Texas Family Law Attorney Shares Three Reasons Why You Need a Divorce Attorney

It is common for people who are considering filing for divorce to think about handling their divorce themselves. It is true that some people do file their divorces pro se, or without an attorney, but it is not advisable. Unfortunately, individuals who choose to represent themselves in their divorce proceedings do not always get the results that they wanted.

In contrast, people who are represented by attorneys in their divorce cases are often satisfied with the outcomes. Retaining an attorney to represent you in your Texas divorce case does not guarantee that you will get the exact result that you want in your divorce, but it does give you the best possible chance at achieving something very close to your desired outcome. There are three ways in which the knowledge and experience of your divorce attorney will help you to achieve a satisfactory result in your Texas divorce case.

One way that your attorney will help you achieve a positive outcome in your Texas divorce case is by completing and filing all of your divorce case forms correctly, and in compliance with all of the applicable deadlines. Divorce cases involve multiple forms, some of which require a lot of information, and there are various filing deadlines throughout the divorce process. Your attorney will ensure that all of your divorce paperwork gets to where it needs to go on time so that your case can proceed smoothly.

Another advantage to working with an attorney on your divorce is that having an attorney represent you instead of representing yourself increases your chances of settling your divorce instead of going to trial. The reason for this is that when you retain an attorney, the attorney takes on the task of communicating with your soon to be former spouse or his or her attorney if he or she has one. Once attorneys or even one attorney and one unrepresented spouse are communicating, the level of conflict often decreases. This decrease in conflict makes it more likely that there will be productive discussions about how the divorce could be resolved through settlement, and proposals and counter-proposals can begin to be exchanged and discussed in a reasonable manner.

A third reason why it is essential to hire an attorney for your divorce is that your attorney can help you to come out of your divorce in the strongest possible financial position by helping you to assess the advisability of accepting proposed settlement agreements. It may be difficult to believe that paying someone to represent you could ultimately cost you less than representing yourself, but it makes sense once you understand why this is the case. Some pro se litigants accept property settlements or agree to tax consequences or other provisions in a divorce which put them in a worse financial position than they could have achieved if they had been represented by counsel. Your attorney can help you to assess proposed settlement terms in light of your personal and financial goals so that you can make informed decisions about which, if any, proposed agreements to accept.

Texas Family Law Attorney Alex Tyra – A Strong Advocate in Your Texas Divorce

If you are considering filing for divorce in Texas, it is important to select an experienced attorney to work with you during this important and life-changing experience. To learn more, call Texas Family Law Attorney Alex Tyra today, at (903) 753-7499.

Texas Family Law Attorney Talks about Preparing for Divorce Court

While many Texas divorce cases settle out of court, there are many others that involve one or more court dates. If you are like many Texans, you have never seen the inside of a courtroom, and you may not know what to expect if your attorney informs you that you have a court date. Fortunately, divorcing Texans who work with Texas family law attorneys do not go into the courtroom alone or unprepared. If you are working with an attorney, your attorney will help you prepare yourself for your court date and represent you during the proceedings.

Each client’s divorce case is unique, and, depending upon what has been happening in your case, you may be going to court for any one of a number of reasons. Work closely with your attorney so that you are absolutely clear on what your upcoming court appearance is about. As your attorney prepares for your court date, they may need various types of information from you. Provide any requested information to your attorney as soon as possible, because prompt delivery of necessary information helps your attorney do his or her best work in preparing for your court date.

Even though you will likely be accompanied by your attorney when you go to court, it is helpful to prepare yourself on your own, in advance of your court date. Each court and, for that matter, each courtroom is slightly different. Your experience in court will go more smoothly if you take time to familiarize yourself with the rules and the layout of the courtroom before your court appearance. When in doubt about what to do, remain calm, ask your attorney, and always be respectful. Of course, this may be easier said than done, because divorce cases do often involve many emotions. Be sure to get the support that you need in working through your emotions throughout the divorce process, whether that means taking time to talk to trusted friends, family members or a therapist, or taking time for yourself to do things that help you relax and feel balanced, like running, hiking, or spending time outdoors. If you take time to clear you head before you go to court, you will be more likely to remain focused on the business at hand and less likely to be sucked into courtroom drama.

