How to Get a Cheap Divorce in Texas

Published on: 28 December 2018 Last Updated on: 06 May 2021

Did you know that, according to statistics, the average cost of a divorce in the US is almost equal to the average cost of a wedding with all the bells and whistles ($20-25 000)? Sounds impressive, and not much fun, especially taking into consideration the fact that many people on the verge of divorce feel that they have already paid in full. Thus it’s no wonder that some people who don’t need their divorce to be a huge show, are looking for ways to save a little when drafting a divorce, without involving lawyers or mediators. But how to arrange such a cheap divorce? How to save money without missing any significant detail and to settle all the necessary issues in a fair and mutually beneficial way? There are several common conditions and ways of how to get a cheap divorce in Texas – let’s sort it out.

Are you a good candidate for a simplified Texas divorce?

Foremost, we should understand what factors allow to minimize the whole cost of divorce, because, anyway, the main goal is a well-organized divorce without problems and without extra expenses which may arise in the future if you are not sufficiently attentive to the documents, agreement and so on. To understand what is really worth paying, and without what actions and expenses you can easily do, you need to decide on the type of divorce.

When filing for divorce, one of the provided by state law grounds for dissolution must be indicated in the petition. To make divorce easier it’s better to file under the no-fault ground (surely, if the situation is not critical). No-fault divorce in Texas implies that the spouses want to divorce as they have some conflict of interest and just can’t get along anymore. No one is obliged to prove or detail something before the court.

No-fault ground for divorce, in its turn, allows arranging an uncontested divorce, which means that the main terms of the case are decided by the spouses independently, not by the long-term court battles and the court’s decisions.

So, if you feel that you are able to negotiate with your spouse about property division, child custody, and other important issues, you should try an uncontested, or as it’s also known “agreed” divorce. It’s definitely cheaper, even both parties want to hire attorneys, and also, uncontested divorce typically takes less time.

It’s generally considered that not every couple is eligible for an uncontested divorce in Texas. Actually, there are some conditions that are preferred for filing for an uncontested divorce, like:

the spouses have no minor children together;
the spouses don’t have a lot of property together or retirement benefits to dividing;
neither spouse is going to seek alimony;
the wish to get a divorce is mutual.

However, if the spouses have minor children they also have the right to file for an uncontested divorce, though it might be a more time-consuming process. The point is that the parties should decide in advance all the controversial issues, make a written agreement and fill out the relevant forms for an uncontested divorce with children.

Anyway, the essence of an agreed divorce is your mutual ability and desire to settle all the differences in a most amicable way, to communicate honestly and directly, and, whenever possible, to arrange a divorce as a non-stressful and inexpensive process. If you and your ex are ready for this, let’s go further.

DIY divorce – when attention to detail is essential

To arrange a cheap divorce in Texas, you can fill out the forms yourself by checking your state’s court website for divorce papers, or contacting the clerk of the family court of your county. Such a procedure is known as do-it-yourself divorce. And surely, there are some features and pitfalls you should definitely know about the topic before taking this step.
First, you need to clearly know what forms are necessary for your divorce circumstances.

The Texas Judicial Branch website provides a self-help guide with a number of recommended and state-approved links which may be useful for the self-represented litigants. You can find examples of filling out forms, useful videos, etc. Get ready for the fact that having a goal to save money, you probably will not always be able to save time. Without the help of specialists, you will have to dive into the legal nuances of uncontested divorce in Texas if you are interested in the best result.

After filling out the divorce forms and filing the Petition with the District Clerk of the county court according to the instructions you should serve your spouse with the copies. Since your desire to get a cheap divorce in Texas is mutual you may save some cost of service.

There is a divorce form called the Notice of Service of Process which usually accompanies the Petition for dissolution. This form is needed to notify the other party (called the Respondent) about the case and to receive his/her answer to the Petition. Speaking of uncontested divorce, it’s assumed that both spouses know about each other intentions, and all the divorce terms outlined in the initial Petition are agreed by them in advance, meaning that they are going to cooperate working on the settlement. So, the Respondent may refuse from the service in writing, filing the special Waiver of service form (notice that even if the general title is the same there are different forms for divorce with or without children, you just need to choose the right set of forms).

