Wilson Whitaker Rynell

Experienced Lawyers

info@wwrlegal.com

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972-248-8080 DALLAS
713-830-2207 HOUSTON
512-691-4100 AUSTIN
wilson whitaker rynell attorneys and counselors at law logo
972-248-8080 DALLAS
713-830-2207 HOUSTON
512-691-4100 AUSTIN

DALLAS DIVORCE ATTORNEYS

IN DALLAS, TEXAS

We serve Dallas, Frisco, and Plano in Family Law and Divorce cases with experienced board-certified lawyers who deliver results when your family matters.

TEXAS DIVORCE LAWYERS

How Do I Obtain A Divorce In Texas?


To file for and obtain a divorce in Texas, a person must be a Texas resident for at least six months and a county resident for the past 90 days. Jurisdiction over the other party must be obtained by either serving them legal process within Texas or securing their voluntary consent to jurisdiction in Texas. If a spouse's whereabouts are unknown, he or she may be served by publishing a notice in a local area newspaper. A respondent in a divorce matter may be deemed to have submitted to jurisdiction in Texas if he or she engaged in sexual relations in the state, resulting in the conception of a child, or otherwise has sufficient contacts with the state. The venue for the divorce action is in the county where either one of the parties resides.  Please download our Divorce Checklist and call us for a divorce consultation today.


The Original Divorce Petition


A divorce is commenced when a party files a petition. A petition must contain specific statutory language and include information about any children of the marriage. A filing fee must be paid at the time of filing the petition.  The fault of either party need not be proved in order to obtain a divorce. All that is necessary is to show that the parties are incompatible. The fault of a spouse leading to the breakdown of a marriage (such as infidelity, abuse, or substance abuse problems) may be relevant to a divorce action impacting child custody and final property division.  An overview of the divorce process can be found at this link: Overview of A Texas Divorce.


Service of Legal Process In A Divorce


In order for the respondent in a divorce case to be brought within the jurisdiction of the district courts of Texas, that person must be served with copies of the petition, temporary orders, and a summons requiring them to file a responsive pleading within a certain time period. This is usually done by the county sheriff or an authorized process server. The service cannot be made by one party serving the other. The respondent may voluntarily consent to the jurisdiction of the court and waive service of process. This is usually accomplished by the respondent signing a form that is filed with the court. Once a respondent is served or has entered his or her appearance, the temporary orders take effect.


Why Do You Need An Aggressive Divorce Attorney?



A successful family law case often begins with an assertive offense and/or defense, and you need a lawyer capable of being aggressive when and as necessary. Our Dallas divorce attorneys have represented clients in hundreds of cases, from simple undisputed divorces to the most complex and challenging matters. They have successfully taken numerous cases to trial and have reached settlements favorable to our clients in scores more cases. Our success is due to our attorneys' dedication to our client's and fierce advocacy for our client's rights and interests. Our Dallas divorce lawyers will not allow you to be taken advantage of but will strive to protect your rights, fight for your interests, and give you the strong and passionate representation your case demands.



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Additional Texas Divorce Focus 

What Is The Waiting Period In Texas Before A Divorce Can Be Granted? 


In Texas, there is a 60 day waiting period after filing for divorce. Absent circumstances warranting an emergency divorce, a final decree of divorce cannot be granted until 60 days have passed since the filing of the petition. During the cooling off period, the parties will often engage in "discovery." Discovery is a process in which the two parties exchange information concerning the issues involved in the divorce. The parties may submit written questions to each other, request the production of documents, and take each other's deposition. Some cases require intensive discovery in which other witnesses are deposed, property appraisals are obtained, homes and safe deposit boxes are inventoried, and records are subpoenaed. If a party refuses to respond to discovery requests, he or she may be sanctioned by the court.


What Happens If You & Your Spouse Cannot Agree To Divorce? 


Any issues that the parties cannot agree on will be tried and decided upon by the court. Each party may call witnesses and introduce exhibits to support his or her position. The court will determine the dispute and make specific orders which will be contained in the decree of divorce.


What Is Spousal Maintenance In Texas?


Spousal maintenance is a statutory remedy created by the Texas legislature that allows for a court to award payments to a spouse after divorce for a brief period of time under minimal circumstances. The legal remedy of spousal maintenance is codified in Chapter 8 of the Texas Family Code. A court determining that a spouse is eligible to receive maintenance shall determine the nature, amount, duration, and manner of periodic payments by considering all relevant factors. 


