Handling Your Own Divorce
FIRST THINGS FIRST!
Filing for divorce is challenging, and being represented by a lawyer is highly recommended. You may unintentionally give up a significant recovery because you don't know how to pursue it. However, you have the right to proceed without a lawyer, if you wish. Judge Ferguson has prepared this Procedure and Checklist to walk you through the divorce process. Download and follow this procedure to quickly and easily obtain an agreed divorce.
Follow the Divorce Checklist
This checklist will help you make sure you are ready for your final hearing.
Complete the Required Inventory Form
As explained in the Local Procedure linked above, you must prepare and sign an Inventory form that lists all of your assets, and describes all your debts. Signed Inventories must be submitted to the clerk prior to your final hearing. Click below to download and fill-out the form, and click here for helpful guidance in filling it out.
TYLA Free Guide to Handling Your Own Divorce
This free guide published by the Texas Young Lawyers' Association will help you avoid common mistakes and complete the divorce process more quickly and with less stress.
Free Family Law Forms
if you are filing for divorce, annulment, child support or name change, you must follow the same rules whether you are represented by a lawyer or not. The Supreme Court of Texas provides free forms for common family law cases, which you can access through this button.
Child Support Calculator
It is presumed that child support will be paid in all family law cases involving children. With rare exception, this Court will not approve family law agreements that waive child support. Click below to calculate an estimate of what your child support obligation will be, based on your current gross income. [Note: input your gross income (before removing taxes, health care and retirement), not your take-home pay.]
Texas Rules and Codes
The Rules apply to all family law cases, whether you are represented or not. You are required to follow all court procedures, meet with all deadlines, and comply with the rules of evidence.
Click the following to access the most commonly used rules in civil and family law cases:
- Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
- Texas Rules of Evidence
- Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure
- Texas Family Code, CPRC, and other Texas codes and statutes
Be sure, if you are using Google to do your "legal research," that you are relying upon the CURRENT version of the applicable statutes. These Codes change every two years, and search engines often do not differentiate in their search results.