Starting Your New Chapter
Divorce is so much more than the ending of your marriage. It involves splitting your household, dividing your assets and agreeing on custody arrangements for your children. The process can be long and exhausting for both parties. At Biebas and Riley Attorneys at Law PLLC in Belton, our divorce and child custody lawyers can help you from your initial filing to your trial, if it becomes necessary for you to argue for your right to parent your children in court.
Our attorneys use their experience helping families in Bell County to provide results-driven representation. They understand how overwhelming this time is for you, and their goal is helping you get the results you want so that you can begin to move forward.
Getting A Divorce In Texas
Filing a divorce in Texas can be a long and complicated process. If you share property and children with your spouse, custody and property division must be considered. To file for divorce, you or your spouse must have lived in Texas for at least six months and in the county where you will file for 90 days. After filing your divorce petition, the other party has 20 days to answer the petition. Whether you are filing for divorce or were served by your spouse, our team can help you with the initial petition and the response.
Every divorce is unique and has different elements that may impact how long it takes to finalize. Texas law requires a “cooling off” period, which holds that a court must wait 60 days from when you file the petition to enter a divorce decree. However, your divorce may take a few months due to contested elements, the court docket and scheduling issues.
One of the elements that can extend your divorce proceedings is property and asset division. Texas is a community property state, meaning that both parties own anything acquired during the marriage equally. This may include income, real estate, vehicles and retirement accounts. The law requires that marital property must be divided in a just and equitable manner between the parties. If you share property with your spouse, then our attorneys can help you fight for the assets you want and need.
If you are getting out of your marriage, the promise of a faster and cheaper solution may tempt you. Online divorce services are widely available and provide templates for filling out divorce paperwork. However, online divorces are not the best option for many people. Laws are constantly changing, and having an attorney by your side is essential to ensuring that your rights are protected and that you don’t miss any important details.
Child Custody In Texas
A major point of contention in a divorce is child custody. A divorce can take a large toll on children, and it is in their best interests for you and your spouse to find a resolution so your children can settle into their new normal. The court will consider numerous factors in determining custody issues, including:
- Current living arrangement of each parent
- Criminal or drug use history of each parent
- Employment
- Visitation history
- Which parent is the primary caregiver
Based on these factors, the court will evaluate and decide on the option that is in the best interests of the child’s health, safety and welfare. The court may award sole or joint custody, where the parents share responsibilities. Ideally, you will be able to come to an agreement with your spouse on your parenting plan. However, this isn’t always possible. Whether you can agree with your spouse or you need the family court to intervene, our attorneys at Biebas and Riley Attorneys at Law PLLC can help protect you and your child.
Our Team Can Help You Through Your Divorce
Don’t go through the divorce process alone. Work with a lawyer who understands local laws and has experience helping clients through every aspect of a divorce case. Call Biebas and Riley Attorneys at Law PLLC at 254-781-5914 or complete an online contact form to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.