Divorce Attorneys in Galveston

Protecting Your Rights & Best Interests

The Law Offices and Mediation Center of Susan M. Edmonson is a family law firm that handles a range of divorce-related matters, including alimony, child support, child custody, property division, and post-divorce modifications. Our founder, Susan M. Edmonson, has been Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for nearly two decades. You can trust our experienced legal team to help you navigate all the complexities of your divorce.

Call our Galveston divorce lawyers today at (409) 239-0100 to discuss your rights and legal options during this challenging time.

Grounds for Divorce in Texas

Texas is a no-fault divorce state. That means that neither spouse is required to demonstrate that the other spouse is at fault in order to petition for divorce. Under these statutes, a couple may file for divorce based on a “discord or conflict of personalities” that is caused the marital relationship to be disrupted to the point that there is no chance of reconciliation.

Division of Marital Property During a Divorce

One issue that pertains to nearly every divorce is the division of marital property. Texas is a community property state. In the eyes of the law, any property that was acquired during your marriage is equally owned by both you and your spouse. For this reason, it will be equally divided between both of you during your divorce. These laws do not apply to separate property.

Property can be considered separate when:

• It was acquired prior to the marriage
• It was a gift or inheritance given to only one spouse
• It was received as compensation for a personal injury claim

The Divorce Process in Texas

Once you have decided that you are ready to get a divorce, you will need to know what to do next. It is not as simple as signing a piece of paper and turning it into the court. In fact, once a divorce petition is filed, you will need to wait a minimum of 60 days before the divorce is finalized.

There are two primary paths of divorce in Texas. The simplest type of divorce is an uncontested divorce. This usually involves the couple sitting down together and reaching an agreement on all divorce-related issues. They can then present an Agreed Final Decree of Divorce to the Court. The decree can then be drafted and signed by both parties. Once 60 days have passed since the filing of the Original Petition for divorce, the final decree can be signed by the judge and finalized.

If the couple cannot agree on one or more matters, the divorce becomes "contested." In this case, the spouses will need to appear in court before a judge who will make decisions for them. This type of divorce is usually more expensive and significantly longer. Many contested divorces last for six months or more, and some between one and two years.

Call Our Galveston Divorce Attorneys

It can be easy to become overwhelmed during the divorce process, especially if you and your spouse can’t seem to agree on anything. The Law Offices and Mediation Center of Susan M. Edmonson is here to guide you through this challenging time.

Call (409) 239-0100 today or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation with our experienced family law attorneys. We can protect your rights and interests.