For more information on spousal maintenance, click on this link: Spousal Maintenance In Texas .


What Is Contractual Alimony In Texas? 



Contractual alimony is a voluntary payment of spousal maintenance from one spouse to another. A person going through a divorce may agree to make regular payments to the other spouse as contractual alimony as part of the property settlement. There may be various of reasons for entering into such a voluntary spousal agreement. Still, it is most often used to equalize the division of marital property while providing one spouse with a steady income stream.

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By Leigh Whitaker January 28, 2025
Female Divorce Attorneys in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area In many instances, divorce cases are challenging and emotionally taxing experiences. For this reason, it’s common for people to prefer working with an attorney of the same gender because they feel as though the attorney can empathize and understand their situation more. At the end of the day, the gender of your attorney may not affect the outcome of your case, but it’s important to feel as comfortable as possible while navigating through the process. At Wilson Whitaker Rynell, our experienced female divorce attorneys offer compassionate and empathetic approaches while they develop a comprehensive legal strategy to represent you. Why Should You Choose a Female Divorce Lawyer? There are many reasons why hiring a female divorce attorney can help you throughout your divorce. For one, they often have experience working on issues that disproportionately affect women in divorce such as spousal support (alimony), child custody disputes, and asset division. Additionally, female divorce lawyers offer a unique level of empathy, understanding, and communication. As a result, many clients feel that they are more approachable and compassionate, which is beneficial when dealing with the emotional turmoil of the process. More importantly, female divorce attorneys are more familiar with how the court treats women in divorce cases and use this knowledge to strategically protect their clients’ interests, whether male or female. Why Our Female Divorce Attorneys May be Right for You At Wilson Whitaker Rynell, our female divorce attorneys are skilled, knowledgeable professionals, they also have many years of experience in handling complex divorce cases. Whether it’s issues surrounding custody of children, alimony, or asset division, our female divorce lawyers ensure each client receives high-quality legal advice. Our firm’s female divorce attorneys provide the highest level of personal attention, ensuring that each client’s unique needs and concerns are addressed through every step. Unique Challenges Women Face in Family Law Disputes in Texas Family law disputes can be emotionally charged and legally complex, especially for women navigating the process in Texas. Women often encounter unique challenges due to their roles in the marriage and family dynamic, particularly when it comes to child custody, child support, and the division of marital assets. Child Custody Challenges In many marriages, women take on the primary caregiving role for their children. However, when it comes to custody decisions, courts in Texas prioritize the best interests of the child over parental gender. While this often works in favor of mothers, women may still face hurdles in proving they are better suited to provide the stable environment the child needs, especially if their ex-spouse disputes custody. Factors such as work schedules, living arrangements, and financial stability can come under scrutiny. Child Support Issues While Texas law allows women to seek child support, collecting these payments can sometimes prove difficult. Women awarded child support may find themselves dealing with ex-spouses who delay payments, make partial payments, or refuse to pay altogether. Enforcing child support orders often requires legal intervention, which can add to the emotional and financial strain. Division of Marital Assets In Texas, a community property state, marital assets are typically divided equitably during divorce. Women who are awarded assets such as the family home may face challenges related to maintaining the property, refinancing a mortgage, or covering associated expenses. Additionally, women who sacrificed their careers to support their spouses or raise children may feel disadvantaged during the division of assets if their earning potential is limited compared to their ex-spouse. How Your Divorce Attorney Will Support You Each divorce case is unique, and having an experienced attorney standing by you is vital. Whether you’re dividing assets, negotiating child custody, or managing other complex legal issues, the female divorce attorneys at Wilson Whitaker Rynell are here to protect the interests of you and your family. Our attorneys will take the time to understand your unique circumstances and empower you to make informed decisions that support your career, family and future. When you choose a female divorce attorney from Wilson Whitaker Rynell, you can trust that they will: Prioritize your family’s best interests. Negotiate with integrity, ensuring fairness and transparency. Clearly explain all your options and their potential outcomes. Help you create the future you want by offering trusted legal advice. Use efficient methods to minimize unnecessary costs and keep the process manageable. Navigating family law disputes requires a thorough understanding of Texas family law and strong advocacy. Women facing divorce or other family law issues are encouraged to seek an experienced family law attorney who can provide personalized guidance. A skilled lawyer can help craft a strategy that protects their rights and ensures a fair resolution. This includes representing their interests in court, negotiating settlements, and helping enforce orders such as child support or spousal maintenance.
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