The end of a relationship is challenging, especially when you file for divorce. You have spent time and energy investing in this relationship and building a family. Suddenly your family dynamic, residence, and finances are hanging in the balance. The emotional toll is enough to let your spouse take everything and move on, but you do not need to face these challenges alone. When it is time for a divorce, you must speak with a Fort Worth Divorce Lawyer.
Divorce can be one of the most challenging experiences in life. At Mims Ballew Hollingsworth | Fort Worth Divorce Lawyers, we understand the complexities involved and provide the specialized attention your case needs. Our team brings over 75 years of combined experience, focusing exclusively on family law to ensure you receive expert representation.
Our attorneys are seasoned professionals, with two members board certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. This certification reflects their rigorous training and deep knowledge of Texas family law. We leverage this expertise to protect your rights and achieve the best possible outcomes for your divorce, including cases involving Fort Worth High Asset Divorce and Fort Worth Divorce Involving a Business Lawyer.
Every divorce is unique, and so should be the legal strategy. At Mims Ballew Hollingsworth, we develop custom-tailored plans that address the specific needs of each client. We avoid one-size-fits-all solutions, opting for innovative and effective approaches that reflect your individual circumstances. Our services also include Fort Worth Prenuptial Agreements and Postnuptial Agreements.
Effective communication and thorough preparation are central to our practice. From the initial consultation to the final resolution, we keep our clients informed and involved every step of the way. Our attorneys are committed to transparency, ensuring you understand your rights, the progress of your case, and the legal strategies being employed. We believe a well-prepared client is an empowered client, ready to face the challenges ahead with confidence.
Our attorneys have decades of experience handling all aspects of divorce, including high-asset cases, business distributions, and complex custody arrangements. Constance Mims, one of our leading attorneys, has over 15 years of experience practicing exclusively family law. She is board certified in family law, collaborative law certified, and an accomplished negotiator. Her education includes a Juris Doctor from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law and a Bachelor’s in Political Science from Texas Christian University.
Our firm and its attorneys have been recognized for their excellence in family law. We have received numerous awards, including the AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating, Fort Worth Magazine’s Top Attorneys, and the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys’ Top 10. These accolades reflect our commitment to providing exceptional legal services and achieving outstanding results for our clients.
Choosing Mims Ballew Hollingsworth | Fort Worth Divorce Lawyer means entrusting your case to a team that prioritizes your well-being and works tirelessly to secure the best outcome. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and let us help you navigate your divorce with the expertise and dedication you deserve.
Some divorces are amicable; all you need is for the court to sign off and make your divorce official. Other divorces have contentious issues at every turn. There are different types of divorces our firm handles, and some factors can complicate matters. Divorce topics we handle include:
Divorces that are high conflict are also very contentious and complex. When the two parties cannot agree on a single thing, you will need a game plan and an experienced divorce lawyer to protect your best interests. Saying “I do” is easier than saying “I don’t,” and you need someone with no emotional ties to the situation.
Under Texas law, you must meet specific requirements before filing for a divorce. Don’t worry-our divorce attorneys in Fort Worth have decades of experience determining who is eligible for a divorce and how to proceed in family court. There are two residency requirements in Texas. First, you must be a resident of Texas for a minimum of six months, and second, you must also be a county resident where you are filing for 90 days. To start a Texas divorce, one spouse must file a petition with the family court.
After you file a petition with the court, you must make service of the filing to your spouse. There are different ways you can send your spouse notice, and your divorce lawyers in Fort Worth, TX, can inform you of your options. If the divorce is uncontested, there is a waiting period before you can finalize it with the court. A contested divorce takes more time.
Litigation is costly and requires extensive legal assistance. If you have a contested divorce, you might worry that you will have to go to court and undergo a lengthy trial. Our Fort Worth divorce lawyers also specialize in alternative dispute resolutions like arbitration, collaborative law, and mediation. Alternative dispute resolutions can help you resolve faster and are more cost-effective. These methods are confidential, and there is no public viewing or access.
