DIVORCE FAQ

How long does a divorce take?

Sixty days is the minimum because Texas has a mandatory waiting period of that length. As a practical matter, that timeframe is seldom realistic due to a variety of factors.

Divorce is a process – not an event. After deciding on divorce it is natural to want the matter wrapped up promptly, however it will simply take as long as is necessary for your spouse to accept the realities of divorce and focus upon resolving the issues that are part of the process, and as such may take much longer than the sixty day mandatory waiting period.

How much does a divorce cost?

That is a reasonable question for which there is no definitive answer. There are a number of factors that affect the cost of litigation and many of them are beyond your control and that of your lawyer. For example, the behavior of the other party and that party’s attorney can make the divorce very expensive or, on the other hand, help keep the cost down.

How are lawyers fees handled in a divorce?

The Siddiqui Law firm asks for a retainer and will quote you an hourly rate for attorney’s services. The retainer is refundable, meaning that any part that is not expended for attorney’s fees or expenses will be refunded to you.

The amount of the retainer will be based on our assessment of how complex the case will be and what will probably need to be done to move it toward a conclusion. Please feel free to contact us for more information on our fees.

Can I get a "Legal Separation"?

There is no such thing in Texas. Other states recognize various forms of “separation”, however, that is not a legal status in this state. After a divorce case is filed, there may be temporary orders entered by the court, but they do not constitute a legal separation of the types recognized in other states.

Since Texas is a Community Property state, will everything be divided down the middle?

No. The judge has authority to divide the community property in a lop-sided fashion. Most judges do start by determining how much 50% of the marital estate is worth but he/she may vary from that percentage if the facts warrant doing so. There are numerous factors that determine how the property is devided, including if one of the parties was at fault, who has primary custody of the children, etc.