Family Law Attorneys For Bell County And Throughout Central Texas
The safety and well-being of your family are among your highest priorities. When a divorce, child custody dispute or other family law matter arises, your family’s welfare and future are uncertain. In these circumstances, a skilled lawyer can help you find solutions that are in your family’s best interests.
Families in Central Texas can turn to Harrell, Stoebner & Villanueva, P.C., for an array of legal matters. Our primary objective is to find workable solutions to our clients’ legal problems. Whether you are considering filing for divorce, are involved in a custody dispute or are seeking to adopt a child, we will approach your case with dedication, compassion and efficiency.
Comprehensive Practice And Customized Legal Solutions
At our firm, we understand that every family and every case is different. That’s why we custom-tailor our approach and solutions to meet each client’s specific needs. We provide straightforward advice and practical solutions for a range of family law concerns, including:
- Divorce
- Child support
- Child custody and visitation
- Adoption
- Marital and premarital agreements
- Name changes
- Modification and enforcement of current court orders
- Divorce and family law for military families
- Litigation for divorce, custody, support and other disputes
Our family law attorney will take the time to fully understand your unique situation, explain your rights and options, and work with you to obtain the best possible outcome. Whenever possible, we will try to achieve your goals amicably, but we also can fight for your interests in court, if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Law In Texas
Understanding your rights is an important first step in any family law matter. These are some of the most common questions we hear from families throughout Bell County.
What is the mandatory waiting period to finalize a divorce in Bell County?
Texas law sets a strict 60-day minimum waiting period from the date you file your divorce petition before a judge can finalize the decree. That clock starts on the filing date, not the day your spouse receives notice.
Most divorces take longer than 60 days to resolve. Working out property division and child custody arrangements takes time, and disagreements between spouses can push the timeline well beyond that minimum. Exceptions to this waiting period are rare. Courts may waive it only when a party shows family violence was committed by the other spouse or a protective order exists against the other spouse.
Does Texas community property law mean my spouse gets exactly half of everything?
Not necessarily. Texas is a community property state, which means most assets and debts acquired during the marriage belong to both spouses jointly. Bell County judges do not have to split the marital estate 50-50. A judge can award one spouse a greater share based on factors such as:
- Differences in earning capacity
- Each spouse’s education and employment
- Benefits to children
- Fault in the breakdown of the marriage
- Waste of community assets
The Texas Family Code directs courts to divide community property in a “just and right” manner.
We are in a “common law” marriage. Do we still need to go to court for a divorce?
Yes. If you meet the legal requirements for an informal marriage in Texas, the state treats your relationship as a legal marriage.
To qualify, you and your partner must have agreed to be presently married, lived together in Texas as a married couple and represented yourselves to others as married. If your relationship meets those conditions, you must go through the same formal divorce process in a Bell County family court as any other married couple. The court will address both the legal end of the marriage and the division of your assets.
Schedule A Free Initial Consultation
The first step for any family law matter is to meet with an experienced attorney at our office location in Temple. To schedule your free consultation, call us at 254-935-3036 or fill out and submit our online contact form.