In Texas, you don’t have to hire a lawyer to file for divorce. You can file pro se, which means you’re representing yourself in court. The divorce process is still the same, though, because you become solely responsible for properly completing and filing all legal forms. Pro se divorce is a good alternative when the marriage is uncontested, the assets are easily divided, and the child issues are settled. In this sense, pro se divorce can save both spouses time and money.
However, be very careful when choosing to go it alone. It may sound easy, but it is important not to take the process too lightly. Quick online searches often provide free downloadable forms. You can also find online sites that, for a fee, say they will guide you through the divorce process. However, family law can be complicated, and if you aren't careful, you could end up making some big, expensive mistakes that will cost a lot of money to fix.
No two divorces are the same, so whatever your friend did with their divorce may not work for yours. You may think you filed all the necessary paperwork, but there may be other forms you didn’t expect such as things concerning inheritance, retirement, and insurance accounts. If you have children, you'll need documents concerning health insurance coverage, income withholding orders for child support, and co-parenting class certificates. You may not find these in the downloadable forms websites.
In some counties, pro se petitioners are required to attend a clinic where your paperwork is examined for errors so that everything is complete before you go before the judge. However, if any mistakes are found, it is still up to you to correct them and the clinic may not be helpful at all. Without a working knowledge of family law, you may feel like you have nowhere to turn.
If you feel like you’re stuck in pro se hell, contact our office. We can easily take over and get your divorce over the finish line.