how to file for divorce in harris county without a lawyer

If you are a resident of Harris County or Houston, you would file your divorce with the Harris County District Clerk ’s office. You can file online. However, you may also be able to file in person. If you reside in a suburb of Houston, such as Montgomery, Galveston, or Waller, you would file with the local county district clerk there.

Full Answer

How do I file for divorce in Harris County Texas?

Here are 2 Options for how to file the divorce. Option 1— Cook & Cook files the case for you (we will handle your uncontested divorce from start to finish — see our process) OR- Option 2— File the papers in person. OR- Option 3: Register for an online service such as Texas EFile, and file the papers from this page online.

How do I file for a no-fault divorce in Texas?

Aug 17, 2021 · If you are a resident of Harris County or Houston, you would file your divorce with the Harris County District Clerk ’s office. You can file online. However, you may also be able to file in person. If you reside in a suburb of Houston, such as Montgomery, Galveston, or Waller, you would file with the local county district clerk there.

How to prepare for a divorce in the state of Texas?

Your first step is to get the correct Harris County divorce papers from the clerk of the Harris County district court. The divorce papers you need include: A petition for divorce A summons for your spouse Financial affidavits detailing your joint and individual assets, income, debts, and expenses, as well as details of any minor children

Where do I serve my spouse with divorce papers in Texas?

Divorce in Harris County - file for divorce online without lawyer fees Complete Texas divorce documents online $139 Step by step filling instructions Award-winning customer care Providing the best service on the market WITH ONLINE DIVORCE your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed Check If You Qualify Answer Detailed Questions Review Completed Forms

How much does it cost to file for divorce in Harris County?

The fee is $350 for filing the petition, with an additional $3.00 for electronic service and $14.00 for certified service.

Can I file for divorce online in Harris County?

Where to File Divorce Papers in Harris County. If you are a resident of Harris County or Houston, you would file your divorce with the Harris County District Clerk's office. You can file online. However, you may also be able to file in person.Aug 17, 2021

Can you get a divorce in Texas without going to court?

There is no need for a formal trial in an uncontested divorce. Most of the time, the judge will go ahead and grant the divorce under the agreed terms. In Texas, there is a mandatory waiting period until the divorce becomes law. This period is 60 days in most cases.Feb 22, 2021

How can I get a divorce without a lawyer in Texas?

How to File for an Uncontested Divorce Without an Attorney in...Meet Texas's Residency Requirements. ... Get a Petition of Divorce. ... Sign and Submit the Petition. ... Deliver a Petition Copy to Your Spouse. ... Finalize Settlement Agreement. ... Attend Divorce Hearing. ... File the Final Decree with the Clerk.

How do I start the divorce process?

To start the divorce you will need to the following: File a document, called a Petition, to the Court to initiate the divorce process. Only one spouse can file for a divorce (the Petitioner). The other party is known as the Respondent. ... Apply for a Decree Nisi. Apply for a Decree Absolute.

Can you e file for divorce in Texas?

You can e-file directly at the end of some of the interviews. If you can't e-file at the end, save your documents and follow the instructions in the next step to e-file. Below are links to the divorce interview(s).Jul 13, 2021

Can both parties file for divorce?

A joint petition for divorce allows both spouses to file for divorce together. Depending on the state you live in, if two people want to get a divorce and it is uncontested or no-fault, they have the option to file a joint petition for dissolution of marriage.

What is the cheapest way to get a divorce in Texas?

Contested vs. If your divorce is likely going to be uncontested, this is the least expensive and less stressful route. Typically, you will work with your spouse to complete all of the necessary divorce forms and submit them to the District Clerk's Office at your local county courthouse.Aug 7, 2020

How much does a divorce cost in Texas without a lawyer?

How Much Does an Uncontested Divorce Cost in Texas? The average cost of uncontested divorce in Texas ranges between $300 and $5,000, depending on whether lawyers are involved. In general, it is the cheapest and the quickest option available in any state.

What paperwork do I need to file for divorce in Texas?

In most cases, you will need to file the following forms:Civil Case Information Sheet.Bureau of Vital Statistics Form.Petition for Divorce.Waiver of Service.Certificate of Last Known Address.Final Decree of Divorce, and.Affidavit of Military Status.

What court do I file for divorce in Harris County?

For most spouses in Houston, TX, the place to file your divorce will be with the Harris County District Clerk's office. If you reside in a suburb of Houston, you may need to file with the Montgomery, Matagorda, Galveston, Waller, etc., district clerk.Aug 9, 2020

Can you get divorced without going to court?

An uncontested divorce is one in which you and your spouse work together to agree on the terms of your divorce. You will both consult with the same attorney, who will be unbiased and impartial. There is no formal trial, and only the plaintiff appears in court.

You will need

Get a properly filled out, 2019 Harris County Petition for Divorce, by using this tool on our website for creating a Harris County divorce petition.

