Getting divorced is challenging for both genders, and men and women are treated the same in the eyes of the law in Texas. However, it can still be much harder for fathers to gain custody of their children. Similarly, men more often engage in self-destructive behavior after a divorce, and they are at risk of losing their social network. Let’s have a look at some common challenges you could be facing and how to best navigate them.
7 Common Challenges for Men During a Divorce in Sugar Land, TX, Houston, TX, or Cypress, TX
1. Finding a Competent Divorce Attorney for Men
To get started, browse local law firms’ websites and read the biographies of the attorneys. Do they specialize in family law, and have they worked with people in your situation before? If you have a high net worth, children, or legal issues that complicate your case, you should call the lawyer before booking an appointment and ask them whether they regularly deal with cases similar to yours.
2. Keeping the Most Important Assets
In Texas, family law dictates that assets acquired during the marriage are joint property, which means that it will be split 50-50. However, your spouse can’t gain access to anything you have brought into the marriage or that has been gifted specifically to you. Sometimes, it can be hard to trace which assets belong to which category, so it is crucial that you have a great lawyer who can help you figure this out.
3. Proving Paternity
Sometimes, there is some doubt, and if either you or the mother aren’t sure whether you are the biological father, you will need to do a paternity test. This provides clear proof, but it can be a hassle and expensive, so you should try to avoid it if you can.
4. Getting Custody
However, even if you are both granted custody, your lawyer will have to help you work out the details of the arrangement. One parent is likely to be the primary guardian, and their house will be the place the children spend the most time in. The other parent will get to see them on a regular basis, but they may not have as much power to make decisions for their wellbeing. To obtain the outcome that suits you best, you’ll need to fight for your father’s rights.
5. Agreeing on Alimony and Child Support
Despite increasing equality, it is still more likely that the father has a higher-paying job than the mother, so he might have to pay a lot of money to his former partner. Your attorney can help you negotiate a fair outcome that allows your former spouse to have the support she needs without putting you at risk of financial hardship.
6. Mental Health Issues and Self-Destructive Behavior
In such a situation, getting help from a therapist or counselor could be extremely productive. Working through your issues in a safe space allows you to deal with them in a constructive way, which prevents you from putting your health at risk. What’s more, you might be less likely to display negative emotions in court and therefore be able to achieve a better outcome.
7. Social Issues
Help for Men
If you’re getting a divorce, you might be struggling with a number of issues, including the division of your assets, getting custody of your children, negotiating an alimony and child support agreement, and dealing with your negative emotions. An experienced divorce attorney for men local to Sugar Land, TX, Houston, TX, or Cypress, TX helps you get through this process with less stress and anxiety.
When you get in touch with your lawyer, they will invite you to meet with them and discuss your situation. During this initial consultation, you can explain what happened, why you are getting a divorce, and what your ideal outcome is. Then, we work towards this goal together. Get in touch with us now at Skillern Law to speak to one of our experts.