Uncontested Divorce Attorney ● The Enos Law Firm, P.C.

Waiver of Citation ● Divorce Decree

An agreed or uncontested divorce saves a lot of stress, time, and money for both spouses. A divorce is considered “uncontested” if both agree on property division and child custody and support issues (if there are children involved).

At the Enos Law Firm, our divorce attorneys and legal staff help you keep the legal expenses of your uncontested divorce to a minimum while assuring that all the legal requirements have been met. When you have questions about uncontested divorces or any family law issues, contact uncontested divorce attorney Greg Enos at the Enos Law Firm, P.C.

The Divorce Process - Uncontested Divorces

What is an uncontested divorce?
If the husband and wife agree on a divorce settlement and there is nothing to fight over, the case is uncontested.

If the case is uncontested, do both sides hire a lawyer?
In uncontested cases, usually only one of the spouses hires an attorney to prepare the necessary paperwork. A lawyer can never represent both sides in a divorce. If, for example, the husband hires a lawyer in an uncontested divorce, that lawyer will prepare and file the divorce petition, and draft the waiver of citation and divorce decree. The lawyer will also go to court with the husband to get the divorce approved by the judge.

The wife in this example only needs to read and sign the waiver and the final decree. She may call the husband’s lawyer to ask questions, but she must always bear in mind that the lawyer does not work for her. The wife may want to consult an attorney to make sure the divorce decree is fair to her and truly reflects the settlement the parties have reached.

How is an uncontested divorce handled?
Once the divorce petition has been filed and the waiver of citation signed, a final divorce decree is prepared and signed by both sides. There is a 60-day waiting period for divorces in Texas, meaning that a divorce cannot be granted until 60 days after a divorce petition is filed. The final step is for the husband or wife and a lawyer to go to court to get the judge to approve the divorce and sign the decree.

What is a waiver of citation?
In the usual lawsuit, one party files and the other gets served with the suit by a constable or process server. In an uncontested divorce (where saving money is important), the divorce petition is simply mailed to the other spouse along with a waiver of citation. The husband or wife who signs the waiver is merely acknowledging that he or she has received the divorce petition and does not need to be officially served. The waiver also allows the final divorce hearing to be held without that person being present and says a court reporter does not need to record what is said. This language scares some people, but it is routine. If the case is truly uncontested, a person who gets such a waiver should sign it as long as he or she gets to approve and sign the final divorce decree.

What is the divorce decree?
The divorce petition is the first document filed in a divorce because it starts the divorce lawsuit. The decree is usually the last document in a divorce. The divorce decree is the official document signed by the judge. The decree divorces the parties, orders how property and debts are divided, and provides for child custody, visitation, support, etc.

What happens at court when an uncontested divorce is presented?
Only one of the spouses needs to go to court, although both can be present if they want to. Your lawyer will usually schedule the court appearance and notify the court clerk. Some forms must be filled out, especially if children are involved. When your case is called, you and your lawyer approach the bench where the judge sits. The judge will usually be looking over the divorce decree and waiver while your lawyer asks you a few, simple questions including:

• Your name
• Your spouse’s name
• Texas and county residency
• Dates of marriage and separation
• Is there a signed waiver of citation?
• Is there a signed divorce decree?
• Is there no hope of reconciliation?
• Are there children? Is the wife pregnant?
• Are you asking the court for a divorce?

The lawyer may explain the child custody and property division agreement. The judge may ask a few questions, but then he or she will usually say that the divorce is granted. As simple as that, you are divorced. You will need to get a copy of the final, signed divorce decree. If needed, a child support account will need to be set up with the district clerk's office. A divorce is not final for 30 days and you cannot remarry before that time without court approval.

Helping Families With Affordable Uncontested Divorces

The Enos Law Firm, P.C., requires a modest retainer of $1,200 for uncontested divorces in Galveston County and Harris County, Texas. This amount includes the filing fee and is usually enough to pay for the entire uncontested divorce. There are additional charges for certain types of documents (such as a QDRO – a Qualified Domestic Relations Order dealing with retirement plans and other employee benefits), excessive document revisions or phone calls. The fee will be higher if the case becomes contested. See our contract for precise details. The price quoted is subject to change.

When you have questions about divorce, contact the family law firm that understands –The Enos Law Firm of Houston and Galveston, Texas

The Enos Law Firm, P.C., represents clients with legal matters involving divorce, family law, and personal injury and death cases (including medical malpractice), in Harris County and Galveston County ,Texas, including the communities of Houston, Galveston, Clear Lake, League City, and Texas City .