After the Petition is filed and the service is waived, an uncontested divorce is officially started. However, in Texas, there is a mandatory 60-day waiting period, before the expiration of which the divorce cannot be granted by the court, even if the case is simple and uncontested. For those who decide to organize a DIY divorce, these days may be spent working out a final agreement regarding property, alimony, custody of children, and other issues that seem to be important in a particular situation. The mutual desire of the spouses to complete the divorce as soon as possible and without disputes is very important, but it still doesn’t guarantee that judicial intervention won’t be required. Anyway, the settlement agreement must be submitted to the court and the judge must confirm that it is fair – namely, that the property is divided in a just way, that the child custody and support arrangement meets the best interest of the kid(s). So, if the spouses do not have claims against each other but their agreement is considered insufficient in the eye of the court (or it doesn’t comply with state laws) the divorce will be probably delayed. Also, the spouses may be ordered to attend divorce mediation sessions to deal with their agreement. Although mediators’ fees are still much cheaper than lawyers’ fees, yet it’s expenses. And if your case is simple enough your chance to get a really cheap divorce depends a lot on your sense of responsibility, and close attention to all the details. You shouldn’t panic or rush, just keep calm and encourage your ex to take the work on an agreement seriously as well. As for uncontested divorce, a successful marital settlement agreement defines a character of a post-divorce life a lot, especially if the couple has kids and some kind of communication between the former spouses is still implied.

Online divorce – the helping hand

So, the cheapest way to get a divorce in Texas is a purely DIY divorce. At its best, the cost of a do-it-yourself divorce may be limited to the filing fee. Nevertheless, DIY divorce doesn’t fit every couple, and all these court sites can be pretty tricky, while nowadays we are totally “spoiled” by developers who pay much attention to the ergonomics of apps and websites, so you know, there may be some difficulties with all that online bureaucracy… Also, different forms can be required within different states as well as fees, which are in addition to fees for document preparation. So, a lot of busy people seek a kind of middle way between, they want an inexpensive divorce to be fast, and so that they could use some help but without hiring an attorney.

Basing on all these conditions, online divorce companies are becoming an even more popular way for couples to terminate their marriage, speaking of uncontested divorce, of course.

Such websites prepare forms for you based on the information you provide. There is no specific package of services; you can choose the most suitable option. Thus some companies are the do-it-yourself type where you fill out the forms yourself, and others prepare your documents, many of the top sites will review the forms. Usually, they have attorneys or divorce paralegals who also can explain and provide detailed information on your divorce process.

What’s really good, is that these divorce documents are customized to your county’s rules, your children, your income, assets, and other factors in your case, and you don’t need to seek all the information and nuances by yourself. You receive the prepared, ready to print, and sign divorce forms after a short online interview, without long completion or delivery periods. If time is money – we should use it well.

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Seven ways to Support Family and Friends with Special Needs