In the spirit of keeping your court appearance as simple and as businesslike as possible, be sure to check with your attorney in regards to having other people attend court with you. Friends and family may want to show their support. There is certainly a time and a place for that, but it may not be in the courthouse at the time of you court appearance. Your attorney can answer any questions that you may have in this regard.

Texas Family Law Attorney Alex Tyra – Your Ally in Texas Divorce

Going to court can be an intimidating experience, but it does not have to be that way. When you work with a Texas family law attorney, you will be well prepared and well represented at any court appearances that may occur during the course of your Texas divorce. To learn more, call Texas Family Law Attorney Alex Tyra today, at (903) 753-7499.

Texas Family Law Attorney Talks about Preparing for Divorce Court

While many Texas divorce cases settle out of court, there are many others that involve one or more court dates. If you are like many Texans, you have never seen the inside of a courtroom, and you may not know what to expect if your attorney informs you that you have a court date. Fortunately, divorcing Texans who work with Texas family law attorneys do not go into the courtroom alone or unprepared. If you are working with an attorney, your attorney will help you prepare yourself for your court date and represent you during the proceedings.

Each client’s divorce case is unique, and, depending upon what has been happening in your case, you may be going to court for any one of a number of reasons. Work closely with your attorney so that you are absolutely clear on what your upcoming court appearance is about. As your attorney prepares for your court date, they may need various types of information from you. Provide any requested information to your attorney as soon as possible, because prompt delivery of necessary information helps your attorney do his or her best work in preparing for your court date.

Even though you will likely be accompanied by your attorney when you go to court, it is helpful to prepare yourself on your own, in advance of your court date. Each court and, for that matter, each courtroom is slightly different. Your experience in court will go more smoothly if you take time to familiarize yourself with the rules and the layout of the courtroom before your court appearance. When in doubt about what to do, remain calm, ask your attorney, and always be respectful. Of course, this may be easier said than done, because divorce cases do often involve many emotions. Be sure to get the support that you need in working through your emotions throughout the divorce process, whether that means taking time to talk to trusted friends, family members or a therapist, or taking time for yourself to do things that help you relax and feel balanced, like running, hiking, or spending time outdoors. If you take time to clear you head before you go to court, you will be more likely to remain focused on the business at hand and less likely to be sucked into courtroom drama.

In the spirit of keeping your court appearance as simple and as businesslike as possible, be sure to check with your attorney in regards to having other people attend court with you. Friends and family may want to show their support. There is certainly a time and a place for that, but it may not be in the courthouse at the time of you court appearance. Your attorney can answer any questions that you may have in this regard.

Texas Family Law Attorney Alex Tyra – Your Ally in Texas Divorce

Going to court can be an intimidating experience, but it does not have to be that way. When you work with a Texas family law attorney, you will be well prepared and well represented at any court appearances that may occur during the course of your Texas divorce. To learn more, call Texas Family Law Attorney Alex Tyra today, at (903) 753-7499.

Texas Family Law Attorney Talks About the Trouble With Pro Se Divorce

If you are thinking of filing for divorce, you may be thinking about doing so pro se. When a person files a pro se divorce, they file for divorce on their own behalf, without the aid of an attorney. It is easy to understand why pro se divorce is so attractive. Attorneys charge fees for their services. Finding an attorney can take a little time, because not every attorney is available to take new cases whenever a potential client inquires and because not every attorney is a good fit for every prospective client. If you work and have a family, you may also be thinking that pro se divorce might be easier because you would not have to find time to meet with an attorney, assuming that you could afford to hire one and could fine one who was not only available to take your case but who is also a good fit for you. Pro se divorce may even appear to be easy, because there are forms, software, and other products that promise a complete divorce solution and that are available for purchase at attractive prices.

