Thursday, February 10, 2011

Retain A Houston Divorce Attorney And Protect Yourself And Your Family In Many Other Situations

By Ramon Nelson


Divorce attorneys in Houston can be extremely useful by making sure your best interests are protected during the divorce process. A Houston family law attorney can help resolve conflicts through mediation, which saves the client both time and money. Some contested divorces turn downright ugly and it may be necessary to go to trial. Therefore, it is imperative that you retain the services of an experienced Houston divorce attorney to represent you.

## What are Grounds for Divorce in Texas?

Either party can file for no-fault divorce by citing that the marriage has become insupportable due to conflict of personalities and there is no expectation that the couple will reconcile and continue to live together. Fault-based grounds, that is, accusations against the other spouse, include the following:

- Adultery

- Cruelty

- Conviction of a felony offense

- Abandonment

- Living apart for at least three years

- Confinement in a mental hospital for three years or more

## Who Gets Custody of the Children?

The laws in Texas encourage both parents to work together and come up with an agreement that is in the best interests of the children. A Houston divorce attorney can help by explaining what the judge will be looking for in a parenting plan before the court decides to accept it. Children over the age of 12 can file a legal document with the family court requesting that custody be awarded to the parent of their choosing.

## How is Child Support in Texas Calculated?

The laws regarding child support in Texas require the non-custodial parent to pay financial support to the custodial parent each month until the child turns 18 years of age or has successfully graduated from high school, whichever is later. The percentage of income formula used to calculate the amount is based upon the following model:

- 20% of net income for one child

- 25% of net income for two children

- 30% of net income for three children

- 35% of net income for four children

- 40% of net income for five children

Divorce attorneys in Houston will tell you that that the net income is calculated by taking the parent's gross income and subtracting state and federal taxes, union dues, social security taxes and health insurance premiums for the kids.

## How Divorce Attorneys in Houston Can Help?

Divorce can be an emotionally difficult time for most couples and spouses often blame each other for the failure of their marriage. Parents need to remember that divorce is hardest on the children, who may be confused and scared about how their life will change. It is in the best interest of the children for the parents to put their hurt feelings aside and move on with their life, reassuring the children along the way that it's not their fault. When you hire a Houston family law attorney, they can help you work out a settlement that is fair, while keeping the process amicable.




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