Principal Office
15110 Dallas Pkwy #400
Dallas, TX 75248
(972) 528-0478
15110 Dallas Pkwy #400
Dallas, TX 75248
(972) 528-0478
Years Defending Texans
Cases Dismissed
Criminal Cases Handled
Counties Served Across Texas
Available | Serving All of Texas
How costly, simple, and/or difficult your divorce is depends on several factors, especially the relationship between you and your spouse, the complexity of your case, and the type of legal services you choose.
If you and your spouse can reach agreements on issues such as child custody, child support, and property division, you can potentially minimize the cost of your divorce and make it much less stressful.
However, if you and your spouse are unable to reach agreements on your own, you may need to go through litigation, which is the process of having a judge decide your divorce case.
This is why it’s important to hire a Tarrant County divorce lawyer who has experience handling cases like yours — and that’s where the team here at the Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy comes in.
We make you feel comfortable through the divorce process and are here to represent your best interests. With this in mind, here are some tips to help your divorce go more smoothly:
Remember, divorce is a major life event. It is important to invest in an experienced Texas divorce lawyer at The Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy to help you protect your rights and interests.
Get the support you need with our Tarrant County Divorce Lawyer. Schedule a free consultation today to understand your options and move forward with confidence.
Choosing the right divorce lawyer can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. Our Tarrant County divorce lawyers bring a combination of experience, customized strategies, and compassionate support to every case we handle.
Here’s what sets us apart:
If you’re ready to discuss your divorce case and learn how our team can support you, contact us for a consultation. We’re here to help you through this difficult time and protect your future as legal counsel.
Our divorce lawyers in Tarrant County provide comprehensive support through all aspects of the divorce process. Whether you’re dealing with a straightforward, uncontested case or a property dispute, our team has the experience and dedication to guide you effectively.
In an uncontested divorce, both parties agree on terms, making the process quicker and often less costly. In contested cases, where disagreements on issues like custody, support, or asset division arise, our attorneys advocate fiercely for your rights.
We guide clients through both scenarios, providing strategic support to resolve conflicts as efficiently as possible.
Our priority in custody cases is to secure arrangements that serve the child’s best interests, ensuring a fair, balanced solution. We offer detailed guidance in calculating child support based on Texas guidelines, considering factors like parental income and the child’s needs.
Our team is dedicated to helping clients achieve custody terms that work for the entire family with our legal services.
For cases involving spousal support, we assess factors such as the length of the marriage, financial disparities, and each party’s need to pursue fair and reasonable support arrangements. Our team ensures that any alimony agreements reflect the couple’s specific circumstances, advocating for fair support for both parties.
Texas law mandates equitable division of marital assets, which can be particularly difficult with high-value assets, business interests, or retirement accounts. Our attorneys have extensive experience in Tarrant County handling detailed property and asset divisions, ensuring that clients receive a fair distribution that aligns with Texas guidelines.
In situations involving domestic violence, our priority is client safety. We assist in obtaining protective orders swiftly and effectively, providing support and legal protection when needed.
Our team takes allegations of domestic abuse seriously and works diligently to ensure clients have the resources and protection necessary to feel secure.
We also offer support in a wide range of divorce-related matters, including but not limited to:
Have you experienced a divorce? Or, are you wondering how much divorce will cost?
Our lawyers can be your affordable divorce support. If you need expert guidance in any of these areas, our Tarrant County divorce attorneys are here to help.
Our team’s proven success includes securing favorable results by paying close attention to each detail, gathering vital information, and tailoring strategies to fit each client’s unique circumstances. Recognizing the personal and financial strains of divorce, we work to simplify the process while defending your rights at every turn.
With over 35 years focused solely on family law, our firm brings seasoned experience to divorce cases and other family law matters in Tarrant County. We’re committed to achieving positive outcomes in every case, whether it involves child custody, spousal support, property division, or other aspects of divorce.
Our deep familiarity with Tarrant County and family court procedures allows us to guide clients confidently through every stage, providing clear communication and compassionate representation. If you’d like to discuss your case, contact us at (972) 528-0481 to schedule a consultation and explore how we can support you.
Talk to our Tarrant County divorce lawyer today. Get a free consultation to learn about your options and take the next step.