Mediation is beneficial in cases where there are high-profile individuals, sensitive topics like business, and high-asset divorces. The confidentiality aspect appeals to parties who do not want the details of their divorce leaked or who have business trade secrets that cannot get out to the public as it will dismantle their entire life. Collaborative law is best when there are child custody matters and involves both parties working with trained professionals to reach a parenting and financial resolution. You will get a mutually beneficial solution.
Finding the dispute solutions that work for you is challenging with so many options. Contested divorces can go to trial or require public court hearings. Do not worry because the best divorce lawyers can help you resolve your divorce using the most beneficial method to your circumstances.
We put you and your family first! Whether you are facing divorce, seeking adoption, or have a child custody case, you can rely on our legal team. Contact us today for a case review or legal consultation.
Before you exchanged vows, you agreed to specific terms if the relationship were to dissolve. You can also have a postnuptial agreement outlining the same topics. In either case, these agreements will impact your divorce outcome. Property and finance distribution are the main topics in these arrangements. These are binding legal contracts, and upon divorce, they take effect. So if you agreed that one spouse would get the house in your prenup, they would get the house upon a divorce. Prenups can also come into play if one spouse dies and they do not have a will.
Prenups and postnups cannot address issues of child custody and support. They only involve marital and separate property division upon dissolution of marriage. Divorces can get contentious even when the two parties agree to these contracts. Emotions are running high, meaning what you agreed on before the marriage is not what you want now. Discuss how your prenuptial agreement will affect your divorce with a Fort Worth Family Lawyer.
When you are ready to start your divorce, you need a skilled Fort Worth divorce attorney to help you through the process. We can prepare your petition and file it with the respective court. You need to include the grounds for divorce and other personal information within your filing. Since each divorce is unique, speak to your divorce lawyer in Fort Worth, TX, to determine what you must include in the initial filing. Some matters we will address are:
You can file a contested or uncontested divorce depending on what terms you and your former spouse agree on. Even if you agree on all aspects, you need an experienced divorce lawyer to review the agreement and ensure you are protected. If you and your spouse agree on some issues but are having difficulties with others, our divorce attorney can negotiate with your spouse’s attorney to resolve them.
Constance Mims has over fifteen years of experience practicing exclusively family law. Mrs. Mims is Board Certified in Family Law, by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She is Collaborative Law certified and is a shrewd negotiator, not to mention her experience in the most challenging child custody, child support, spousal maintenance, alimony, prenuptial agreements, and divorce issues, both in court and in the appellate arena.
It would be best if you had a divorce attorney for contested and uncontested divorces. If there are children involved, it is crucial that you and your spouse can maintain an amicable relationship moving forward since the children will keep you connected for years to come. If you own a business or have high assets, you must ensure you can protect those, even if you must split them with your spouse.
There are many intricacies, and every relationship is different, so you need an individual approach when a separation occurs. Mims Ballew Hollingsworth | Fort Worth Divorce Attorneys can review your circumstances, guide you on the best options, and begin building a plan for your separation. Complete our contact form to schedule an appointment today.
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In Texas, there is a 60-day waiting period before a divorce can become final (unless an exception is granted due to family violence. Even if both spouses agree on everything, there must be at least 60 days from the date you file with the Court until the date the Court grants your divorce. If you and your spouse have an agreement, the divorce attorneys at Mims Ballew Hollingsworth can help you finalize your divorce on the sixty-first day after filing. This is the fastest possible outcome.
If you and your spouse do not have an agreement before filing, the time it takes to finalize your divorce depends on many factors including: whether children are involved, is there a business to value, whether discovery is needed, and the amount of conflict between spouses. Most cases reach a final resolution through an agreement at some point, but if your case goes to final trial, it can often take more than a year to resolve (especially in larger counties where court dockets are backed up).
While some contested divorces can be resolved in a few months, others can take years to finalize. If your divorce involves significant contested issues (i.e. which parent the children will live with, whether one spouse will receive alimony, who will be awarded the marital home), it is best to plan for anywhere between six months to eighteen months to get to the finish line.
