Compassionate Austin Attorneys: Reducing Anxiety In A Texas Divorce.
Last updated on June 23, 2026
Divorce can be one of the most stressful events in a person’s life.
At Weinman & Associates, P.C., in Austin, we understand what you are going through. As a daughter of divorced parents and a mother and stepmother who has gone through a divorce herself, our principal lawyer knows firsthand the anxieties and concerns that arise during this emotional process. We want to reduce those anxieties and concerns for you.
We will protect your legal rights, provide you with the information you need to make well-informed decisions, and help you navigate the divorce process with dignity and respect. An experienced Austin divorce attorney can guide you through every stage of this transition.
Turning Your Divorce Into A Successful Transition
Divorce is all about transition. An Austin divorce lawyer can help you manage that transition with clarity and direction. You are transitioning out of a long-standing relationship, potentially moving into a new home and adapting to a new form of parenting. Our goal is to guide you through the transition to make it successful for you.
The issues involved in divorce generally fall into two categories:
- Decisions that affect the best interest of your children: Your divorce will determine child custody, establish co-parenting plans, set a visitation schedule and finalize child support.
- Decisions that involve your finances: Your divorce will also divide your marital property, allocate debts, and establish spousal maintenance or support.
Often, it is best to work out a reasonable and individualized agreement on these issues through negotiation, mediation or collaborative divorce rather than allow a judge to make these decisions for you. However, if you and your spouse cannot negotiate, we will prepare a strong case for you and take it to court to pursue a fair outcome.
We are family law attorneys who believe in the value of education, so we will make certain that you understand the timeline for divorce and answer all your questions throughout the process.
How Long Does A Divorce Take?
Divorce does not follow a one-size-fits-all schedule. The length of your case depends on factors like contested issues, willingness to cooperate and court availability. While some divorces can be finalized quickly, others may take months or even longer. Understanding the main steps can help you know what to expect.
The Divorce Timeline In Texas
While divorce cases can vary dramatically, here is a loose timeline that most cases follow:
Petition For Divorce
The first step in the divorce process is for one spouse, referred to as the petitioner, to file an original petition for divorce with the court. The other spouse, referred to as the respondent, will be served divorce papers. Spouses working together can waive the serving process.
At this stage, a temporary restraining order may be requested. These orders often serve to protect marital assets from being depleted while the divorce is in progress. Temporary orders may also be issued to address parenting time, child support and spousal support.
Conduct Discovery
A fair outcome requires that both parties have all of the information about assets and other issues. During the discovery process, both parties will be required to share documentation and other necessary information. This stage can be particularly important if one party believes the other is hiding assets or not reporting the full extent of his or her income. A skilled lawyer will know how to use this process to ensure all facts are on the table.
Negotiate
We believe strongly that the majority of divorce disputes can be resolved through negotiation. Many people find that, with our careful guidance, they are able to reach creative and positive outcomes that they never would have achieved had they let a judge decide for them. Furthermore, negotiation is often less stressful, and can save time and money.
We can serve as your advocates through traditional negotiation or through mediation, which is facilitated by a neutral third-party mediator. Keep in mind that Texas law actually requires that divorcing parties attempt mediation prior to proceeding to trial.
If negotiation is successful, your attorney will prepare an agreed decree of divorce. This will document the terms of the agreement. You will sign it. Your spouse will sign it. The divorce decree will then be turned over to a judge, who will also sign off on it.
Go To Trial
At Weinman & Associates, P.C., in Austin, we have built a successful trial record over the course of more than 20 years handling contested divorce cases. If attempts to reach an amicable resolution through mediation are unsuccessful, we will aggressively advocate for you in court.
Going to trial is essentially letting a judge reach decisions on your behalf. Therefore, success at trial requires that a lawyer be able to clearly and carefully communicate all of the pertinent facts, while making a persuasive argument for the judge to decide in favor of the client. We know how to build cases for success at trial, and we are time-tested in this venue.
After the trial, the court’s rulings will be documented in a final decree of divorce, which will be signed by the judge and binding for both parties.
How Much Does A Divorce Cost?
Much like the duration of the divorce, the cost of your divorce is largely in your and your spouse’s hands. We strive to keep our fees reasonable, and we will provide guidance on any potential money-saving options, such as reaching resolutions via negotiation or mediation. If your case proceeds to a trial, that will likely be more expensive.
What Are The Residency Requirements For Divorce?
Texas divorce is only available if one of the spouses has lived in the state for at least six months and in the county where the divorce is filed for at least 90 days.
Stating The Grounds For Your Divorce
In Texas, the petition for divorce must state the grounds for divorce. There are seven options available. The first option is insupportability. These grounds for divorce are based on discord or personality conflicts that prevent the marriage from continuing and make reconciliation impossible. Couples frequently use insupportability as a ground for divorce because it does not lay blame.
The other possible grounds for divorce are:
- Cruelty
- Adultery
- Conviction of a felony
- Abandonment
- Living apart for more than three years
- Confinement in a mental institution
In guiding you through the divorce process, no matter what the grounds for your divorce are, our goal will be to protect your financial rights and interests. We want to help you in your transition to life after divorce.
Protecting Your Parental Rights And Your Children
If you have children, their well-being is undoubtedly your primary concern. We have extensive experience in matters involving the following areas:
- Child custody
- Co-parenting
- Visitation
- Parental moves and relocation
- Interstate and international child custody issues
- The prevention of international child abductions and the return of children taken overseas
- Grandparents’ rights
At Weinman & Associates, P.C., we will work tirelessly to protect your rights and your children during the dissolution process. We will help you put your children first.
The divorce process requires addressing urgent issues right away, such as deciding who will stay in the family home. This will vary depending on the specifics of the case. We will help you sort out that concern as well as the particulars regarding areas such as temporary child custody arrangements, child support and spousal support.
Protecting Your Financial Interests
Whether it is a contested divorce or an uncontested divorce, the financial aspects should be examined carefully from the time you first consider a divorce. Attorney Weinman has a background in finance and experience in complex property division cases. This knowledge enables her to appropriately evaluate issues involving the valuation of assets as well as the tax implications of a proposed settlement.
We are also equipped to deal with the unique issues involved in gray divorce, military divorce and other types of divorce. Working with a trusted Austin divorce lawyer can help you prepare for both the legal and personal changes ahead.
Contact An Austin Divorce Lawyer
For a consultation with one of us at Weinman & Associates, P.C., call 512-472-4040 or send us an email. Each member of our staff has personal experience with family law litigation, which we will use to advise and guide you toward a successful outcome.