When parents decide to start their journey of parenthood, they hope that they will get and bring up a perfectly healthy child. However, many are the times when genetic defects, birth complications, injuries, and other problems get in the way, and differently gifted children are born. Not many people take the time needed to understand people with disabilities, and even fewer people are willing to go out of their way to offer them support. If you have family or friends with special needs, here are a few ways in which you can make them feel your love and support. 1. Talk to them: Not many people know this but whether it is at work, school, at home and in other social setups, the productivity of people with disabilities and those close to them depends a lot on the attitude of the general community towards them. If the community around a disabled person has formed a negative attitude and barriers to their inclusion, they end up withdrawing and doubting their capabilities. On the other hand, when they are made to feel included and accepted they blossomed. Parents of children who have disabilities admit that they like it when a stranger walks up to them in a park and shows genuine interest to learn about their child’s condition. What people appreciate the most are people who take time to ask specific questions. For instance, ask how the child’s physical therapy is going as opposed to asking something general or offering that supportive smiles. At times you will find that people with disabilities need a listening ear, and they appreciate it when you take time and pay attention to details about their lives. 2. Be aware of personal space: People with disabilities often use mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes and other items. What most people do not understand is that most view these aides as part of their personal space. When interacting with disabled people, you always have to respect their personal space. If for instance, you want to assist them in pushing their wheelchair, do not just grab and start pushing at it, ask them if it is okay to help them move from one point to the other, you can push the chair when they agree. The same applies to when you feel they need you to support them in standing up, sitting down or other movements. You can start by saying something like, “Here, let me help you,” and then wait for their consent. If they feel that you are patronizing them or treating them like they are completely helpless, they will push back and reject your help. 3. Be thoughtful: There is nothing that whispers support to a disabled person more than knowing that you thought about them before you made the plans that you have made. It means that if for instance, you planned a meeting, you made sure that the room was accessible via wheelchair and there are ramps and other relevant accessibility and support features. It is also important to always inform them about all the plans which you have made for the meetings and other get-together arrangements so they can prepare well in advance. 4. Treat them normally: One of the most difficult corners to navigate when dealing with people who have disabilities is learning how to interact with them without making them feel abnormal. Most people think that being sensitive to these people is about hiding the achievement of their normal kids and clapping when the disabled kid does something that is simple and normal. When interacting with disabled people, do not minimize yourself or your child’s achievements. Learn that the disabled kid might not do things like regular kids, but they still get things done, eventually. Treat them like just any other kid, and they will respond positively to this. 5. Do not try too much: Another mistake people make when interacting with disabled people is the need to know what to say and what to do at all times. The truth is that disabled people are just like everyone else. It is okay to have a slip of the tongue when interacting with them. It is alright to listen to them when they are telling you about their complications and tell them that you honestly do not know what to say. If you have no idea how to help them when they are at their weakest, it is still okay to sit with them and listen. Your presence is reassuring enough for them. 6. Go an extra mile in the extreme seasons: Disabled people tend to struggle a lot more than everyone else in. They have to cope with inaccessible sidewalks, flare-ups which are triggered by the low temperatures, chronic pain and other issues that result from being stuck at home too long. These are the things you can do to ease their discomfort during this season: Take food to them-it is possible that they will not access grocery stores and farmers markets Visit them and spend the time to end the feeling of loneliness and depression. Send them a message and genuinely ask how they are faring Help them around the house and help them shovel and salt their driveways. 7. Support their dreams: There is nothing that says love to a disabled person than when you genuinely support their work. People with disability wake up in the morning because they believe they can rise against the odds and make a difference. The least that you can do to make their world a little easier to manage is to support their dreams and their work. When they tell you they are having a talent show, be present and cheer them on. Buy their art, shop from their outlets and all other small gestures which will make them feel appreciated. These are just a few of the things that you could do to help people with disabilities. In case you interact with them and realize they may need counseling from professionals, you can reach out to Regional & Rural Toowoomba Psychologists. They are well equipped to offer the support needed to make the lives of people with disabilities simple. Read Also: Practical Ways To Help Your Elderly Parents 7 Interesting Gifts For Your Best Friends Ways To Emotionally Deal With Chronic Illness Tips For Throwing A Family Reunion People Will Remember For Years 8 Family Friendly Careers That Offer Great Pay And Work-Life Balance

Things every Employee ought to know about Medical and Family Leaves

Family and medical leaves are necessarily crucial for every employee who works in an organization. Different countries have different laws that let a worker permit adequate leaves whenever required. An organization has a provision for leaves, and one has the right to apply for the leaves whenever necessary. But the undeniable truth is; some company’s don’t offer paid leaves to their employees while some of them are not eligible for unpaid leaves! One can consider taking legal action against the firm if they are not provided with the benefits of medical and family leaves. Here we’ll be discussing the aspects related to family and medical leaves and the associated laws. Medical Leave Request One can consider a Medical Leave whenever they wish to: The law provides an employee the legal right to apply for medical leaves whenever they are feeling sick, or require treatment for a disease. Sometimes, depending on the type of the disease, one can apply for adequate leaves until the illness is completely cured. However, one needs to fulfill certain criteria to be eligible for the medical leaves. A proper medical certificate from the hospital must be presented to the company to avoid unnecessary deductions from the salary. In some rare cases, you have to manage with unpaid leaves due to different policies of the organization. Women usually face issues with the employer when they require maternity leaves during their pregnancy. Some organizations have strict policies that offer limited leaves and that too under certain circumstances. One can challenge these policies in the court to get the maximum benefit of maternity leaves. You May Not Be Entitled to Family Leaves without a Medical Proof: Before you just apply for the sick leaves or family leaves, you must always keep in mind that your organization may demand medical proof from a reputed doctor. Sometimes you may require to leave to attend your family member who is suffering from a serious illness. This is a condition, which may not entitle you to a paid medical leave, but you can still expect casual leaves from your organization. It is advised that one should give advanced notice if they require more than two leaves for the treatment of a critical disease. Moreover, a valid health certificate is required for the same. You Need to Serve the Company for at least 12 Weeks for Entitling for Leaves: Another crucial aspect related to the family and medical leaves is the overall period that you have served the company. One can expect leaves from the company when they have at least worked for 12 weeks. Apart from this, in most of the cases, these leaves are unpaid leaves. You can take leaves of a maximum of 12 weeks without getting paid. You may get another Job Profile depending on the Availability of a Vacancy: Once you are ready to join the organization after a long time, your company has the right to appoint you to a different position depending on the availability of a post. The organization can’t deny appointing you again, but the job profile may vary. Be sure you discuss these things with your employer in advance. These are perhaps the aspects related to the medical and family leaves that every employer should know. Read More : 1. The Disturbing Trend Of Multiple Chronic Medical Conditions 2. Ten Interview Tips That Might Surprise You: The Medical Edition