If you are considering a divorce and have concerns about the processing dragging out, it is a good option to schedule a consultation with a divorce attorney in Fort Worth to discuss your options and develop a game plan to reduce the time it takes to get you divorced.
Being the first to file a case (the Petitioner) provides strategic advantages throughout litigation. At trial, the Petitioner makes their opening statement first, calls their witnesses first, can delay the other party (the Respondent) from speaking until after all the Petitioner’s evidence is presented, and in closing arguments speaks both first and last.
While the Petitioner and Respondent have the same rights and often share the same burden of proof, filing first can certainly help with persuading the Court. Letting the Court know your side of the story first can help when it comes to decisions such as why your children should live primarily with you, why you deserve alimony or why the other party does not need it, or who gets to keep the marital home. If there are facts harmful to your case, filing first allows you to get in front of these and take the sting out of the Respondent’s argument.
Aside from benefits at trial, filing first provides an opportunity to send a message to the Respondent and direct how the case proceeds. Your first filing can indicate a desire to be amicable or can let the other side know you are prepared to fight. Your first filing can also be used to obtain a restraining order or set a hearing before the Respondent even knows a case is filed. Even how you notify the Respondent can impact your case, whether it is with a formal process server at their place of employment or through providing them the opportunity to avoid this scenario and voluntarily accept the filing.
A Fort Worth divorce attorney ensures that divorce papers are served according to Texas law. They can help you navigate the legal requirements to avoid complications.
Texas is a community property state. This means when you file for divorce our Courts assume that all property you and your spouse have is owned by the marriage and can be divided. However, if you can prove separate property (e.g., what you had before marriage, gifts you received during marriage or inheritance), then you will have property that the Court cannot take away from you in a divorce.
When property is divided, the Court does so in a manner that the Judge deems “just and right,” considering the rights of each party and any children of the marriage. This does not necessarily mean an equal division between spouses. What one Judge believes is “just and right” may differ from what another Judge right across the hall in the same courthouse believes.
At Mims Ballew Hollingsworth, one of the first things we do in your divorce is finding out what property exists for division. We work with you to obtain information on homes, bank accounts, vehicles, business interests, retirement, stock accounts, debts, and separate property claims. If you are concerned your spouse may be hiding assets we will work with you to find this information and ensure all property is accounted for.
After determining divisible property, the next step is valuation. With some assets, it is not as straight forward as looking at an account balance. Business interests can be difficult to value, home prices are constantly changing, and there may be certain tax implications (capital gains) that need to be assessed.
The process of determining what property is divisible and assessing values can be extremely complex, especially in high-asset divorces. The Fort Worth divorce attorneys at Mims Ballew Hollingsworth are experienced in dividing high-asset estates and will work with you and financial professionals to protect your financial interests.
A contested divorce or family law case does not require costly litigation in a public courtroom. You can resolve contested issues through alternative dispute resolution, such as collaborative law, mediation, or arbitration.
These alternatives are often more cost-efficient when compared to going to court, and can result in a faster resolution to your case (in large counties it is not uncommon to wait over a year before having a final trial due to the court’s docket).
Alternative dispute resolution methods, including mediation, are also confidential and do not take place in a courtroom that is open to public viewing. This can be beneficial for divorces and family law cases involving high-profile individuals (e.g. athletes, celebrities, politicians, etc.) or topics of a sensitive nature (i.e. business trade secrets or high-asset divorces).
Collaborative law is a confidential method of resolving a divorce or child custody case where parties work together through joint sessions with the help of specially trained professionals to assist with resolving financial and parenting issues. The focus is on finding mutually beneficial solutions and sharing information that would normally be kept confidential during litigation. Collaborative law is unique and may not be right for everyone, but for some, it is an effective method to lessen conflict.
Just because your divorce or child custody case is contested does not mean it needs to become high conflict and involve costly public court hearings. The divorce attorney fort worth at Mims Ballew Hollingsworth can talk you through these options and develop a plan for resolving your case in through alternative dispute resolution.
A divorce case can be overwhelming, especially when emotions are running high and important decisions need to be made. That’s why it is always worth it to have a knowledgeable and experienced Fort Worth divorce attorney handling your case.
