An Outline of the Divorce Process in Texas

While the facts and issues are different in every divorce, the process of getting a divorce in Texas is similar in most every case.

This article provides an overview of the divorce process from filing a Petition for Divorce through to a Final Decree of Divorce.

This article does not address those things that you should do prior to filing for divorce. For more information on those topics, please read Preparing for Divorce, Getting Organized for Your Divorce, and Things To Do Before Your Divorce.

Original Petition for Divorce

Every Texas divorce begins the same way – a spouse files an Original Petition for Divorce.

The original petition sets out the petitioning spouse’s basis for divorce as well as claims regarding property division, child custody, child support, and spousal maintenance to the extent those issues are present in the case.

The filing spouse also makes any claims for a temporary restraining order and temporary orders in the Original Petition for Divorce.

Answer/Counter-Petition

After the other spouse is served with the Original Petition for Divorce, or waives service, the other spouse has an opportunity to file an answer in response to the Original Petition for Divorce.

In addition to filing an answer, the responding spouse may file a Counter-Petition for Divorce.

A Counter-Petition for Divorce allows the responding spouse to set forth his or her own claims regarding the basis for the divorce as well as any claims regarding property division, child support, child custody, or spousal maintenance.

Temporary Restraining Order

In appropriate cases, a party may request a Temporary Restraining Order in the party’s the Original Petition for Divorce.

A TRO is an ex parte order (meaning it is issues without a hearing or input from the other party) providing temporary relief until the court holds a hearing.

A court issues a TRO to preserve the status quo and prevent irreparable harm prior to the court issuing temporary orders at a temporary orders hearing.

Texas law limits the duration of TRO’s to 14 days unless extended by the court or agreement of the parties. This means that a court must hold a hearing on temporary orders within that time frame or the TRO expires by law.

Temporary Orders

Temporary orders are preliminary injunctions a court issues with the intent of preserving the status quo until the court signs a Final Decree of Divorce.

Many contested divorce cases require temporary orders.

A court renders temporary orders after a hearing unless the parties come to an agreement prior to the hearing date.

Temporary orders address many of the issues present in the divorce such as possession of property, possession and access to any children, decision-making regarding the children, temporary support, etc.

These temporary orders govern the spouse’s relationship and set forth each of their rights and responsibilities until there is a Final Decree of Divorce or the court modifies the temporary orders.

A temporary orders hearing is like a mini-trial in that each party may present evidence and witness testimony on these issues and the judge issues his or decision based on that evidence.

However, these hearings are often held early on in the case and the parties may not have access to all relevant information.

Informal Settlement Discussions

After the temporary orders hearing (and sometimes prior to a temporary orders hearing) the parties often engage in informal settlement discussions.

These discussions can take the form of letters and phone calls between counsel for the parties.

The parties may also meet with their attorneys for an informal settlement conference.

An informal settlement conference allows the parties and their attorneys to have a back and forth discussion for the purpose of attempting to resolve the issues in their case without need for a trial.

Inventory & Appraisement

In most cases the court orders the parties to exchange an Inventory & Appraisement. In many cases, the parties may agree to do so without a court order.

The I&A is a short form of discovery where each spouse provides a sworn written statement of every asset, debt, or other liability that the spouse is aware of.

The I&A also requires the spouse to state his or her position on if the asset is community property or separate property.

Exchanging I&A’s early on in the case allows the parties to engage in more informed settlement discussions while reducing the fear of the other spouse “hiding” assets.

Mediation

If the parties cannot come to a settlement agreement informally, then at some point they participate in mediation.

In many cases the parties may agree to early mediation (prior to discovery) in an attempt to limit the costs and expenses they may incur through discovery.

In other cases, the court orders the parties to participation in mediation prior to setting the case for a trial.

Mediation involves each spouse and their attorney sitting down with a third party in an attempt to reach a settlement. That neutral third party is the mediator.

The mediator is usually another attorney or former judge. The mediator uses his or her experience to provide individual and confidential feedback to each spouse on how the mediator see’s that spouse’s case.

The mediator’s role is to facilitate discussions, identify areas of agreement to attempt to bring the parties to a settlement.

If the parties do come to an agreement, then the mediator drafts a Mediated Settlement Agreement (MSA). Both parties sign the MSA and that MSA will is incorporated into a final decree of divorce presented to the court.

Discovery

The discovery process allows both spouses to gather facts to support their claims and case for divorce.

Methods of discovery include Requests for Production and Inspection, Interrogatories, Requests for Admission, and Depositions.

Your attorney conducts discovery into each and every issue important to your case. This includes financial records and other documents that support arguments related to property division.

Discovery also includes records and witnesses relevant to support your claims regarding child custody and child support. Electronic evidence from social media accounts and email is commonly acquired through discovery.

If experts are needed in your case, then your attorney will also conduct discovery into the expert’s background, opinions, and the facts underlying that expert’s analysis.

Trial

If you and your spouse do not come to a settlement agreement after participating in informal settlement discussions and mediation, then your case will proceed to trial.

Trial is the legal process where a judge decides the results of your divorce on any contested issue.

Juries rarely appear in divorce cases, but if they do, then those juries only make findings of fact. Juries do not make decisions on how property will be divided or what is in the best interest of your children regarding child custody or child support.

Those decisions are exclusively made by the judge after the judge weighs the evidence and determines the facts, or if a jury is requested, after the jury hears the evidence and determines the facts of the case.

Once the judge issues his or her decision, the case is over unless a party appeals the judge’s decision on any issue.

If you would like to schedule a consultation to discuss your divorce case, then please send me an e-mail or send a request through my contact page.