Moving Companies and How they Determine Their Cost (…and Decreasing It)

You can either reduce or increase your stress on the moving day, depending on the service you pick. Here’s what we mean. If a person has all the funds in the world, they can afford to get every aspect of their move taken care of. This certainly will reduce the stress they will face. If a person is on a tight budget, they will likely face more stress. Because they will have to handle a lot of things that they could easily have outsourced. Since most folks do not have all the money in the world, it is important for them to understand how moving companies arrive at their fees. Having this information may be helpful in helping them plan their move a lot better to both reduce the cost to them as well as the stress they will face. Major Cost Determinants So, what are the factors that determine how much a person will pay when moving? There are a lot of different factors that can influence the cost, as we can see here, but we will only focus on the main ones. Distance This is one cost that most people can understand. A long-distance move will most certainly cost way more than a local move. Therefore, the further your destination is from your point of origin, the more you can expect to pay, and this is regardless of whatever method you choose for the move. Many moving companies determine the distance costs by considering different variables. It is important that you find out the exact distance and communicate the same to the moving company. Credible and reputable companies like H2H Movers are not going to haggle about the prices if the variations in distances are marginal in nature. Stuff To Move! What you are moving to will also affect your cost. First, consider the quantity, size, and weight of the different items you need to move. This will determine the size of the vehicle required and how much you will pay. Consideration will also be given to the cost of the items to be moved. There are some items that will have to be handled by specialists. Some of these include expensive artworks and antiques. Bringing in expert handlers will certainly cost you more money. Present Location and Destination Where you are taking off from and where you are headed will also affect your cost. While your present location may not be as impactful on your cost as the destination, both play a part. If, for example, your present location is not easily accessible, the company will consider this. The same applies to your destination. Simple things like the absence of a functioning lift in a high-rise building will attract some additional charges as movers will be forced to use the stairs. There’s also the issue of the operational centers of the company you choose to work with. If a company has operational centers in both your take-off city and your destination, chances are that your cost will be lower. The reason is simple. A company that operates from both bases can easily get another moving job for the van that took your stuff there. On the other hand, a company that does not operate from your destination will have to return to base empty, an expense that will likely be added to you. Moving Option The choice you make about how you intend to move will be the major determinant of what you will pay, as this will influence all other costs. You can check out a list of moving options here: https://www.thespruce.com/best-way-to-move-your-stuff-2436686. A full-service move will cost you more in monetary terms than a self-move. Services Offered Within the option to use a moving company, you have individual services that can add to your cost. Some of the services that moving companies will offer include: Extended insurance. Packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking. Disassembly and reassembly of furniture. Storage space. Cleaning services. These are just a few examples of services that can be offered. How many of these will you pay? Timing Many folks are not aware of this. When you schedule your move, it can also affect your cost. Moving companies have periods regarded as peak periods and those regarded as off-peak periods. Scheduling a move during a peak period automatically means a higher cost to you. Weekends, holidays, and summer are regarded as peak periods, while weekdays, fall, and winter are off-peak periods. By understanding some of these factors, you can then think of how to work around them to get and enjoy lower rates. Let’s now briefly look at how you can lower your moving costs. How to Lower Your Costs We understand that moving could be costly, so here is how you can save a few bucks. Determine Your Budget Getting this sorted out right from the start can be helpful. Determine how much you are willing to spend so you can ensure that all your expenses fall within this budget. Compare Moving Methods Look at the different moving options and decide which will fit into your budget. You can find some examples above. You can also calculate moving costs online on sites like 9Kilo Moving. They will help you compare quotes from different companies. This will make it easier for you to choose an appropriate moving method. Schedule Your Move for Off-peak Periods