Protecting You During a Contested Divorce

A contested divorce is one of the most difficult experiences an individual can go through. Property division, child support, child custody and spousal maintenance are only some of the issues on which you and your spouse may not agree. Regardless of your financial situation, Sugar Land divorce attorney Chikeersha Puvvada can help you navigate the emotionally and financially challenging process that is a contested divorce. Chikeersha will strive to find an amicable solution in the best interests of your family. However, if mediation and negotiation do not work, Chikeersha will tenaciously pursue your rights all the way to trial, if necessary.

Contested Divorce FAQs

Where can I get a divorce?

To file for divorce in Texas, you must have lived in Texas for the past 6 months, and lived in the county where you plan to file for the past 90 days. These rules don't apply to military personal from Texas out of state on duty.

How long will my divorce take?

In Texas, a divorce cannot be granted until 60 days after the divorce suit is filed. However, that's the earliest a divorce can be granted. If the spouses aren't in agreement on how to end the marriage, then the divorce can take a lot longer. For example, if a trial is necessary, it ideally should take 7 to 12 months to get to trial, but sometimes it may take even longer.

How much will my divorce cost?

For an explanation on how much divorces cost, read our article How Much Your Divorce Will Cost.

What are the steps in the divorce case?

For an explanation of the steps in a divorce case, read our article A Divorce Case Step by Step.

How is property divided during a divorce?

Usually, if the parties reach a settlement agreement and don't go to trial, marital property is divided in whatever way the parties agreed. If the divorce does go through trial, Texas courts have the power to make a "just and right" division of all community property. What's "just and right" is determined by the court on a case by case basis. There are many factors the court can consider, including: fault in breakup, disparity of incomes, disparity of age, spouses' financial positions, spouses' health, children's needs, length of marriage and spouses' earning potential. Note, "just and right" division only extends to community property, and a court does not have the power to divide a spouse's separate property during divorce.

What is separate property?

Basically, separate property is any property owned or claimed before marriage. Separate property also includes property inherited or received as a gift during marriage. Finally, separate property also includes any recovery for personal injuries sustained during marriage, excluding recovery for loss of earning capacity.

What is community property?

Community property is any property acquired during marriage that is not separate property. All property is presumed to be community property unless proven otherwise.

Can I get alimony?

For an explanation of how alimony works in Texas, read our article No Alimony, Just Spousal Maintenance.

Visit our FAQ section to learn more.