Getting a divorce in Texas can be a complicated process in your life, from the moment that your divorce lawyer files the papers until the final decree is approved by the court.
During this period of time when you are ending a marriage so you and your spouse can once again exist separately, it is important to carefully monitor your behavior while the divorce is going on.
Divorce attorneys warn their clients that what you do during the process, including getting a DWI, can affect the outcome of your divorce.
DWIs are one of the more common infractions that can turn any divorce into a much more complicated event.
A DWI Can Change The Outcome Of A Divorce
An arrest for driving under the influence can be a lot more damaging than just the conviction itself and how it affects your life afterward
In fact, divorce lawyers helping spouses who are in the midst of a DWI charge or possible conviction find that this can have a substantial negative effect on the whole divorce process.
Anything that is a negative mark on your character could reduce your credibility to where it significantly changes the outcome of a divorce.
Although conviction of DWI is definitely the worst-case scenario, divorce attorneys stress that just being involved in an active DWI case with charges against you can still have an impact.
DWI, Divorce, And Property Division
While the division of marital property will still occur as it normally would in any divorce situation, lawyers find that a DWI happening at the same time can complicate the matter even more than it might normally.
With legal fees for paying a criminal defense attorney and penalty fines sometimes adding up to tens of thousands of dollars, this is definitely something that will affect the distribution of the marital wealth in ways that will affect both spouses.
It can also add extra debt to the marriage that both spouses will be responsible for, creating a much more complex divorce situation overall.
DWI, Divorce, And Child Custody
Another part of the divorce process that can be greatly affected when one spouse has an ongoing DWI case or conviction is child custody and parental rights.
A DWI or even just an arrest can severely affect the family court’s impression of you as a responsible parent who can care for a child and make the right decisions regarding their safety and well-being.
Divorce attorneys often find that parents simultaneously dealing with a DWI and a divorce might not get the consideration they had hoped for in terms of custody orders, visitation rights, and other factors involved in the co-parenting of children in a divorce.
Hire An Experienced Divorce Lawyer When DWI Is Involved
The best advice that any Texas divorce lawyer can give to someone with a divorce on the horizon is to monitor your behavior before and during the divorce process in order to receive a good consideration from the court.
If you are arrested for DWI or have a recent conviction, it is essential to choose an experienced divorce attorney who can negotiate this very complex situation to your best advantage.
Every divorce is different and a DWI will definitely complicate the matter; however, an experienced attorney will give you the strongest chance of a more favorable outcome under difficult circumstances.
