the modern woman's divorce guide

Family lawyers who are well versed in their professions may not fully comprehend what it feels like to be a non-lawyer, who is getting divorced and trying to represent herself. So, I’ve decided to create a hypothetical situation where I am a woman in Texas, who is divorcing her husband of five years, and representing herself. For this experiment, my imaginary husband and I did not sign a pre-nuptial agreement, we’re both employed, we do not have any children and we own a home and two cars together (and the break-up is friendly). Neither of us has gotten divorced before and consequently, I know very little, if anything, about Texas laws. I will be researching everything I need to know in order to get legally divorced. As I do this, I will be sharing my steps and thoughts with you. My method may not be the “recommended method” for you to follow, but may certainly be an adventure from which you can learn. I have randomly chosen the Texas, but I believe the steps I take should be applicable in others, so even if you live in New York, Illinois or Washington, feel free to follow along with me….Are you ready? If you are….here we go.

Step One: I click on the State Resources tab at the top of this page and select Texas from the menu. When the Texas resource page appears I find the residency requirements and grounds for divorce nicely summarized at the top of the page. I first read the grounds, and although they seem convoluted, I conclude that even though my husband and I are still friendly, our relationship is such that there is not “any reasonable expectation of reconciliation.” Good, we have a legitimate reason for getting a divorce in Texas. Next, I read the residency requirements and confirm that being a permanent, legal resident of Dallas, Texas for 10 years covers the six month preceding “domiciliary” and 90 day county requirements and I can therefore, file for divorce in Dallas.

Step Two: I scroll down the Texas resource page and click on Divorce Forms Online. I then do a lot more clicking – first on the link for the Do It Yourself Court Forms Free, then on the link for In Texas WITHOUT Children, and then on Instructions and again, on the complete packet (which includes the instructions). The instructions and complete packet are now downloaded onto my computer.

Step Three: I open the complete divorce packet and begin reading the Instructions…then I realize I need a coffee break…so I pause, get my coffee and begin reading.

Stay tuned for the next steps.

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