What you may not know and what the people or companies that are selling the divorce products will not tell you is that many people who represented themselves in their divorce cases are dissatisfied with the results. Even worse, some people who represent themselves at the beginning of their divorce cases seek assistance from an attorney at some point during the proceedings and end up paying more in legal fees than they would have had they retained the same attorney at the outset of the case because the attorney had to do extra work to “fix” mistakes that the person made as a pro se litigant prior to retaining the attorney. One example of a mistake that a pro se litigant might make is using the wrong forms or submitting forms late, both of which can happen when you use a divorce product like the ones that were described above.

In contrast, many people who are represented by attorneys in their divorce cases are satisfied with the outcomes. Retaining an attorney to represent you does not guarantee that you will get the exact result that you want in your divorce, but it does give you the best possible chance at getting as much of what you want as is possible. While it is true that hiring an attorney costs money, it is money well spent because your attorney can help you to understand whether a proposed property settlement or other proposed financial provision will serve your best interest. Your attorney can also help you avoid accepting a divorce settlement that would long term consequences, financial or otherwise, that do not serve you.

One of the most compelling reasons to work with an attorney for your divorce is that working with an attorney increases your chance of settling your divorce without going to trial. Settling a divorce is much less stressful and much less costly than going to trial, and both parties usually feel satisfied with the outcome.

Texas Family Law Attorney Alex Tyra – A Trusted Source for Texas Divorce Law Expertise

Retaining an attorney for your Texas divorce case does cost money, but pro se divorce can be even more costly in every sense of the word. Make sure that your Texas divorce gets done right, and gets resolved in a manner that works well for you. Call Texas Family Law Attorney Alex Tyra today, at (903) 753-7499.

Texas Family Law Attorney Talks About the Trouble With Pro Se Divorce

If you are thinking of filing for divorce, you may be thinking about doing so pro se. When a person files a pro se divorce, they file for divorce on their own behalf, without the aid of an attorney. It is easy to understand why pro se divorce is so attractive. Attorneys charge fees for their services. Finding an attorney can take a little time, because not every attorney is available to take new cases whenever a potential client inquires and because not every attorney is a good fit for every prospective client. If you work and have a family, you may also be thinking that pro se divorce might be easier because you would not have to find time to meet with an attorney, assuming that you could afford to hire one and could fine one who was not only available to take your case but who is also a good fit for you. Pro se divorce may even appear to be easy, because there are forms, software, and other products that promise a complete divorce solution and that are available for purchase at attractive prices.

What you may not know and what the people or companies that are selling the divorce products will not tell you is that many people who represented themselves in their divorce cases are dissatisfied with the results. Even worse, some people who represent themselves at the beginning of their divorce cases seek assistance from an attorney at some point during the proceedings and end up paying more in legal fees than they would have had they retained the same attorney at the outset of the case because the attorney had to do extra work to “fix” mistakes that the person made as a pro se litigant prior to retaining the attorney. One example of a mistake that a pro se litigant might make is using the wrong forms or submitting forms late, both of which can happen when you use a divorce product like the ones that were described above.

In contrast, many people who are represented by attorneys in their divorce cases are satisfied with the outcomes. Retaining an attorney to represent you does not guarantee that you will get the exact result that you want in your divorce, but it does give you the best possible chance at getting as much of what you want as is possible. While it is true that hiring an attorney costs money, it is money well spent because your attorney can help you to understand whether a proposed property settlement or other proposed financial provision will serve your best interest. Your attorney can also help you avoid accepting a divorce settlement that would long term consequences, financial or otherwise, that do not serve you.

One of the most compelling reasons to work with an attorney for your divorce is that working with an attorney increases your chance of settling your divorce without going to trial. Settling a divorce is much less stressful and much less costly than going to trial, and both parties usually feel satisfied with the outcome.

Texas Family Law Attorney Alex Tyra – A Trusted Source for Texas Divorce Law Expertise

Retaining an attorney for your Texas divorce case does cost money, but pro se divorce can be even more costly in every sense of the word. Make sure that your Texas divorce gets done right, and gets resolved in a manner that works well for you. Call Texas Family Law Attorney Alex Tyra today, at (903) 753-7499.

