Like many Texans, if you consider ending your marriage and hear the term “divorce,” your first image may be of an impenetrably complex quagmire. It might even cause you to feel helpless despair.
In reality, Texas divorce laws intentionally make the welfare of the divorcing spouses and their families the main concern. While you recognize that divorce is the end of something, the law realizes this process is a new beginning as well.
Familiarizing yourself with the process can demystify divorce
Here are some common terms you may hear expressed as you learn more about the dissolution of a marriage. As you become familiar with these concepts, they become less daunting.
- Agreed divorce: this means spouses have come to an agreement about all aspects of the divorce
- Community property: this pertains to assets and real estate shared by spouses; as a community property state, Texas proceeds from the notion that spouses jointly own all possessions
- Default divorce: this occurs when one spouse petitions for a divorce and the other spouse never responds
- Dissolution of marriage: this is the legal outcome of a divorce or an annulment
- Petitioner: this refers to the person who initiates legal action seeking a divorce
- Respondent: This is the spouse who did not initiate a divorce action
- Service of Process: this is a legal term describing the delivery of divorce documents
Preparing yourself for the steps of a divorce minimizes your stress
There is no denying that divorce can be a difficult and sometimes painful occurrence. Still, it need not be confusing or mysterious. Understanding all you can about divorce can alleviate your fears and prepare you for positive changes ahead.