Remember what we said above about peak and off-peak periods. Schedule your move for an off-peak period. Start Packing Early Get all your stuff sorted out very early. This ensures that your movers do not have to spend unnecessary time. Time is money (This is, of course, if you have chosen to work with movers). If you are handling it yourself, things will be easier and less stressful for you. Look for Free Packing Boxes Getting free packing boxes and other materials will mean you won’t have to buy or rent them. This, of course, is another avenue through which some savings can be made. Pack Only What You Really Need Saving money on moving can be a challenge when you are just shifting to a brand-new city for your new job. This is why you need all the advice you can get to make the move a little better. Moving too Quickly ? (..For a Job) Sometimes, you must relocate too fast. Especially when it comes to landing a new job. Moving quickly for a job can feel stressful, but if you prepare yourself correctly and follow the right steps, moving in haste doesn’t have to be a crazy, chaotic mess. Here’s how to handle a rapid move for job purposes without losing your mind. 1. Make a To-Do List and Stick with It First things first—prioritize! Create a checklist of everything you need to do, from finding a new place to live to scheduling the move. Try to break down the tasks by days and tackle the most important ones first. Since time is of the essence, focus on the essentials: securing housing, transferring your job documents, and notifying your current landlord or utility companies. You’ll also want to gather any important documents related to your job, like offer letters, employment contracts, and references, so they’re easily accessible during the move. If you are moving countries, then password & work visa are the two important items you should always clutch. 2. Downsize and Declutter One of the easiest ways to ensure a fast and efficient move is by hiring professionals. If you’re in a time crunch, your best bet is to hire a full-service moving company to handle all aspects of your move. They will have the experience, equipment, and manpower to pack, load, transport, and unload your belongings quickly and safely. Albeit it will be a little too costly, think of it as a one-time investment which can secure you from the haphazard of moving. If your budget allows for it, hiring professional movers who are experienced in fast relocations can be a game changer. They’ll pack up, load up, and unload everything far more quickly than you ever could, leaving you with more time to take care of the million other things that need your attention. Many moving companies even offer quick emergency services specifically for those needing an instant relocation. Keep in mind that if you do decide to hire pros, you’ll want to book them as soon as possible so they don’t get booked out on your target move date. 3. Let the Right People and Places Know Don’t forget to update your address and let important people and organizations know about your big move. This includes your bank, insurance provider, and any subscriptions you may have. You should also reach out to friends and family members—simply to give them a clue or to see if they can possibly assist with the move. Just because you’re moving in a hurry does not mean you need to go do it alone. If assistance is offered, take it! Final Thoughts Relocating can be overwhelming, but it’s not impossible. With some preparation and the right tools at your disposal, you can make sure your fast move goes smoothly. Be sure to give yourself enough time to get everything done, downsize if necessary, and consider hiring professional movers to help ease some of the stress of moving. However, you do it, just try to stay organized — and keep calm while doing so. Losing your head won't bring any successful outcome! Lastly, moving to a new place could always be an exciting experience, so embrace it without worrying about where any of your belongings are packed! Read Also: 10 Steps To Move In Your New House 10 Things To Do Before You Move Out Of State 7 Helpful Tips During An Emergency Moving Process

How to Get a Cheap Divorce in Texas

Are you a good candidate for a simplified Texas divorce?

DIY divorce – when attention to detail is essential

Online divorce – the helping hand

Become A Foster Parent – Make An Impact On The Community

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Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

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Related

Seven ways to Support Family and Friends with Special Needs

Things every Employee ought to know about Medical and Family Leaves

Moving Companies and How they Determine Their Cost (…and Decreasing It)

How to Get a Cheap Divorce in Texas

Are you a good candidate for a simplified Texas divorce?

DIY divorce – when attention to detail is essential

Online divorce – the helping hand

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Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

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Popular

Follow Us

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