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Divorcing in Texas while pregnant

On Behalf of | Jul 18, 2019 | Divorce

As many Houston couples know, not all marriages last forever. There are many marriages that just don’t work out for one reason or another. When a marriage isn’t destined for eternity, many couples just want the divorce to be finalized as soon as possible. If the wife is pregnant at the time of the divorce, however, this can cause problems.

A Texas court doesn’t usually grant a divorce if the wife is pregnant. They prefer to wait until after the baby is born so that they can establish paternity and work through child-related orders such as conservatorship, possession and child support. A couple also needs to keep in mind that there is a 60-day waiting period for a divorce. So, if the wife is three months pregnant, the couple would have to wait six months until the baby is born along with another 60-days for the waiting period. During these months a couple can file for divorce and work through the divorce process and through any complications to help make the divorce quicker when the waiting period is over.

A legal professional who is skilled in family law can help their client with their divorce questions. An attorney understands the nuances of Texas family law and can advise their client as to their legal options. Although a pregnant wife may have to wait months for a divorce to be finalized, it doesn’t mean the divorce is on hold. An attorney can help work through the property division, alimony and future child support, conservatorship and possession plans before the baby is even born. This can help speed up the divorce proceedings and prevent any complications that can slow down the divorce even more. An attorney understands how stressful and emotional a divorce can be for their client and will work hard to simplify the process and make sure their client’s needs are met both during the divorce process and in the years to come.

A pregnancy can complicate a couple’s impending divorce. But knowing Texas law surrounding pregnancy and the court’s preferences can help a couple be prepared for this life event.

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