Divorce can be a confusing process. As such, the two most important things you can do are hire an experienced The Woodlands, Texas divorce lawyer and read up on some of the most important divorce-related terms that you’ll most likely encounter along the way. Our firm has briefly outlined some of the most prominent divorce-related terms below.
5 Key Divorce Terms
- Property Distribution: Texas is a community property state, which means that when a couple gets divorced without a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement in place, courts will often determine who gets to keep which assets, including the marital home, vehicles, and more.
- Child Custody: Child custody is one of the most frequently-contested issues in any divorce, as no good parent wants to spend less time with their child or play less of a role in raising their child. That said, the reality is that often, one parent already plays a more significant role in raising the child even during a marriage, and in many cases, courts will determine it’s in the child’s best interest to continue being primarily raised by that parent after a divorce. Courts will, however, consider a range of factors when determining a custody agreement, though they all revolve around a child’s best interests.
- Child Support: Parents with primary custody of their children often are entitled to child support payments. This support helps parents pay for food, clothing, and other basic needs. To learn more about child support and the formula used to calculate it in Texas, simply click here to read the state statute.
- Spousal Maintenance: It’s commonplace in many states for the court to calculate an amount of spousal maintenance, also known as alimony, that the financially independent spouse will have to pay the financially dependent spouse for a period of time after a divorce. This support is designed to help the dependent spouse retain the standard of living established in the marriage and eventually become financially independent. That said, alimony is seldom a part of divorce agreements in Texas, and it’s important you understand this before going through the process.
- Post-Judgment Modifications: As time passes after a divorce, people often find their lives have changed and their initial divorce agreement no longer accurately reflects their current situation. For example, as children age, a custody agreement that was appropriate when they were younger may no longer be appropriate. In general, when a person incurs a material and substantial change, they may have grounds to seek a post-judgment modification.
Contact Our The Woodlands, Texas Firm
If you are looking for an expert Montgomery County divorce lawyer, Bolton Law is the right law firm for you. Bolton Law’s legal team handles all family law matters, including divorce, child custody, child support, spousal maintenance, and much more. Contact Bolton Law today to schedule your initial consultation.
