Experienced Family Lawyer in the Longview, TX, Area
The process of family law can be confusing, stressful, and even frightening. Whether you’re filing for divorce, working through a custody agreement, or setting up child support, you want a trust family law attorney by your side.
Richard Hughes has more than 30 years of experience helping families navigate the complexities and struggles of life. No matter what brought you here, Richard Hughes can help.
Divorce Lawyer in Longview, TX
No one wants to be going through this process, but sometimes life takes an unexpected turn. While we can’t make everything perfect, we can stand by you and help you navigate the process. If you need a divorce attorney in Longview, TX, contact Richard Hughes.
What Does the Divorce Process Look Like?
We understand you have questions and uncertainties right now. Gaining a greater understanding of the process will help you achieve some agency in this difficult time.
File for Divorce
Doing the actual filing for divorce is the first step. Filing with the district clerk starts the divorce process and opens your case. From there, you’ll be assigned to a family court. The assignments are at random, so you’ll be blindly assigned a court to make the process as fair as possible.
Receive Temporary Orders
Temporary orders govern initial disputes, like a visitation schedule and any support payments. It may also temporarily determine who uses any shared property.
Both parties will abide by the temporary orders until something more permanent is established in mediation or trial.
Discovery
Discovery is when the court gathers the relevant information from both parties.
It is crucial to make sure all the important information is out in the open before trial. This way, the proceedings can be as amicable as possible.
Mediation
Mediation is where the two parties meet outside of court to handle division of property, custody agreements, child support, and anything else relevant to the case.
In an ideal world, this is where the process ends. It isn’t always possible, and more contentious divorces may need to go to trial–though Richard Hughes tries to avoid that outcome if possible.
Trial
We hope it doesn’t come to this, but sometimes it does. If mediation doesn’t go smoothly or you have a contested divorce, you’ll have to go to trial.
This is why compassionate, quality legal representation is so important. When you’re in court, you want someone you trust by your side.
As your Longview, TX, divorce attorney, Richard Hughes is committed to helping you through even a difficult trial.
Child Custody Lawyer in Longview, TX
From time to time, custody agreements need to be altered. If one parent wants to move, change schedules significantly, or spend more time with the child, they’ll need to restructure the custody agreement.
You’ll need to file a petition with the court to change custody. If the petition is uncontested, that makes things easier. If it’s contested, the process can be difficult.
Either way, you want to choose experienced custody lawyers in Longview, TX, who have your family’s best interests in mind.
Alimony & Child Support Lawyer in Longview, TX
Just like custody agreements, sometimes alimony and child support agreements need to be restructured outside of divorce court.
These can be contested–or not. Uncontested changes are reasonably simple affairs, but contested ones can draw out and require some negotiation.
If you need to change your alimony or child support agreements, you want a compassionate family law attorney to help you with the process.
A Consultation with a Longview, TX, Family Lawyer Will Help You Take the Next Step
Richard Hughes knows this isn’t an easy time for you. With over 30 years of experience, he’s seen many cases like yours and helped people just like you.
If you need to show up in family court, make sure you have someone with you who can guide you and care for you throughout the entire process.