You have likely heard the statistics about how about half of marriages end in divorce. They are often repeated for a reason. Not only is it true that most marriages do not last forever, but this also means that many people who marry will experience divorce at some point in their life.

Divorce does not mean that you have failed as a couple or as a spouse. You may have been very much in love and very much right for each other at the time you got married. However, life happens, and people change. Or, you may have begun to realize that you married too young, for the wrong reasons, or because getting married felt obligatory. If your marriage is no longer bringing you joy, but is instead causing you stress or pain, it may be time to end the marriage. It is important to be represented by an attorney if you do decide that divorce is the best option for you, even if your divorce is likely to be amicable. 

Tips for Making a Decision About Divorce 

It is not always easy to decide whether divorce is the right option for you. Some things to do when making a decision include:

Going through a divorce is emotionally complicated and draining. The legal process is also tricky, but you can simplify things by adding mediation to your divorce. Divorce mediation offers more support and communication between both parties. With the help of an experienced divorce attorney, you can enjoy all the benefits of mediation and try to keep an amicable relationship with your ex-partner. 

Is There Less Conflict With a Mediation in a Divorce?

Contested divorces cause a lot of tension and animosity between spouses. In contrast, mediation offers a collaborative environment to settle issues. Mediation calls for a neutral third party present to encourage a stable agreement that both parties can agree to. 

Is It Cheaper to Use Mediation in a Divorce?

In a typical contested divorce, both parties must worry about court costs, attorney fees, and other expenses. With mediation, there are no lengthy, drawn-out court proceedings, which means you will need your attorney less. 

A top priority of any father is ensuring his child's needs are met. If you are not receiving the child support owed by your ex-spouse, do not worry—there are steps you can take to make sure your child gets the support they deserve.

You can start by filing a petition for child support with the Collin County Family Court. This is a common route where the court calculates child support based on both parents' incomes, the number of children, and their needs.

If you and your ex-spouse can work together, you might negotiate a child support agreement. This friendly approach can be put into a court order to ensure your child's financial stability.

The term “gray divorce” is normally used when a couple gets divorced after the age of 50 years old. While ending a marriage at this age used to be very uncommon, today nearly one in four people going through a divorce is over 50 years old. There are a number of social and cultural reasons for this, ranging from the general de-stigmatization of divorce to the increased retirement age. 

How is Getting Divorced At an Older Age Different? 

Couples divorcing at this age may have a special set of concerns. While people getting divorced in their thirties may be primarily worried about who will have custody of their minor children, older couples may be more worried about dividing their retirement savings or planning for future care needs. 

Just as the legal needs of older adults during divorce differ from those of younger adults, the reasons for seeking a divorce may also be different. Older adults are somewhat more likely to have an amicable divorce than their younger counterparts, which also suggests that divorce mediation is more likely to succeed in their cases. Both you and your spouse should be represented by independent attorneys. 

When a marriage is affected by domestic violence, the divorce process can be affected beyond an immediate need for safety and protection. In Texas, even though it is a no-fault divorce state, a history of domestic violence can still change the outcome of divorce proceedings, especially for child custody. If you are getting a divorce and your husband has a history of abusing you or your children, let your lawyer know so that they can use this information to help you negotiate the terms of your divorce.

Can I Get Divorced if My Husband Is Abusive? 

Is your husband an alcoholic? Does he engage in extramarital affairs? These things might not matter in Texas when it comes to filing for divorce because the state follows strict no-fault divorce guidelines. This means that neither spouse must prove anyone did anything wrong to get a divorce. But while spouses cannot give domestic violence as the official reason for a divorce, domestic violence will still influence other aspects of the proceedings, particularly child custody.

Does Domestic Violence Affect Child Custody?

In child custody cases, the court’s biggest concern is the best interest of the child. When domestic violence is present, it is clearly bad for a child’s well-being and safety. As a result, a history of domestic violence can affect custody decisions in the following ways: