how to file for divorce in houston texas without a lawyer

You do not need to hire a lawyer to get a divorce in Texas unless you plan to sue on specific grounds or you want to contest the division of assets (which is 50/50 in Texas). You can file for divorce by filling out the case information sheet, a petition for divorce, and a suit affecting the family relationship form at your local state courthouse.

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How do I file for divorce without an attorney in Texas?

Jun 26, 2020 · The experience of geting divorce in Texas. How to file for divorce in Texas. To get started with the preparation of divorce papers in Texas, you need to complete the following: Submit the petition for marriage dissolution to the court. Pay the filing fees. Submit the completed petition to the clerks office. The minimum term for getting a ...

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

Log in to your account and download the printable documents in PDF-format. Go to your local courthouse and file for divorce, following the provided step-by-step instructions. 100% Service Satisfaction Guarantee All forms produced by DIY Texas Online Divorce are authorized for use by the Supreme Court of Texas.

Can a non-resident get a divorce in Texas?

Dec 14, 2016 · Qualifying. In order to qualify for divorce in Texas, you must meet a few simple criteria. First, you or your spouse must live in Texas for the previous six months. You’ll also need to live in the county that you file for 90 days. After that, you will need to have “grounds” or a legal reason to divorce.

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

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.

Can I file my own divorce papers in Texas?

As a no-fault divorce state, Texas allows you to file for divorce without an attorney. The process is fairly simple, and it is a whole lot cheaper than paying lawyers to expose every hidden detail of your married life.

How do you divorce your spouse in Texas without a lawyer?

The easiest way to file for divorce in Texas is when both spouses agree on all issues and want to separate without conflicts. They usually work on a settlement agreement together without a lawyer before filing for divorce. Next, the litigants file their case with the court.Sep 23, 2021

How can I get a free divorce in Texas?

Under Texas Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 145, the divorce filing fee can be waived by filing an “affidavit of Indigency.” An “Affidavit of Indigency” basically asks a court to waive the filing fees because the filing party cannot afford them.Mar 2, 2017

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

Can you get a divorce without the other person signing the papers?

Unopposed divorces An uncontested divorce can arise in two instances, the first being a situation where the sheriff has served the summons, and your spouse fails to defend the action. In this instance, the court may grant you a decree of divorce by default.Aug 7, 2019

Can you file a divorce online in Texas?

Online divorce is allowed in Texas, though not every Texas court will accept online forms. You may have to file the forms in person. When it comes to divorce in Texas, you can use lawyers or online sites to fill out the paperwork.

What is the first step in filing for divorce in Texas?

The 6 Steps of the Texas Divorce ProcessStep 1: Grounds for Divorce. ... Step 2: Filing the Petition for Divorce. ... Step 3: Providing Your Spouse with Notice. ... Step 4: Your Spouse's Answer and Counterpetition. ... Step 5: The Waiting Period. ... Step 6: Your Divorce Decree.Nov 4, 2021

How can I get a quick divorce?

Here's how to get an uncontested, quick divorce; Communicate with your spouse throughout the process. Find your marriage certificate before starting divorce proceedings. Find valid grounds for divorce and agree with your spouse. Ask your spouse to promptly complete and return paperwork.

How long do you have to be separated before divorce in Texas?

Texas does not recognize legal separation. However, separation for a period of at least three years is one of the grounds for divorce in Texas. Living separately and apart means living in different residences.

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.

Can the 60 day waiting period for divorce in Texas be waived?

If your spouse has been convicted of or received deferred adjudication for a crime involving family violence against you or a member of your household, the 60-day waiting period is waived.

How much does an uncontested divorce cost in Texas?

between $300 and $5,000How 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.

How to get an uncontested divorce in Texas?

To get an uncontested divorce in Texas there are four things you’ll need to keep in mind — qualifying, agreement, paperwork and going to court.

How long do you have to live in Texas to get divorce?

In order to qualify for divorce in Texas, you must meet a few simple criteria. First, you or your spouse must live in Texas for the previous six months. You’ll also need to live in the county that you file for 90 days. After that, you will need to have “grounds” or a legal reason to divorce.

What are the reasons for divorce in Texas?

The possibilities in Texas include: 1 Insupportability: Many people refer to this as “no-fault” grounds for divorce because it means that you spouse just can’t resolve your differences. In terms of an uncontested divorce, this reason is by far the simplest route. 2 Cruelty: Whether mental or physical, asking for a divorce because of cruelty is a “fault” divorce and may require multiple hearings. 3 Incarceration: If your spouse has committed a felony and is serving a sentence of one year or longer, Texas recognizes this as reasonable grounds. The one exception, however, is if spousal testimony caused the imprisonment. 4 Estrangement: If you have been living apart and separate lives for three or more years, or if your spouse abandoned you more than one year ago, the court accepts this as grounds.

