We Know We’re Not The Only Divorce Lawyers In Dallas, And We Know You May Be Searching For The Right Attorney to Help You. We’re Different. We Have Successfully Handled A LOT Of Late-Life and Senior Divorces, Probably Just Like Yours. We Do Not Complicate Cases For Extra Billing, Really Care and Seek To Resolve Everything Fairly.
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Also known as “Gray” divorce, it refers to the increasing trend of older adults, typically aged 50 and above, deciding to end their marriages. The gray divorce meaning encompasses not just the legal process but also the unique challenges and considerations due to the life stage of those involved. Unlike divorces among younger couples, gray divorce often involves complex financial, emotional, and health-related issues that require careful navigation.
In Texas, the division of community property during a divorce is a major concern. It means that a lot is at stake.
As Divorce Attorneys, we navigate these waters with meticulous attention to detail, working to ensure that the court divides them fairly. It is our job to help our clients divide complex assets such as real property, retirement assets, and business assets.
Our approach combines a thorough understanding of Dallas property division laws with a strategic plan tailored to your unique circumstances. You can trust us to advocate for your financial interests with the same care as if they were our own.
Financial support provided by one spouse to the other after a divorce is referred to as spousal maintenance, or alimony, in Texas. This support is intended to help the spouse with lower earnings maintain their basic needs after divorce. Eligibility for spousal maintenance is significantly impacted by the 10-year rule, a critical component of the process in Texas.
The issue is ensuring alimony is fair. All too often clients come to us after working with another attorney with modification of alimony requests because important details were missed or the agreement was poorly negotiated.
Key Points of the 10-Year Rule
Duration of Marriage: In Texas the marriage must have lasted for a minimum of ten years.
Financial Need: The requesting spouse must lack sufficient property and income to provide for their minimum reasonable needs.
Efforts to Earn Income: The requesting spouse must show that they have made an effort to earn sufficient income or develop the skills to become self-supporting. This requirement may be waived due to physical or mental disability, duties as the custodian of a child with special needs, or another compelling reason. This point is typically subject to the most abuse by one side or the other in terms of the actual reality of the situation and requires solid investigation and documentation to avoid over or under payment.
Exceptions to the 10-Year Rule
While spousal maintenance is typically awarded in marriages that lasted 10 years or longer, there are exceptions where the court can award it even if the marriage was shorter than 10 years. Challenges related to family violence, disability of a spouse or child and other considerations may apply as exceptions to the rule. Contact us for guidance on whether this applies to you.
Duration and Amount of Spousal Maintenance
Several factors determine the amount and duration of spousal maintenance in Texas and are subject to specific limitations:
Duration: The court aims to limit the duration of maintenance to the shortest reasonable period that allows the recipient to earn sufficient income. However, specific caps are in place:
Up to five years if the marriage lasted 10 to 20 years.
Up to seven years if the marriage lasted 20 to 30 years.
Up to ten years if the marriage lasted more than 30 years.
Indefinite duration if the recipient spouse has a disability or is the custodian of a child with a disability.
Amount: Spousal maintenance varies depending on certain factors. Call our office to tell us about your situation.
Great law firm with high level professionals and supporting services. They have a clear process and billing system and they are very responsive. Highly recommended.
Client
I’ve had an excellent experience regarding any encounter I’ve had with this firm. They are professional, experienced and eager to serve their clients. I couldn’t recommend them more.
Client
Just had an absolutely amazing experience with the outcome of my divorce. The attorneys and their legal team at The Ashmore Law Firm were highly supportive and very professional. The pricing to obtain their services was very feasible. I highly recommend seeking their legal advice and guidance should you require family law intervention. Thank you Attorney Matthews, Alexia, and Lyndsey for a job well done!!!!! I can’t sing enough praise about the attention and detail put into my case. I felt so proud to be represented by Attorney Matthew’s at my court hearing. She was polished, articulate, and very professional. I feel at ease knowing that this chapter in my life is closed.
Client
Desaray Muma and her team went above and beyond to handle and conquer my case. I am so thankful and full of joy knowing that they did exactly what they said they would which was give it their all to fight on my behalf. I felt valued and reassured as well as given patience from the paralegal Lindsay to the financial advisor Hamid! Everyone was amazing to work with!
Client
The first thing to do when getting a divorce is to consult a lawyer for advice. Generally speaking, the first step involves filing a petition for divorce and serving your spouse with the divorce papers. Steps beyond that vary depending on the circumstances of each case, but can include seeking temporary orders to obtain child support, assistance with monthly obligations, exclusive use of a vehicle or residence, and rules to govern the custody of children.
If these are things you are looking for in a law firm, contact The Ashmore Law Firm today.
We help families within or near the Dallas County area.
Locally, clients come to us from Lake Wood, White Rock Lake, Old East Dallas, Far East Dallas, and Lower East Dallas.
We welcome your questions and want to understand your situation to help you move forward and achieve the peace of mind that comes with having everything done properly and efficiently. Call our law office at 214-559-7202 with questions and a description of your situation to see how we may be able to assist or schedule a consultation. Or you may simply fill out the form above on this page. Your form will be directly emailed to our office, and you can expect a reply within one business day, and often within hours the same day. All information you share is confidential.
Divorce lawyers in Dallas focused on results, compassion, and trust. Experienced in child custody, property division, and high net worth divorce.
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