of your disputes through mediation. This is a process in which you and your spouse meet with a neutral third party, called a mediator, to discuss the issues at hand. The goal is to reach a resolution that is mutually acceptable and then the mediator will draft a Mediated Settlement Agreement. This is then signed by a family court judge.
Every divorce is different and the outcome depends on a number of factors, including the complexity of the financial concerns and the value of the assets involved. Generally speaking, however, courts strive to achieve a fair and equitable division of the marital estate. There are extenuating circumstances that can result in a disproportionate property split, but these cases are usually few and far between.
Whether your marriage is amicable or contentious, the best thing you can do is gather as much information about your finances and assets as possible. This will help your attorney in the process of dividing your property and making sure all matters are resolved fairly. In addition, be mindful of what you say to other people and online because it could be used against you in court. The last thing you want is to cause your divorce to become more contested due to something you said.