An agreed divorce, with a flat fee you can see from the start.

Agreement means both spouses accept the same terms: who keeps the house, how accounts and debts are divided, conservatorship and possession of the children, and the amount of child support. A general willingness to divorce is not enough if the details are still in dispute.

Texas can grant the divorce if the residency requirements are met, but the court's power over a nonresident spouse and property located elsewhere may be limited. The specific facts matter, and additional steps such as service by publication may be required.

A missing spouse does not necessarily prevent a divorce, but the case is no longer a simple agreed matter. Service by publication, alternative service, and default procedures may be needed. The court will require evidence that reasonable efforts were made to locate the spouse.

Court filing fees, service fees, mediator charges, and work outside the agreed scope are generally separate. If the case becomes contested or requires hearings beyond the prove-up, the engagement may need to be revised. Those boundaries are explained in the written fee agreement.

The number of included revisions is set in the engagement letter. Most agreed decrees need one or two rounds of changes. If the terms keep shifting or a spouse introduces new demands, the matter may need to be re-scoped.

Only one spouse needs an attorney for the drafting and filing. The other spouse should have the opportunity to consult independent counsel before signing. A court may refuse to approve an agreement that appears unfair or the product of pressure.

A prove-up is the short hearing where the judge reviews the agreed decree and confirms that the divorce should be granted. It can sometimes be handled by affidavit or submission, depending on the court. Both spouses usually do not need to attend if they have signed the agreed documents.

The petition can be filed while some details are still being negotiated, which starts the 60-day clock. The final decree should not be signed until both spouses agree on every term. Filing early can shorten the overall timeline when the remaining issues are simple.

The decree is the final order. Deeds, retirement transfers, name changes, and account updates may still need to be completed. Some documents must be recorded with the county clerk. The firm can identify the follow-up steps that apply to your agreement.

Yes, parents can agree to a different possession schedule, and courts often approve agreements that serve the children's best interest. The schedule should be specific enough to avoid future disputes: exchange times, holidays, travel, communication, and decision-making authority all belong in the decree.

Yes, if the other spouse agrees and the mortgage and equity are addressed. The decree should state who pays the mortgage, how the equity is divided, and what happens if the home is later sold or refinanced. A deed transfer alone does not remove a mortgage obligation.

The decree can award a portion of a retirement account to one spouse, but the plan may require a separate domestic relations order to process the transfer. The type of account, the community portion, and the plan's rules determine the documents needed. This should be planned before the decree is signed.