Texas Family Law Attorney Discusses How Rushing Your Divorce Could Cost You

One of the most pressing concerns that divorce clients have is the length of time that their divorce case is likely to take. This is completely natural, given the nature of divorce. By the time divorce clients meet with a family law attorney to begin the process of divorce, they have decided to end their marriage and they want to move forward in their lives. As strong as that desire may be, it is essential that you not rush your divorce case.

The primary reason that patience is important during a divorce is that being impatient could cost you lots of money. Some individuals file for divorce without an attorney, or they choose an attorney who offers a very low price for divorce services without fully understanding what their fee covers and what it does not. When mistakes are made, these individuals must seek experienced counsel to address them, which often costs more than they would have paid if they had retained knowledgeable counsel at the outset of their divorce case.

Another important reason to take your time with your divorce is to avoid rushing to decisions. The divorce process involves a lot of negotiation, and it is often a good idea to sit with proposals made by your soon to be former spouse for a while before deciding whether or not to accept them. Hasty decision making does not work out well in many situations, and this is especially true for divorce cases. For example, if you quickly skim through a parent child contact schedule that your soon to be former spouse has proposed and sign it without taking a close look at it and thinking carefully about how you would likely feel living with it, you might agree to something that does not work well for you, or that gives you much less parenting time than you believe is fair. It is much better to read it carefully, think about it, and then decide whether it will work for you or whether you will propose something different.

While the legal process associated with divorce may take some time, it is important that people who are getting divorced understand that the legal aspects of your divorce are just part of the picture. This realization can be quite empowering, because there are many ways that you can move forward in your life even as you navigate the divorce process. For example, working with your feelings about the end of your marriage, either on your own or with the aid of a therapist, can be done at any time. You could also focus on strengthening relationships with yourself, your children, and other people who are close to you. There are so many ways that divorcing individuals can move forward as they work through the divorce process. The key to doing so successfully is to remember to make choices that will not detract from your divorce proceedings. Fortunately, you do not have to make these decisions all on your own. If you have a question about whether a specific course of action would likely affect your divorce case, your Texas divorce attorney is likely to be able to help you find the answer.

Texas Family Law Attorney Alex Tyra – Your Source for Texas Divorce Law Expertise

Divorce cases can take some time, but that time is well spent as an investment in your future. If you have questions about divorce in Texas, Texas Family Law Attorney Alex Tyra can help you. Call our office today, at (903) 753-7499.

Texas Family Law Attorney Suggests Planning Ahead for Your 2016 Divorce

Many people who file for divorce do so in January. The desire to improve one’s life is at its peak at the start of each year, so it is not surprising that there are approximately thirty percent more divorce cases filed in January than there are in any other month. If you plan to file for divorce in January of 2016, be sure to plan and prepare for your divorce in advance. There are some things that you can do to give yourself the best possible chance of obtaining an outcome in your divorce case that will work well for you.

One mistake that some people make is filing for divorce without first considering the legal, personal, and financial implications of ending their marriage. Divorce is a major life decision, and it is essential that you seek professional advice in three key areas so that you can obtain important information about what your life could look and feel like during and after your divorce.

An essential step in preparing for your divorce is consulting with a divorce attorney. Your divorce attorney can explain the process of divorce in your state, as well as what you might reasonably expect to occur during and after your divorce case. Since the rules regarding divorce are different from state to state, an understanding of what rules will apply during your divorce case is critical for being able to think about how your divorce case might play out. For example, when it comes to dividing marital assets, Texas is a community property state, but other states follow different methods of distributing property. If you have children, custody and visitation rules vary from state to state. Your divorce attorney can explain how your family life is likely to be different for you during and after your divorce.

Since there are so many emotions involved in divorce, seeking out a psychologist can help you to feel confident that you are making a clear decision that is in your best interest. It can also help you in determining whether you need additional support around issues like abuse or depression which could affect the way in which you navigate your divorce case. When you select a psychologist, understand that you may not feel comfortable with the first psychologist that you visit, or the second, or even the third. Interacting with a psychologist is an intensely personal experience and it is well worth the time and effort to find someone you can trust who can support you before, during, and after your divorce.