45Contacting the Law Library

When going through this process, I know you will likely want to talk to someone on the telephone. Harris County does not enable much access to divorce help on the telephone. The District Clerk’s line (713) 755-7300 will just lead you to an automated phone message that you need to go to the library in person to get help.

Where to File Divorce Papers in Harris County

If you are a resident of Harris County or Houston, you would file your divorce with the Harris County District Clerk ’s office. You can file online. However, you may also be able to file in person. If you reside in a suburb of Houston, such as Montgomery, Galveston, or Waller, you would file with the local county district clerk there.

Steps to File for Divorce in Houston and Harris County

Filing for divorce must be done with care, and it is very important not to leave any information out on the forms.

What Is an Uncontested Divorce?

An uncontested divorce is common in simpler situations such as where the parties do not have much property, do not have children, or have already agreed on all issues. To qualify for an uncontested divorce, the parties must:

What Are the Benefits of Working with a Divorce Attorney?

Divorce is a very complicated and time-consuming process. It can be an exhausting, emotional process even if you are confident in your decision. An experienced divorce attorney that is familiar with the laws, processes, and local judges can take a lot of that stress off your shoulders. Attorneys are trained to protect your legal rights.

Contact the Larson Law Office to Handle Your Divorce in Houston and Harris County

At The Larson Law Office, our practice focuses on family law matters including divorce, custody, mediation, marital property division, and spousal support. We will work closely with you to help you make the best possible decisions for yourself, your children, and your property.

Where to file for divorce in Texas?

The filing spouse (plaintiff) should collect the required divorce forms for their divorce in Texas, fill out these divorce papers, and file a Petition for Divorce through the District Clerk's office.

What are the grounds for divorce in Texas?

These grounds for divorce in Texas include: adultery; cruelty or violence; abandonment/desertion (1 yr.); insanity ( confinement in a mental hospital for at least 3 yrs.); conviction of felony and imprisonment at least 1 yr. (unless spouse testifies against convicted spouse).

What is the Texas Family Code for divorce?

Divorce in Harris County with children is ruled by the Texas Family Code, which is the single law for the entire state. Texas Family Code, Title 5, Chapter 153 establishes the best interest of the child as the primary consideration of the court in determining any issues of custody and visitation of the child.

How long do you have to live in Texas before filing for divorce?

6.301, either spouse must have been living in the state for the prior six-month period and in Harris County for at least the previous 90 days before filing the Original Petition for Divorce. 2.

How much does it cost to file for divorce in Texas?

At the same time that the Petition for Divorce is filed, the plaintiff has to pay a court filing fee, which is approximately $300 in Harris County, Texas. The exact amount of the filing fee, as well as other court costs, will depend on the case.

What is the final decree of divorce in Texas?

7.001 of the Texas Family Code, the court distributes the property as it deems just and right, having due regard for the rights of each party and the children of the marriage.

Can both parents pay child support in Texas?

When going through the process with a child, either or both parents may be ordered to make payments for the support of the child. Nevertheless, despite the presumption of joint custody, Texas courts usually order child support to be paid by the parent with whom the child does not live.

Filing for Divorce in Harris County, Georgia (GA)

Full-scope divorce attorneys handle everything in the case, from start to finish, and advocate their client's interests. They also must represent their clients in court if necessary.

Online divorce in Harris County, Georgia (GA)

Online divorce is popular among couples who want to arrange a divorce without an attorney but don't want to spend time on paperwork.

1. Meet Texas's Residency Requirements

Before you can even file for an uncontested divorce in Texas, you or your spouse must continuously reside in the state for the six months immediately prior to filing for divorce. If neither spouse meets this requirement, you cannot file for a divorce in Texas.

2. Get a Petition of Divorce

A Petition of Divorce is the form you will submit to the court that formally starts the divorce proceedings. You can obtain this petition from the county clerk's office in the Texas county district court where you are a resident.

3. Sign and Submit the Petition

Once completed, sign the petition and file it with the clerk's office. You need two copies of the form. Once you pay the filing fee, the clerk assigns a case number and stamps your petition as received.

4. Deliver a Petition Copy to Your Spouse

Deliver the second copy of the divorce petition to your spouse. You can either hand deliver it yourself, have the county sheriff's office deliver it, or hire a private party to serve the papers. You must obtain proof of service, which is subsequently filed with the clerk's office.

5. Finalize Settlement Agreement

The clerk's office will set a day for your court hearing after you complete the necessary paperwork. The hearing cannot take place until the 60 day "cooling off" period has passed. You and your spouse should utilize this time to finalize any settlement agreement and prepare the final divorce decree.

6. Attend Divorce Hearing

After the 60-day period, you and your spouse must attend the divorce hearing. At the hearing, a judge reviews all your filed paperwork—including the Petition of Divorce, settlement agreement, and divorce decree. The judge will likely ask questions to ensure that both parties are in agreement on all aspects of the divorce.

7. File the Final Decree with the Clerk

Take the final, signed divorce decree and file it with the clerk's office. You should ask the clerk for two certified copies of the decree; you keep one and give the other to your spouse.