Why is there no fault in divorce?

Insupportability: Many people refer to this as “no-fault” grounds for divorce because it means that you spouse just can’t resolve your differences. In terms of an uncontested divorce, this reason is by far the simplest route.

What does it mean to get divorced?

The decision to get a divorce signals the end of one part of your life and the beginning of another. Unlike other relationships, marriage has a legal element that you’ll need to untangle. The court system appears complicated and overwhelming to many people. One of the major hurdles facing divorcing couples is the high cost of hiring an attorney.

What happens if you don't agree to a divorce?

However, if you are not in 100 percent agreement, the petition could be rejected until the issues are resolved or brought to a formal hearing.

Is Texas a community property state?

Texas is a community property state, which means marital assets are generally distributed evenly. Those things only include what you built up together while married. And, gifts and inheritances don’t count as marital assets. If you can put together an agreeable settlement list, you should be able to steer the uncontested divorce path.

Where do you file for divorce in Texas?

And, the divorce must be filed in a Texas District Court located in a county where a spouse has been a resident of the county for at least three months before the filing. Step 2. Civil Case Information Sheet. The Civil Case Information Sheet provides general information about the spouses in the divorce proceeding such as their contact ...

What is the Texas divorce law?

This is Texas's version of no-fault divorce where a marriage has irreparably broken down because the spouses are incompatible. Step 1. Ensure That You Satisfy the Texas Residency Requirements to File for Divorce .

What is an uncontested divorce in Texas?

In Texas, an "Uncontested Divorce", (commonly referred to as a "Simple Agreed Divorce" or an "Amicable Divorce"), both of the spouses agree about all of the terms of their divorce. On the other hand, when the spouses do not agree on all of the terms of their divorce it is said to be a "Contested Divorce".

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

When the divorce petition is filed, either the spouse who files it (the petitioner), or the spouse whom it is served on (the respondent), must have lived in the state of Texas for at least the past six months. And, the divorce must be filed in a Texas District ...

How long does it take to get divorced in Texas?

60 Day Waiting Period. Under Texas law, a Texas judge cannot grant a divorce until at least 60 days after the original petition of divorce has been filed with the court. This is generally referred to as the "waiting period" or the "cooling-off" period.

What is a divorce decree in Texas?

In Texas, when both spouses sign the Decree of Divorce, it is called an "Agreed Decree of Divorce.". Schedule and Attend a "Prove-Up Hearing" to Finalize Your Divorce. Contact the court clerk and ask them to schedule a court hearing to finalize your divorce after the 60 day waiting period has expired.

What is the final decree of divorce?

The Final Decree of Divorce contains all of the terms and agreements of your divorce and will be presented to a judge who will sign it if the judge grants your divorce. The Decree of Divorce is drafted by the Petitioner.

How long does it take to get divorced in Texas?

In almost every divorce in Texas, the court requires a 61-day waiting period between the filing of the Original Petition of Divorce and the hearing for the divorce. The policy behind the waiting period is to encourage reconciliation between the couples.

What is the quickest divorce?

The quickest divorce is achieved when the grounds for divorce is listed as no-fault and it is uncontested by the Respondent Spouse. If the divorce is unconte sted, both spouses must sign and complete a Final Decree of Divorce. Once the judge signs the Final Decree of Divorce, the marriage is legally terminated.

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.

Can't afford divorce?

You can request that the court waive the court fees by filing an Affidavit of Inability to Pay Court Costs.

What is efiling in Texas?

E-filing is a way of filing court documents electronically, without having to send in paper copies to the clerk's office. Texas's eFileTexas.gov site uses guided interviews to help you create your forms. The website will ask you certain questions and use your answers to build your forms.

Valid Grounds for Divorce in Harris County

Statistics show that Harris County’s divorce rate is 2.68 per 1,000 residents, while the overall state rate is 2.7 per 1000 residents. If you want to file for divorce here in Harris County, you should be aware of the local Family Law. The county offers both no-fault and fault-based grounds for marriage dissolution.

Why HarrisCountyDivorceOnline Is Your Best Option

Prepare divorce forms with Harriscountydivorceonline for only $139! For 9 years, our service has been successfully helping our clients choose and fill out the needed paperwork without fuss and haste. You will receive simple and clear instructions for filing in the Harris County court along with a ready-made package of documents.

Harris County Courts Address

In Texas, divorce cases are mainly reviewed by district courts. The following 10 courts handle general Family Law matters involving marriage dissolution, regardless of the petitioner’s residence in Harris County. After your divorce papers are ready, you can file them at one of these locations.