Getting a Divorce Without an Attorney in Texas

As we all know, ending a marriage is not just another thing that we will take off the schedule and mark as done. It is a stressful legal process that requires time, patience, but also money. If you are considering a divorce without an attorney, you need to know the terms but also the law for the state you're living in.

Marked word on a paper.
Ending a marriage can be done without lawyers, but you have to know the law.

According to the latest research, there are three times more married adults in Texas than in any other state. About 430,000 women and 380,000 men. Around 6% of Texans have been married three or more times, close to the national average of 5%. On the other hand, getting divorced is often an unpleasant and money-consuming process. In this article, we'll discuss the answers to the question: Do you need a lawyer to get a divorce?

Can Divorce Be Done Without Lawyers?

If you're asking yourself how to pay for a lawyer with no money or can I get a divorce for free, you're in the right place. Let’s first explain what uncontested and contested divorce in Texas is.

If you and your spouse agree on all terms and issues, then the divorce in Texas can be done with minimal court interference, and this is known as an uncontested divorce. Otherwise, if you have any disagreements, the court must get involved.

Two rings under a gavel.
If you agree on everything with the other side, you can get divorced without a lawyer.

Is It Legal to File for a Divorce Yourself?

Is it legal to do it all by yourself without an attorney? The answer is yes. The fastest way is to file for divorce online. However, even when all online divorce papers are ready and submitted, it is not over yet. So, how long does a divorce take in TX? You’ll have to wait for sixty days to expire, and you’ll get in touch with a court employee to set the final hearing with the judge. For the final documents, you have to wait another 31 days, according to Texas laws.

Filing for Divorce Without a Lawyer

Before you start panicking and thinking the attorney is the best solution, you should get to know the divorce forms you have to fill. Don't worry. When you have the step-by-step divorce process explained, everything will be much easier. You can check out the TX Courts Website for all the forms you need to fill. Here is what you should do after gathering all the necessary firms:

  • Read the general instructions,
  • Fill out the petition,
  • Turn in your petition,
  • Send your spouse a legal notice,
  • Complete the final forms and prepare for court,
  • Present your case to the judge,
  • Finalize the process.

In Which Case Should the Court Step In?

Marriage is a complex relationship between two people, and ending one is no simple process, either. When soon-to-be-ex spouses can’t reach an agreement on crucial questions, the judge resolves everything. There is more than one significant reason why it is a better idea to hire lawyers in this case:

However, before the court, you should try mediation services to help. Many lawyers encourage their clients to use mediation tools because some people just need a third person to get involved and resolve the misunderstandings.

A family law book.
If you and the other party can't agree on dividing assets or child custody, you'll need help from lawyers.

Do I Need a Divorce Lawyer if We Agree on Everything?

Can you file for a divorce without a lawyer? The answer is yes. However, you have to be sure you have clarified every settlement with your partner. You have to be sure that, on the other side, there isn’t any kind of questioning of your settlement. If there is only one percent of doubt, going through this whole process without the help of mediators or lawyers is not such a great idea. Only then you can think of how to file for divorce in Texas.

You and Your Spouse Should Understand the Whole Situation and the Process of Filing for Divorce Online

Present all plans to your husband or wife, make sure everything will be as you agreed, and file for a divorce online. This is a very important step because you have to be sure each law is abided by. Getting what both sides want isn't always that easy. Professional help can always be a good solution, although Texas is one of the 50 50 divorce states.

Two rings and a pen on the paper.
Make sure both sides know exactly what the legal terms are.

Is Divorce Without an Attorney a Good Idea When You Have Children?

When divorcing in Texas with children, you have to know some additional information that is essential if you are wondering how to pay for a divorce lawyer with no money. The most important thing to know in this situation is that you can't get an uncontested Texas divorce if your children are under eighteen years of age. However, there is an option for agreed dissolution if both you and your spouse agree on all the issues related to the dissolution and child support and custody.

A Woman, a man, and a child.
Ending a marriage is more difficult if you have children.

How Do You Deal With a Divorce Without a Lawyer?

The divorce process in Texas is stressful enough, and you certainly want to avoid unknown lawyers getting into your life, especially if you decide to get divorced during Covid. Getting an online divorce in Texas will save you not just money but also your time and nerves.