Your financial situation may change drastically during and after your divorce, so be sure to consult a certified financial planner before diving in. Your financial planner can help you understand what effects your divorce is likely to have on your finances. The financial implications of divorce range from matters that affect day to day survival like income and expenses to periodic and long-term considerations like taxes and retirement. Your financial planner can take what you know about your financial situation and help you understand what your options could be both during and after your divorce.

Texas Family Law Attorney Alex Tyra – Texas Divorce Law Expertise You can Trust

The arrival of a new year brings with it a powerful surge of energy that you may want to use to transform your personal life. If you are planning ahead for a 2016 divorce, Texas Family Law Attorney Alex Tyra could help you. Call our office today, at (903) 753-7499.

Texas Family Law Attorney Shares Holiday Tips for Divorced or Divorcing Parents

Despite that song about the holidays being “the most wonderful time of the year”, November and December can be stressful, overwhelming, and sometimes even downright unpleasant for anyone, divorced or not. For people who are divorced or who are divorcing, this season can be incredibly challenging. Fortunately, as more and more people who are divorced learn from experience and share their stories about what works well during the holiday season and what does not work, those who are new to life during or after divorce can benefit tremendously. Here are a few things that might help you to navigate this holiday season successfully.

One common mistake that newly divorced or divorcing parents make during the holidays is assuming that since a parenting schedule has been agreed to in advance, everything will go smoothly and as planned. Unfortunately, this is not often the case. Weather can interfere with travel plans and school schedules, you or your children’s other parent may receive last-minute invitations to gatherings with family and or community events, or any one of a number of other things could happen which could threaten to derail even the most carefully planned out parenting schedule. Fortunately, there is a way from preventing at least some of these occurrences from turning into conflicts. Clear and honest communication as far in advance as possible regarding proposed changes to the parenting schedule can go a long way towards keeping both of you in a problem solving state of mind where you can work together to find solutions that will work for the whole family.

Gift-giving is another area in which divorced and divorcing parents often encounter trouble during the holidays. As is the case with parenting time, planning ahead for gift giving and communicating openly and honestly with your children’s other parent can help you avoid many conflicts. Most children enjoy creating holiday wish lists, and this can be very helpful for parents. Once your children have made their lists, have a conversation with your children’s other parent about which of you will give which gifts to which children. That same conversation is a good time for both of you to address any concerns over the appropriateness or feasibility of any of the gifts on the children’s lists. Working together on gift giving helps both of you to avoid unpleasant surprises, such as the children receiving duplicate gifts or gifts that would create conflict or a temptation for either parent to speak unkindly of the other in front of the kids. Also, children enjoy giving gifts to their parents. Since many children do not have the financial resources or the ability to go out and shop for a gift for their other parent on their own, you can show your support for your child and for their relationship with their other parent by helping them make or purchase something special for their other parent.

Texas Family Law Attorney Alex Tyra – The Legal Support You Need for Your Texas Divorce

The holiday season presents a number of challenges for divorced and divorcing parents. Fortunately, many conflicts can be avoided with clear communication and advance planning. However, despite your best efforts, things may happen during the holiday season that may cause you to require legal assistance.  If you need help with your Texas divorce now or at any time of the year, Texas Divorce Attorney Alex Tyra may be able to help you. Call our office today, at (903) 753-7499.

Texas Family Law Attorney Discusses Divorce after Age Fifty

Divorce knows no boundaries when it comes to age. Couples of any age can encounter difficulties in their marital relationships that they feel would be best resolved by divorce. While divorcing couples as a group may face similar challenges, there are some issues that are especially relevant to marriages in which one or both of the spouses are fifty years of age or older.

For example, all divorcing couples must deal with the issue of property distribution. Regardless of a couple’s age, navigating the issue of who gets to keep the marital home can be complicated. Older adults are even more likely to younger adults to have developed a deep attachment to their home, and they may be reluctant to think about going to live anywhere else. However, owning a home is not without its responsibilities. If you are thinking about trying to keep your home, remember that the costs of home ownership will be yours to bear, along with the cost of maintaining your home and either paying someone to maintain it or doing things like mowing the lawn, repairing things that break, and shoveling the driveway and walkways yourself. It is also important to remember that the spouse who keeps the home will get fewer of the couple’s other assets, in order to compensate the spouse who is not going to keep the house for his or her share of the home’s value.

