Divorce can affect your children, finances, home, business, and future. The Barrera Law Firm helps clients in Harlingen and across the Rio Grande Valley understand their options, protect their rights, and move through the Texas divorce process with clear legal guidance.
When spouses cannot agree on key terms and the court helps resolve the dispute.
When both spouses agree on the major issues and want an efficient, lower-conflict process.
Protecting your parenting time and your children’s stability throughout the divorce.
Conservatorship, possession schedules, and access arrangements that fit your family.
Establishing, calculating, or modifying support and enforcing existing orders.
Dividing the home, accounts, retirement, business interests, and marital debt.
Whether spousal maintenance may apply under Texas’s limited eligibility rules.
Proving or contesting an informal marriage in a divorce or property dispute.
Changing or enforcing custody, support, and other orders after your divorce.
Every divorce is different, but most Texas cases move through a similar sequence of steps from filing to final decree.
Filing the petition
Service or waiver
60-day waiting period
Temporary orders, if needed
Financial disclosures and discovery
Negotiation or mediation
Court hearing or trial, if necessary
Final decree
In a Texas divorce, property and debts acquired during the marriage may need to be divided. That can include the home, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement accounts, business interests, credit card debt, and other financial obligations. A divorce lawyer can help identify what may be community property, what may be separate property, and what issues need to be addressed before an agreement is signed.
More information can be viewed at Mistakes to Avoid When Filing for a Divorce
A custody battle can be intense. Evidence and witnesses will be examined by a judge and/or jury to determine what would be in the best interest of the child or children. Nothing is held back. A key battle is usually getting temporary orders established that designate custody, access, and possession.
See more detail regarding Child Custody
As there can be many different circumstances within each child support case, it is important to know your rights as a parent and the law concerning child support. The best interests of the child or children are the concern of the court. There may be instances in which revisions or changes to calculations are permitted — if the child needs more due to medical attention, disability care, schooling, and similar factors, the court takes these into consideration.
Texas does not use the term alimony in the same way many people expect. Instead, Texas law allows spousal maintenance only in limited circumstances. Eligibility may depend on factors such as the length of the marriage, financial need, disability, family violence, or the care of a child with a disability. A divorce lawyer can help you understand whether spousal maintenance may be an issue in your case.
Texas recognizes informal, or common-law, marriage when certain legal requirements are met. In a divorce or property dispute, one party may need to prove that an informal marriage existed. Evidence may involve how the couple represented the relationship, whether they lived together as spouses, and whether they agreed to be married.
An uncontested divorce is one in which both parties agree on all relevant issues, including but not limited to:
An uncontested divorce can be faster and less costly than a contested case, but the required legal steps still have to be completed correctly. Because the final agreement can have long-term consequences, it is important to make sure the terms are clear, complete, and legally enforceable.
Some divorce cases require immediate action. Temporary restraining orders and temporary orders may be used to preserve stability while the case is pending — including issues involving children, property, finances, insurance, communication, and possession of the marital residence.
A TRO is typically short-term. After it is filed, the court usually sets a temporary orders hearing where both parties can appear before the judge and present evidence regarding finances, conservatorship, possession schedules, child support, and use of property during the divorce.
Need help with an urgent divorce matter? Contact us today.
The Barrera Law Firm represents divorce and family law clients in Harlingen and throughout the Rio Grande Valley, including Cameron County, Hidalgo County, and Willacy County.
If you are looking for an exceptional family law attorney, look no further than Rick Barrera and the Barrera Law Firm. I could not be more satisfied with his guidance through my divorce, particularly his success in resolving complex reimbursement and property issues during mediation. From day one, Mr. Barrera was professional, incredibly responsive, and compassionate. He has a rare gift for breaking down intimidating legal concepts, giving me confidence at every step. His sharp legal expertise turned a stressful process into a successful outcome.
— Ronald Robles, Google
Ric Barrera got me everything I wanted in my divorce. Most importantly, he got me my son! I felt heard and less vulnerable during a stressful time. Mr. Barrera is very knowledgeable of family law and worked his hardest to achieve positive results. Ric and his office staff always gave me clear guidance, quick responses, and updates, and he did his best to help me minimize my legal fees. I will always be grateful for what he did for me and my son.
— Ana Garza, Google
I would like to thank Rick for his exceptional service as my divorce attorney. My divorce was a long and stressful process, but Rick was there for me every step of the way. He is an absolute professional and always thinks about his client first. I would highly recommend him to anyone needing attorney services.
— Javier Larraga, Google
Mr. Barrera made the process quick, simple, and to the point. Great lawyer to have when going through a divorce. Would rate him 10/10.
— Dakota Ruiz, Google
I want to thank Mr. Barrera and The Barrera Law Firm staff for their awesome work. They have been a great help in my divorce and child custody process. If you get their service, you are not going to regret it. Thank you once again.
— Luis Briceno, Google
If you are dealing with a divorce or any family law matter, The Barrera Law Firm can help you understand your options and next steps. Attorney Ric Barrera is available for free phone consultations and free in-person emergency appointments — reach out today.
Answers to the questions we hear most often from clients navigating a Texas divorce.
Theoretically, one could navigate the legal documents and process alone, but the procedures and requirements for proper finalization are not simple, and major issues are sometimes missed relating to property and debt, title changes, name changes, and provisions for custody and visitation. While it might seem like an unnecessary expense during an uncontested divorce, hiring an attorney can provide invaluable peace of mind. By ensuring your legal rights are protected and that all agreements are fair and compliant with state law, an attorney can help make sure each step is done according to the court’s rules.
Yes, provided you can meet the burden of proof required to show the relationship existed. This can usually be shown through filing taxes together or other governmental paperwork concerning the marriage. Other facts and circumstances can also come into play. Professional legal advice can be invaluable in this process.
Texas law provides access and possession according to the court order. Any time a parent blocks access, hides the child, or prevents visitation contrary to the court order, that parent may end up in hot water with the court.
Under Texas law, child support continues to accrue even when the person obligated to pay is unemployed, and non-payment will result in accrued interest and possibly jail time.
There is no provision for alimony in Texas. Texas law provides for spousal maintenance only under specific circumstances — generally when the marriage has lasted at least 10 years — and the support from the other spouse typically lasts only for a limited time.
