Bedford Divorce Lawyers

Bailey & Galyen Will Help You Effectively Resolve Custody, Visitation, Support, and Property Disputes

Making the decision to file for divorce is never easy, particularly if you have minor children in the home. Even when you both agree that the marriage cannot be saved, it’s essential that you have experienced and knowledgeable counsel to protect your legal rights, someone who can:

Help you put a custody and visitation agreement in place that promotes the best interests of your children, while allowing you to play a meaningful role in their growth and development
Ensure that any child support order is fair, factoring in all income, as well as any special needs of the child
Help you determine if alimony or spousal maintenance is necessary, and, if so, whether it should be for a specific period of time or should be permanent
Work with you to divide marital property and debts in accordance with the community property laws in Texas

Let the proven divorce attorneys at Bailey & Galyen be your counsel.

At Bailey & Galyen, we have effectively handled divorce matters for men and women from Bedford and throughout the Lone Star State for more than four decades. We understand the Texas divorce process and can quickly and accurately examine the facts of your case, determine your rights and help you do the right things to protect all your rights. We have always valued hard work and open communication, as well as a commitment to the highest levels of client service and satisfaction. We know the importance of timely responses from your attorney and strive to return all your calls and emails as soon as possible.

We offer a free initial consultation to anyone contemplating or planning on filing for divorce. To set up an appointment with a compassionate and knowledgeable Bedford divorce lawyer, contact Bailey & Galyen online or call our offices at 817-345-0580.

What Can You Expect to Accomplish by Filing a Complaint for Divorce?

A marriage is essentially a contract. To terminate that agreement and no longer be bound by its terms, you must file a divorce complaint, asking the court to legally dissolve the marriage. As a part of the divorce process, you must customarily address and resolve the following issues:

Child custody and visitation, known in Texas as "managing conservatorship" and "access/possession"—This process determines where any minor children of the marriage will reside, as well as the rights of custodial and non-custodial parents to have time with and/or access to minor children
The payment of child support—Whether the non-custodial parent will be required to make payments to the custodial spouse for the benefit of minor children, as well as the amount and frequency of such payments
The potential need for alimony or spousal support—Whether one spouse should provide some level of financial support to the other spouse, and, if so, how much should be paid, how often and for how long.
How the parties will distribute the debts and assets accumulated during the marriage, as set forth in the Texas community property laws

What Is the Typical Time Frame for Completing a Texas Divorce?

The length of time it will take to complete a divorce will typically vary, based on a number of different factors, but primarily whether or not one of the spouses seeks to challenge custody, visitation or support agreements, or the division of marital debts and assets. Under Texas law, though, at a minimum, a court may not issue an order of divorce for at least 60 days after the date of the filing of the complaint. Assuming that a divorce is uncontested, it may be possible to finalize it in three to four months. However, when divorce involves any contested issues, it may take months or years to be resolved, based on the complexity of those disagreements.

How Does a No-Fault Divorce Differ from an At-Fault Divorce in Bedford?

Texas law does not require that a person filing for divorce state specific grounds for the termination of the marriage—you may simply allege “irreconcilable differences.” When you do, the process will be referred to as a “no-fault” divorce. Under the law, you are automatically entitled to file for a “no-fault” divorce if you have lived apart from your spouse for a minimum of three years (including if your spouse has been confined to a mental hospital for that length of time.)

If one party to a divorce can successfully demonstrate, though, that the other spouse essentially “caused” the breakdown of the marriage, the innocent party may be able to claim a greater percentage of the marital estate.

It’s important to understand, though, that a “no-fault” divorce is not the same thing as an “uncontested” divorce. The parties to an uncontested divorce simply choose not to dispute any issues related to custody, visitation, support and property division. An uncontested divorce may still be based on allegations of fault.

What Legal Grounds May Be Given for an "At-Fault" Divorce in Bedford?

The legal grounds for seeking at-fault divorce in Texas include:

Adultery or marital indiscretion by the other spouse
Mental or physical cruelty that makes cohabitation unbearable
Imprisonment for at least one year on a felony conviction
Abandonment by the other spouse for 12 months or longer

How Long Must You Wait after a Divorce in Texas to Get Remarried?

Texas law generally prohibits an individual from remarrying for at least 30 days from the date of the final divorce decree. Judges, however, have some discretion regarding the waiting period and may waive it in certain situations.

What Are the Basic Legal Requirements to Seek a Divorce in Texas?

To qualify to file for divorce in Texas, you must have lived in the Lone Star State for at least six months prior to the filing date of your complaint. Furthermore, you must have been a resident of the county where your divorce complaint is filed for at least three months before the date of filing.

What Are the Benefits of Having a Lawyer Handle My Bedford Divorce Case?

Don’t think that, just because your divorce is essentially uncontested, you don’t need to pay an attorney to take you through the process. In fact, even the simplest divorce can involve complex legal issues. If your ex has an attorney and you don’t, chances are good that you’ll get far less than you deserve. That may mean less time with your children, a smaller share of the marital estate, and unnecessary support obligations. Don’t expect, either, that the judge will ensure that your rights are protected.

Your attorney will know what documents need to be filed and when they are due, so that critical deadlines are not missed. Your lawyer can also anticipate the tactics and strategies of opposing counsel and take the necessary steps to help fully protect your rights. Your attorney should also review any child support or property settlement order to ensure that your rights are fully protected.

What Should I Look for In a Bedford Divorce Attorney?

Hiring the right lawyer to handle your divorce can be the difference between getting the outcome you want and settling for what’s left. Take the time to interview a number of attorneys, so that you find one you can trust and with whom you personally feel comfortable.

Typically, the most important factor when considering legal counsel is the experience they bring to your case. You want an attorney who has handled cases just like yours, who has successfully helped others get the outcome they want. At Bailey & Galyen, we’ve consistently obtained positive results for our divorce clients for more than 40 years.

Need Help with Your Divorce? Schedule a Free Initial Consultation

At the law offices of Bailey and Galyen, with offices across the Lone Star State, we are committed to helping you get the outcome you want. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We can schedule an appointment in the evening or on the weekend, if necessary, and can travel to meet with you.

To set up a consultation to discuss your concerns about a divorce, call our offices at 817-345-0580 or contact us by email.