Other financial considerations for adults over the age of fifty who are considering divorce include retirement and alimony. Depending upon what your spouse does for work and whether they have any retirement funds of their own, you may have a few different options for addressing the issue of dividing up retirement funds. For example, if your spouse has a smaller retirement fund than you do, they may ask you to provide them with some of your retirement income, or they may ask you to give them other assets in exchange for being able to retain all of your retirement funds. You and your spouse’s past and present work history will also affect the issue of alimony. If your spouse has done little to no work outside of the home during your marriage, they are likely to be awarded long-term alimony because their post-divorce employment prospects are not the same as a spouse who is currently employed or who held a job during some of the marriage.

Older couples are less likely than younger couples to have to make plans for parenting time, because often, all of their children have reached adulthood. Despite the lack of a formal requirement to address the needs of their children, many divorcing couples with adult children do think about and plan for the continued roles of their adult children in their lives. If you and your spouse have talked about involving your children as caregivers for you as you age, it is important that you discuss whether and how your divorce will impact any plans that you have made. Of course, this will necessarily involve consulting with your children and involving them in the decision making process.

Texas Family Law Attorney Alex Tyra – Comprehensive Legal Support for Divorcing Texans

Divorce can happen at any age. Older adults face all of the challenges that other divorcing couples must grapple with, as well as some additional issues like alimony and the roles of their adult children in their lives. If you have questions about divorce, Texas Family Law Attorney Alex Tyra can help you. Call our office today, at (903) 753-7499.

Texas Family Law Attorney Explains Collaborative Divorce

If you are considering filing for divorce, or if you have recently filed for divorce, you may have heard of the term “collaborative divorce”. If you have heard of collaborative divorce and you are wondering what it is, you have come to the right place. I feel as though it is important that divorcing Texans understand what collaborative divorce is, because it has been used to accomplish many positive outcomes in Texas divorce cases.

In a collaborative divorce, the parties work with their lawyers to reach agreements on the issues that are relevant to their case, instead of having a judge decide on those issues in court. Couples who have resolved their divorce cases through collaborative divorce are often very satisfied with the outcomes in their cases. Couples with children who have resolved their divorce cases through the process of collaborative divorce also report satisfaction with the outcomes of their cases, not only for themselves but for their children as well.

Collaborative divorce is a process that a couple may choose to engage in if both spouses are committed to resolving their divorce without litigation. Before a couple can resolve their divorce collaboratively, both parties must sign a contract which indicates their commitment to completing the process. That same contract also specifies that the attorneys who represent the spouses in their collaborative divorce are prohibited from representing either party in family-related litigation in the future.

It is important to note that the process of collaborative divorce is different from both arbitration and mediation. In arbitration, the parties explain their positions to an arbitrator, who then decides the outcome of the matter. Mediation is a process in which a neutral party, the mediator, works with the parties both separately and together in an attempt to reach an agreement. The process of collaborative divorce involves multiple meetings where both parties are present with their attorneys. The meetings have limited agendas, so as to keep the parties and their attorneys focused on and working towards the goal of reaching an agreement.

Collaborative divorce provides a method by which parties can work through the issues of parenting time, child support, and property distribution to craft a divorce agreement that could give each of them some of what they most want out of their divorce. Many couples with and without children are choosing collaborative divorce because it enables them to avoid the time, expense, and emotional turmoil that often accompanies a trial. Sometimes, even couples who are involved in high-conflict relationships are able to resolve their divorces through the collaborative divorce process because they go through the process with the assistance of their attorneys.

Texas Family Law Attorney Alex Tyra – Providing Strong Advocacy for Divorcing Texans

Getting divorced is not easy, but there are some options for resolving your divorce case that may be easier than others. If you would like to learn more about collaborative divorce, Texas Family Law Attorney Alex Tyra can help you. Call our office today, at (903) 753-7499.