Family Law / Divorce

Most divorces can be handled in an agreed fashion if you put in a little effort at the beginning. An agreed divorce can cost as little as $800.00-$1,000.00 flat fee (which includes court costs and filing fees) and should be concluded in as few as sixty days. Sometimes an agreement can't be reached and litigation must ensue. For those circumstances, quick and decisive action may mean the difference between operating from a position of strength or weakness.

There are generally two areas of concern in a divorce, issues of children and issues of property. Children's issues can be grouped into three categories, conservatorship (the rights and obligations of the parents), possession and access (when the parents are entitled to physical possession of the children), and child support (which parent is obligated to pay support and in what amount).

Property issues concern the division of assets and division of debts. Assets and debts are grouped into two categories, separate and community. Generally speaking, separate assets/debts are those that you acquired or incurred before the marriage and those, in the case of separate assets, that were received during the marriage by gift or inheritance, and in the case of separate debts, those debts that were generated or incurred during the marriage and are related to an item of separate property or a separate transaction. Community property is all property acquired during the marriage that is not separate property.

The issues of law that guide the Court on how to resolve these issues are very different and such situations are extremely fact dependant. It is always best to consult with an attorney before trying to resolve the situation, but after such consultation, you should always try to use your very best efforts to resolve these issues amicably, thereby reducing the stress and cost of the divorce.

Many divorcing couples are participating in a collaborative law process that allows them to keep control of the situation, instead of turning it over to the courts for resolution. Collaborative divorce is much less expensive than contested divorces and ensures that the divorcing spouses are able to make the decisions that are best for them and their family.

In addition to divorce representation, the firm also provides representation in the areas of:

• Adoption - Adoptive parents accept all the challenges, rights, and responsibilities of parenthood. The adoption process can be a maze of legal twists and turns. The firm knows what it takes to navigate the adoption process quickly and efficiently and has helped with many step-parent adoptions.
  
  
• Paternity - Establishing paternity is financially important and establishes parental rights as well as contributing to a child's sense of identity. The firm has access to the resources to help establish paternity or to set the record straight when paternity has been incorrectly asserted.
  
  
• Prenuptial Agreements - Prenuptial agreements help couples start off with a feeling of security and with the added benefit of an open approach to their finances. The firm is experienced in preparing prenuptial agreements and can draft the right document for any client, regardless of their pre-marital assets.
  
  
• Modification of Support and Custody Orders

For more information, please contact this office to see if your needs can be met by filing an uncontested, flat fee divorce.

Call Us Now at (972) 665-0055 for More Information or to Schedule an Appointment.