Totally broke? You can still get a divorce
The information in this column is intended to provide a general understanding of the law, not as legal advice. Readers with legal problems, including those whose questions are addressed here, should consult attorneys for advice on their particular circumstances.
Q: I really need to get divorced, but I don’t have any money. I probably can’t even afford the filing fees. Forget hiring a lawyer. Is there a way can I get divorced at no cost?
A: You can most likely get divorced without a lawyer, and you might be able to get the filing fees waived as well.
Start by visiting this website, which was created by the Texas Legal Services Center: www. texaslawhelp.org. There you can find divorce forms available for download, some of which have been approved by the Texas Supreme Court.
From the home page, click on “Family, Divorce and Children.” Then follow the steps to get to the right sets of forms. There are also detailed instructions as well as a Question and Answer section. You can even chat with a law student or lawyer if you have other questions that are not addressed in the materials they offer.
As far as filing fees are concerned, as mentioned in the Question and Answer section, you can file a form called Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs or an Appeal Bond. There are a number of conditions that will cause the judge to agree to waive the fees. You can read more about this subject at that website.
If you do not want to handle your own divorce, another option is to contact the Houston Volunteer Lawyers, a service provided by the Houston Bar Association. They provide free legal representation to persons who have limited assets and household incomes which do not exceed their maximum limits. HVL’s phone number is 713-2280732, and you can call during business hours to learn how to apply for its services, or you can go to HVL’s website at www. makejusticehappen.org.
If you are being represented by HVL, you will most likely get the filing fees waived.
Lone Star Legal Aid is another option you can try. It is a nonprofit that provides free legal services to residents of Texas. But just like with HVL, you can’t earn too much money, otherwise you will not qualify. Its telephone number is 713652-0077, and its website is www.lonestarlegal.org.
There is one more free service available to you. If you decide to handle your divorce yourself, you can get help from an HVL staff attorney every week day in the Civil District Courthouse at 201 Caroline downtown. An attorney is there from 8:30 to 2 every day. The attorney won’t give you legal advice but should be able to answer your questions. More information is available at the www.makejusticehappen.org website.