Mesquite Divorce Lawyer

Divorce Attorney In Mesquite, TX

Getting a divorce is difficult in many ways and can cause emotional strain for everyone involved. A divorce is not solely a legal process, but a life-changing transition for your family, whether that includes children or other shared life experiences. If you are starting the process of divorce and are in need of a Mesquite divorce lawyer, the Law Office of Michael P. Granata can help.

Why Choose Us

The Law Office of Michael P. Granata is a trusted law firm serving residents of Mesquite, Texas, with our main office located in Dallas. Families know they can turn to us for all family law matters, including divorce.

We maintain a small firm so that we can give each client personalized representation from start to finish. Our lead attorney, Mr. Granata, has more than 26 years of experience handling divorce cases and is passionate about his work.

Divorce Requirements in Texas

One of the main legal requirements for divorce in Texas includes residency requirements. In Mesquite, at least one of the spouses must have lived in Dallas County for at least 90 days. Additionally, before filing, one of the spouses must have lived in Texas for a minimum of 6 months.

The divorce process may include filing the petition for divorce, serving the other spouse, the discovery process, mediation, court proceedings, and the final decree. When filing for a divorce, you will include the grounds for divorce, which your attorney can assist with.

Due to Texas being a no-fault divorce state, people can file for dissolution of their marriage based on irreconcilable differences, which means they don’t have to worry about proving the other spouse caused the marriage to break down.

Fault-based grounds for divorce include the following:

• Not living together for more than three years
• Infidelity
• Cruelty in the form of abuse of any kind by either spouse
• A spouse being convicted of a felony

The next step is the discovery process, which involves obtaining all needed financial documentation in order to fairly divide all assets. Then, mediation and court proceedings take place.

Divorce Mediation

Divorce mediation entails meeting with a neutral trained individual, who helps compromise around factors related to your divorce, such as property division and child custody arrangements. Our divorce attorney can assist by helping you prepare for mediation with your spouse. Mediation can take several sessions to agree upon a divorce settlement.

There are times when mediation is unsuccessful, such as in contested cases. In these cases, the lawyers continue to negotiate and litigate on behalf of the clients.

It is also not recommended to use mediation in high-conflict cases, such as when domestic violence has occurred, or to continue mediation when there is a major dispute between the couple that they cannot resolve amicably.

Why the 3 Cs of Divorce Are Important

How divorcing parties conduct themselves during the process can affect custody determinations, negotiations, and litigation as a whole. A good strategy for divorce, especially when there is high conflict between the couple, is remembering the three C’s:

• Communication: Communicating effectively and calmly is key. You should also keep detailed records of all communications between you and your spouse.
• Cooperation: Family law judges in the Dallas County Courthouse encourage couples to cooperate as much as possible through mediation, especially if there are children involved, as this could impact the child’s safety and stability.
• Compromise: Divorce cases typically resolve through negotiation and mediation rather than trial. Thus, it is helpful to compromise in order not to be stuck in the litigation process longer than necessary.

These three principles can help create a smoother legal proceeding. The Law Office of Michael P. Granata can help you focus on utilizing the three C’s to settle in mediation.

Hire a Divorce Lawyer in Mesquite

It is important to make a strategic plan when handling a divorce, as all divorces differ in their individual needs and factors. In the United States in 2023, there were a total of 672,502 reported divorce cases. In 2023, the divorce rate in Texas was 2.1 per 1,000 people, which was lower than the national average of 2.4 at that time. Many of these cases, nearly half, involve child custody or child support.

It is imperative to hire a lawyer who knows the local laws and court procedures in Mesquite, Texas, specifically, and can assist with all aspects of your divorce. A Mesquite divorce attorney can inform you of the expectations for mediation timing and other deadlines involved in the divorce process.

FAQs

How Much Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost in Texas?

The cost of a divorce lawyer depends on your specific circumstances, such as the time involved, the complexity of the case, and whether or not the divorce is contested. Along with initial fees involved in hiring a divorce attorney, there are other fees related to divorce that can add to the cost, which your attorney can go over with you. Contested divorces, specifically, can be expensive due to prolonged litigation.

What Should I Not Do During a Divorce in Texas?

There are many things you should not do during a divorce in Texas, such as ignoring legal deadlines or hiding assets, as this could negatively impact your case in the long run. You should also be careful about speaking negatively about your spouse on social media, as it can be used against you as evidence. Your attorney can advise you on all the mistakes to avoid that could negatively impact your case.

Can Fault Affect Property Division in a Texas Divorce?

Fault can sometimes affect property division in a Texas divorce. Although Texas does allow no-fault divorces, courts often consider fault, such as cruelty or adultery, when determining a fair division of community property. There is no guarantee, however, that the division of property will be impacted by a fault-based divorce.

What Is a Common Mistake During a Divorce?

A common mistake during a divorce is not hiring an experienced attorney. Someone may make this mistake if they think they can handle the divorce on their own, believing it may save them money. A divorce attorney can help you meet filing deadlines and provide advice regarding how to handle various matters such as child support, child custody, or spousal support.

Talk to a Knowledgeable Mesquite Divorce Lawyer

Schedule a free consultation with the Law Office of Michael P. Granata to hire a divorce lawyer. Our divorce lawyer can provide you with a cost estimate based on your specific situation, including child custody, assets, and any other factors that would impact the cost. He can also go over what you might expect during the proceedings and answer any questions you have.