A typical divorce will follow the below process; however, please note that this will depend on the nuances of your situation, and we will tailor our guidance to your case:
Before divorce proceedings begin, one spouse must file a petition with the court for a divorce. This spouse is known as the petitioner, plaintiff, or person filing for divorce. Attorneys usually draw up the petition.
The initial petition often demands much more than the petitioner expects, such as alimony, child support, and assets. This is because the petition is a negotiation starting point.
The other spouse, the respondent, defendant, or person who did not file for divorce, has a limited time to file a response, usually admitting or denying each assertion and asking the court to deny the petitioner’s request. With the response, the respondent can also file a cross-petition, counterclaim, or cross-complaint to set forth their position on the basic facts and the relief they seek.
It is always a good idea for the respondent to file a cross-petition, especially if they have demands of their own, such as alimony, child support, or assets. Without a cross-petition, the respondent could be at a disadvantage in court.
Early in the divorce process, parties may file motions for temporary orders to address urgent issues, such as child custody, child support, alimony, or use of the marital home.
However, most parties prefer to reach a temporary agreement without going to court, as this can save money on attorney fees and create a more positive impression on the judge.
Discovery is the process of gathering information about your spouse and the circumstances of your marriage. This information will help us build a strong case for you for trial.
In addition to gathering favorable information about yourself, it is also important to anticipate your opponent’s case. This means thinking about the allegations your spouse is likely to make and gathering evidence to refute them — this is something we will do for you.
Winning a favorable judgment requires being prepared to deal with your spouse’s allegations. By anticipating your spouse’s case during discovery, we can develop a strong defense and increase your chances of success.
It is common for divorce cases to settle on the day of trial, or even during trial. Settlement agreements have several important advantages.
While it is tempting to negotiate directly with your spouse, it is almost always a mistake. Even if an attorney from our firm is involved, direct negotiations can lead to unrealistic expectations and miscommunication. This can make it more difficult to settle and can increase your overall legal costs.
Additional tips for negotiating a divorce settlement:
If you are considering a divorce, it is important to speak with our experienced divorce attorneys to discuss your options and protect your rights.
In many states, you will be required to attend at least one mandatory settlement conference, also known as a divorce pretrial conference. This is a meeting between the attorneys for both parties and the judge, where they will discuss the merits of the case and try to settle.
Pretrial conferences can be a valuable opportunity for both sides to fully realize the emotional and financial costs of a trial. This can lead to more rational negotiations.
The judge’s demeanor during the pretrial conference is very important. After hearing an overview of the facts, the judge may offer their opinion on the case and suggest possible settlement terms.
Some states may require a mediation of status conference in place of the divorce pretrial conference. Mediation is a process in which a neutral third party helps the parties to settle.
Tips for preparing for a divorce pretrial conference:
If you have any questions about the divorce pretrial conference process, be sure to ask the attorney we assign to your case.
While a minority of divorces go to trial, the likelihood of a trial varies depending on factors such as:
The length of a trial depends on the time allocated by the court and the number and complexity of issues to be decided. Trials can last anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks.
A typical trial process is:
Opening and closing arguments are not typically used in divorce trials, but some courts allow them.
During the trial, the judge will listen to the evidence presented by both sides and make a ruling on the issues before them. The ruling may include decisions about child custody, child support, alimony, and the division of property.
If you are facing a divorce trial, it is important to be prepared. This includes working with our attorney to develop a strong case and gathering all of the necessary evidence.
Here are some tips for preparing for a divorce trial:
Divorce can be a difficult and emotional experience, but it is important to remember that you are not alone. We can help you through the process and protect your rights.
Divorce can trigger a torrent of emotions, from anger to anxiety to depression. But even though this is a difficult experience, you cannot simply call in sick.
Your interests (and your children’s interests) depend on your ability to push through and make rational decisions. You must separate grievances that are significantly related to your children’s welfare from those that are personally offensive to you, no matter how serious they may be.
Remember that you are not alone on this journey. Our attorney will be your primary advisor, but many of the most important considerations are outside of our purview.
Therefore, it is usually helpful to seek advice from others whose knowledge and judgment you respect, such as a counselor.
Always talk to your attorney first. Friends and family can be helpful, but they may also make things worse. Knowing when to listen means knowing when to ignore.
Divorce can be a difficult and painful experience, but it is important to remember that you are not alone. There are people who care about you and want to help you through this.
Consult with our divorce lawyer today and find the best option for your situation.
