Don't Let This Happen to You
Picture morning docket call at any Texas courthouse. Attorneys mill about, finding files, saying hello to other attorneys or speaking urgently with clients in the hallway. Perhaps a jury panel is standing around as well, waiting its turn to enter the courtroom. The Sheriff may bring in a string of prisoners in their jail jumpsuits and chains. Amidst the chaos, the gallery fills with parties and witnesses and waits for the judge to appear.
Suddenly the bailiff calls "All Rise!" and the judge sweeps into the courtroom. Everyone stands up and then, at the judge's invitation, sits back down again. The judge may or may not call the docket, but the first order of business once everyone settles down is "prove ups," or uncontested matters. Chief among the prove ups are uncontested divorces.
A couple of attorneys smoothly walk their clients through prove ups, but then the judge calls a pro se case, or in other words, a case without a lawyer. A man or a woman timidly walks to the bench, is sworn in and hands his or her paperwork to the judge. The person then reads off a litany of testimony copied from the website where he or she bought forms to get divorced. It quickly becomes apparent that the testimony is inaccurate or incomplete, that the spouse was not properly served, that the paperwork is wrong, or whatever. The judge is prohibited from giving any legal advice. The only option is to send the person away for another try later or after retaining an attorney. Everyone involved - the judge, the person who wants a divorce, and others waiting for their turns with the court - is frustrated by the wasted time.
Let us help you get your agreed divorce without any hassle or confusion.
