Family Law FAQs
- How long will it take to get a divorce?
- Can one lawyer represent both spouses?
- How is child support calculated?
- How much are attorneys' fees and costs?
Q: How long will it take to get a divorce?
A: Texas imposes a statutory waiting period of 60 days following the filing of a divorce petition before a party can finalize the divorce. If you and your spouse can agree on all of the terms on the divorce, reduce it to writing, and sign the agreement, the District Court Judge can sign the agreement and finalize the divorce shortly after the 60 day waiting period. Contested divorces where the parties cannot agree on certain terms in the divorce typically take much longer because they must proceed through trial.
Q: Can one lawyer represent both spouses?
A: An attorney cannot ethically represent both a husband and wife in a divorce action, and at Sondra Kaighen & Associates, P.C., we are committed to upholding the highest ethical standards. In many cases, especially in uncontested or collaborative divorces, one spouse's attorney will handle all of the paperwork. The unrepresented spouse may act as his or her own attorney and deal directly with the represented party's counsel. However, the attorney cannot divulge any confidential information or give any legal advice to the unrepresented spouse.
Q: How is child support calculated?
A: In Texas, child support is calculated as a percentage of the non-custodial parent's "net resources," allocated as follows:
- 20% of net resources for one child
- 25% for two children
- 30% for three children
- 35% for four children
- 40% for five children
- No less than 40% for six or more children (subject to certain maximum limits)
Q: How much are attorneys' fees and costs?
A: It is difficult to estimate a total cost of a divorce or other family law proceeding because each case requires a different amount of attention and time. It also depends on which attorney handles your case and how much staff work is required. Sondra Kaighen charges $300.00 per hour, associate attorneys Kristina R. Lucas and Shauna Beradinelli Correia charge $200.00 per hour, and legal assistants Krista Edwards and Diana Jaramillo charge $75.00 per hour, and we bill in quarter-hour increments. We usually take the retainer fee deposits up front and deposit them into a client trust account. All time and costs are billed against that deposit, and we mail itemized statements to each client on the 25th of each month.
Seek Experienced Legal Counsel
Each divorce and family law dispute is different. It is important to hire experienced attorneys who are committed to helping each client protect his or her rights and interests. We have dedicated our careers to helping our clients through divorce, child support, and other family law matters, and Sondra is Board Certified in Family Law. To schedule a consultation, contact Sondra Kaighen & Associates, P.C. today.
