What are the steps in the divorce process?

In Texas, the divorce process is fairly straightforward. The first step is to file a Petition for Divorce with the court and serve it to your spouse. Your petition will include a statement about the grounds for the divorce and brief information about your marriage and any children from the marriage. This process normally takes about 20 days. The next step is to have your spouse respond with a formal answer. If your spouse objects to the grounds for divorce or any other terms in the petition, they must respond with an answer and their reasons for objecting. Once both the petition and the answer have been filed, the court will set a hearing date and issue a temporary restraining order against either party, if necessary. This order assures that neither party can hurt or harass the other or transfer any assets prior to the final hearing. At the final hearing, both parties must appear in court before a judge. The judge will review all evidence presented and make a ruling. During this hearing, both parties are allowed to present witnesses and argue in support of their position. The court will then decide issues such as the division of assets, child custody, spousal support, and any other matters to be resolved. Once the ruling is made, it will be documented and the parties must adhere to the terms of the court order. The court order is usually finalized within 30 days. If either party fails to comply with the court order, they may be held in contempt of court.

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