At MBH Fort Worth Family Law, we understand the unique challenges that come with divorce cases. Our experienced divorce attorneys are dedicated to helping our clients navigate each step of the process with compassion and objectivity.
Finding a good divorce lawyer is essential to ensure a smooth and favorable outcome for your case. Here are some tips to help you find the right lawyer:
Using a divorce lawyer has several benefits, but it’s important to consider the potential drawbacks as well. Here are some pros and cons of hiring a divorce lawyer:
Pros:
Cons:
Ultimately, the decision whether to hire a divorce lawyer depends on your individual circumstances and comfort level. Consulting with a lawyer can help you weigh the pros and cons and make an informed choice.
Even if you and your spouse agree on all aspects of your divorce, it is still advisable to seek the guidance of a divorce attorney in Fort Worth. A lawyer can ensure that your agreement is legally binding and protects your interests. Having a Fort Worth divorce lawyer ensures that all legal documents are properly filed and that your rights are protected.
The amount of money a wife receives after a divorce depends on several factors, including the couple’s assets, income, and the specific circumstances of the case. In Fort Worth and throughout Texas, divorce laws require spouses to receive a fair distribution of community property. It’s important to note that an equal division does not necessarily mean a 50/50 split.
The best way to determine how much money a wife may receive after a divorce is to consult with a knowledgeable divorce lawyer. We can evaluate the specific details of the case and provide personalized advice based on Texas family law.
Serving divorce papers to your spouse is a critical step in the divorce process. It ensures that they are aware of the legal proceedings and have the opportunity to respond. In Fort Worth, divorce papers must be served by a third-party who is not involved in the case.
Here are the general steps involved in serving divorce papers:
It’s important to have your Fort Worth divorce lawyer ensure that the serving of divorce papers adheres to all legal requirements. They can guide you through the process and address any questions or concerns you may have.
I highly recommend this law firm. I have had Brian and Kelly both represent me in now three seperate cases. They are men of integrity that are very prompt to answer questions and get back to you on important matters. They have always been well organized and stayed on top of the important information relevant to my cases. ...
Timothy Alexander did an exceptional job handling my divorce case. He was extremely prepared, very informative, and he made sure I was always kept in the loop. His professionalism, guidance and empathy tremendously helped during what could have been a much more difficult time. I was so pleased with the final outcome and ...
Highly recommend this law firm. Andrew McAlester goes above and beyond for his clients. He’s very resourceful and prompt in communication. I always refer Mr. McAlester to my family and friends in their time of need because I trust his judgement and I know he has his clients well being at the forefront of everything.
Tim Alexander represented me during my divorce. His compassion, empathy and communication during the process helped keep additional stresses out of an already stressful situation.
I highly recommend this firm. I mainly worked with Andrew McAlester. Andrew was super helpful and courteous during a very stressful situation that I found myself in. Thanks for everything!
Timothy Alexander is an amazing lawyer. He helped me with everything I needed to do to get my divorce final in a very short period of time. I always try to refer to him when anybody asks for a divorce lawyer. Thank you for everything you’ve done.
Kelly & Brian helped us in our child custody case and I am very pleased by their work. Our case ended up last almost 2 yrs due to COVID, however they were very easy to communicate with and constantly kept us up to date on our case and the courts. I would highly recommend them if you are needing a great custody lawyer ...
Mr. Alexander was the utmost professional. He was timely in his communication and very thorough in his answers. His approach helped make a difficult situation tolerable. One thing I greatly appreciated is that he did not just tell me what I wanted to hear. He would offer suggestions and allow me to make the final decisio ...
Kelly & Brian were amazing attorneys. I came to them when I really needed help with child custody issues, and they were committed to reaching the best possible outcome. I am writing this to express my most sincere thanks, and gratitude for their professionalism. They stuck by me through the last year in dealing with ...
Things happen and you need someone to tell it to you straight. Andrew McAlester is someone I trust to help me navigate through these difficult times.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Constance Mims who has over 15 years of experience practicing exclusively family law. Mrs. Mims is Board Certified in Family Law, by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization..
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