There is no such thing as a simple divorce!
At least once a day, our attorneys receive a phone call from a prospective client shopping for a lawyer whose first words to us are:
“I have a simple divorce, how much will it cost?”
This statement obviously is made in an effort to obtain a divorce without incurring substantial legal fees. Over the next five minutes, however, we explain to the caller why a divorce is not simple. A divorce is a civil cause of action in a District Court subject to the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure just like any case involving large corporations and millions of dollars. Unlike small claims court, the rules of procedure in District Court can be unforgiving. One can easily waive substantial legal rights without the assistance of a lawyer.
Naturally, most people find the prospect of a divorce to be a very unpleasant matter that they wish to get behind them as fast as possible and with as little emotional, psychological and monetary pain (legal fees) as possible. We understand your situation and we try to make every effort to limit the cost of attorneys’ fees as much as possible. Nevertheless, even a simple divorce (i.e. a brief marriage without children and little or no debts or assets) is still a complicated legal matter.
Recently, there has been an alarming trend of people filing for divorce on their own without the assistance of legal counsel. In many cases, we see the messy aftermath from people who need our assistance to clean up important matters that were left unresolved, or to deal with critical issues that were overlooked in a rush to get a quick and cheap divorce. Please consult with an experienced family law attorney first before attempting to handle your divorce alone. Nothing can make a divorce a simple process. In the overwhelming majority of cases, hiring an experienced attorney is the best chance to make the process as painless as possible. Please give us a call; we are here to help.
CHILD CUSTODY
Contested child custody matters are among the most difficult and trying cases in the law. Emotions run high and the experience is never pleasant. The stakes involve the things that matter most to both parents: their children. It is critical to have an experienced child custody attorney who is familiar with the unique complexities involved in these types of matters. It is important to have an attorney who has the experience to look at all of the factors that may impact what is deemed by the Court to be “in the best interests of the children” and to fight hard for your custodial rights. Jim Claunch has been board certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1979, and has over 50 years’ experience in handling the most difficult kinds of family law and child custody matters. Please give us a call when you are facing these issues. We want to help.