Did you know that not every divorce case filed in Texas proceeds directly from start to finish? Some Texas couples choose to pause their divorce cases to assess whether reconciliation is possible. As a result of that assessment, some of those couples decide to end their divorce proceedings and remain married.
This may sound like somewhat of a fairy tale, complete with a happy ending. For some couples, it is indeed for the best, eventually resulting in a restored marriage and happily ever after. Of course, reconciliation does not always work, and some couples who attempt to reconcile during their divorce eventually decide to continue the divorce process all of the way to a final divorce decree.
It is crucial for any couple who may want to explore reconciliation to recognize that it’s not an easy path, and it does make your divorce case more complicated regardless of which direction you and your spouse eventually go. If you have filed for divorce, your divorce case is, at any given time, somewhere along a timeline that moves from the date the divorce complaint is filed to the date a judge issues a final divorce decree. There are a variety of stages a divorce case moves through from beginning to end, and depending on the timing of your decision to try to reconcile, you may have some extra work to do. For example, if there have been any protective orders issued in your case, your attorneys may have to have those lifted before you can legally have the amount and type of contact you want with your spouse. If you and your spouse are considering giving reconciliation a try, be sure to discuss that with your attorney and ask your spouse to do the same. Your attorney will help you understand what your options are during and after your reconciliation attempt, whether or not it is successful
Another critical point to consider is how your reconciliation attempt will affect your children. Before you discuss what you plan to do with them, talk with their therapists if they are in counseling and also seek information and advice about how to proceed with wisdom in this area. Children’s hearts are tender at any age, and it is always best to use caution and think things through before bringing them into your children’s world.
Additionally, seek counseling for yourselves. The couples who successfully reconcile are the couples who put a wholehearted effort into understanding how their marriage got to the point of breaking and learn how to restore the love, trust, and health to their marriage. These are serious matters which deserve serious commitment, time, and effort from both spouses. It is not wise to attempt reconciliation unless you are confident that your spouse is just as committed and serious about it as you are.
If you have questions about divorce in Texas, call Texas Family Law Attorney Alex Tyra with your Texas divorce questions today, at (903) 753-7499.