Divorce can involve a wide range of possible issues requiring effective resolutions. Some of the most common include:
Conservatorship is a major part of any divorce involving children in Texas. It refers to the legal right and responsibility to care for a child, including making decisions about their upbringing, education, and healthcare.
There are two types of conservatorship in Texas:
The type of conservatorship that is best for your child will depend on their specific needs and circumstances.
In most cases, joint managing conservatorship is preferred, as it allows both parents to maintain a close relationship with their child. However, sole managing conservatorship may be necessary if there are concerns about the other parent’s ability to care for the child safely and effectively.
If you are going through a divorce in Texas, it is important to talk to an experienced Tarrant County family lawyer from our firm about your conservatorship options. We can help you understand your rights and develop a plan to protect your child’s best interests.
When deciding conservatorship, the court will consider the following factors:
The court will also consider the child’s preference if they are old enough and mature enough to express one. If you have any questions or concerns about conservatorship, please speak with an attorney from our team at your earliest convenience.
In Texas, both parents are required to financially support their child after a divorce. This can be done through an agreement between the parents or through a court order. If you are going through a divorce in Texas, it is important to have a Tarrant family law attorney from our law firm on your side to help you negotiate a fair child support order.
Factors that the court will consider when determining child support include the following:
The court will also consider any other relevant factors, such as the child’s special needs or the parents’ earning potential.
If you are unable to agree with your spouse on a child support amount, the court will hold a hearing to determine child support. At the hearing, both parents will have the opportunity to present evidence and argue their case. The judge will then issue a child support order based on the evidence and the factors listed above.
Child support orders can be modified if there is a significant change in circumstances, such as a change in the parents’ income or the child’s needs.
Establishing paternity is another vital part of any Texas divorce or conservatorship case. While mothers automatically have parental rights at the time their child is born, fathers in Texas must establish paternity to have the same rights and responsibilities.
There are two main ways to establish paternity in Texas:
If paternity is established, the father has the same rights and responsibilities as the mother, including the right to child custody, visitation, and support.
There are many reasons why it is important to establish paternity, including:
If you are a father in Texas and you have not established paternity, it is important to do so as soon as possible. You can contact a family law attorney from our firm to help you understand your rights and options.
Marital or community property is all property and debts acquired during the marriage, regardless of which spouse acquired them, except for gifts and inheritances to one spouse.
Here are the key elements of asset and property division in a divorce:
If you have any questions about property division in your divorce, you should consult with an attorney from our law firm at your earliest convenience.
Protection orders are often used strategically in family law cases, especially divorce cases when child custody and visitation are in dispute. This is a misuse of the system, as protection orders are intended to protect victims of abuse.
Protection orders, also known as restraining orders or domestic violence injunctions, are all powerful tools that can be used to restrict a person’s contact with another person or to prevent them from entering a certain location.
In divorce cases, some people may use protection orders to try to gain an advantage over their spouse. For example, they may file a protection order alleging abuse to obtain sole custody of the children or to force their spouse out of the marital home.
Note that protection orders should only be used in cases of genuine abuse. If you are considering filing a protection order, you should consult with our attorney to make sure that you meet the legal requirements.
Here are some tips for protecting yourself from misuse of protection orders in a divorce case:
Our divorce attorneys provide dedicated support to clients throughout Tarrant County, TX, and we’re well-acquainted with the unique processes of local family courts.
Our firm’s commitment extends beyond the major cities in the county, such as Fort Worth—we assist clients in all cities and towns across the county.
While we cover every county in The Lone Star State, we have a particular focus on:
If you’re looking for skilled legal support in any of these areas, schedule a free consultation with our trusted divorce attorneys to discuss how we can assist with your case.
We understand that every divorce case is unique, and our team is dedicated to listening to your concerns, understanding your goals, and developing a strategy tailored specifically to your situation. Scheduling an initial consultation allows you to discuss your circumstances in a confidential setting and receive insights on the best approach for moving forward.
Our commitment is to guide you through the divorce process with clarity, compassion, and professionalism. Whether you’re dealing with complicated property divisions, child custody matters, or other sensitive issues, we’re here to offer experienced legal support from start to finish.
Contact our family lawyers team today to take the first step toward a resolution that works for you if you have experienced a divorce.
Call us at (972) 445-9909 or fill out our online consultation form to schedule your free consultation.
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