Kris King Attorney at Law

1. How do I make an appointment?
Give us a call at 903.757.331 and Kelly or Kem would be happy to set up a consultation appointment for you that is convenient for your schedule. If necessary he can meet with you after hours or on weekends.

Back To Top

2. How much is a consultation?
A 30 minute consultation with Mr. King is generally $40.00 and he accepts cash, check or money orders. In some instances, depending on the case and the time needed for the consultation his fees may be more or less.

Back To Top

3. How much will my case cost?
Kris King offers a very reasonable rate for his services, often less than what most other attorneys charge. He will help you find a cost effective way to a reasonable resolution of your case. It may make more sense to compromise and settle an issue than to go through months of litigation. Mr. King will work with you on a payment schedule. The cost of a divorce will vary depending on the county in which you live due to varying fees per county as well as on whether or not there are children and/or property involved and whether the parties have agreements on some or all matters. An agreed on or uncontested divorce will be much less expensive than a contested divorce. For more information give us a call at 903.757.3331.

Back To Top

4. What is probate?
Probate is the legal process of administering an estate by gathering and transferring property and taking care of debts upon a person's death. If a probate is required (it isn't always) an application to probate must be filed with the Court and if there is a Will to be probated, the Will would be presented to the court to determine its validity and admission to probate. The deceased person's property should then be gathered, required debts paid from the estate, and the property then distributed in accordance with the law and the Will.

Back To Top

5. When is a Will valid and legally effective?
A Will is valid when all of the requirements for creation of a Will in the state where the Will is signed are met. A Will becomes legally effective after a person dies and it is admitted to probate.

Back To Top

6. What is the purpose of preparing a Will?
A Will is a legal document that sets out who will receive a person's property after they die. Beneficiaries may include a spouse, children, grandchildren, a charitable organization, or almost any type of entity or others. In the case of minor children, a Will commonly contains a provision naming a guardian for those children, and often sets up a Trust for them. Almost every adult should have a Will or other means to control the disposition of their assets.

Back To Top

7. What happens if I die without preparing a Will?
If a person dies without a Will, the state's laws set out who gets what property. If there are minor children and both parents die or the surviving parent is unable to provide care, a court will determine who will be named to care for the children. If you have not created a valid Will to state your intentions, your estate may meet with unnecessary and costly legal expenses. Choosing an attorney with experience in estate planning can protect your family from financial and emotional turmoil of contests and other legal problems.

Back To Top

8. What is the process for obtaining a divorce?
Though the legal process of a divorce may seem complicated and confusing, and the details vary from case to case, there is a general course of action for the divorce process. The first step, in any divorce, is that one or both spouses make a decision to terminate the marriage. It is important at this point to consult with a divorce attorney who will help you understand the legal issues, your options, and guide you through the divorce with skill and objectivity. Some of the issues that must be decided upon in a divorce are property division, debt division, and when children are involved, the arrangement of custody, child support and visitation. Spousal support (alimony) may also be addressed in the case of longer term marriages or in other limited circumstances. Once hired, your attorney will draw up a Petition of Divorce which will be filed with the court. A copy of the Petition is then delivered to your spouse. You and your attorney will work together to sift through issues such as property, assets and debts, and children's issues such as child support, visitation, and custody if applicable. Sometimes the couple can resolve these issues through mediation or settlement. In this case a Final Decree of Divorce will be presented to the judge at a final hearing and if approved, the divorce will be granted. In the instance that a couple cannot reach an agreement, the case will go to trial where the Court will decide upon the unresolved issues. T he timing of hearings and trial depend upon the court's docket.

Back To Top

9. How long does the divorce process take?
Yes, with the help of your attorney it is common to reach a reasonable agreement regarding child support. The Court will normally approve agreements as long as they are in the best interest of the child(ren).

Back To Top

9. Who decides who will get custody of our child(ren)?
There is a mandatory 60 day waiting period from the date the Original Petition for Divorce is filed with the Court before a divorce can be finalized. If everything is simple and agreed, it may not take much longer than 60 days. If it is not simple and agreed, a divorce usually takes several months to a year or possibly more to finalize. In general, the more cooperative the parties are, the more efficiently the divorce will go. If an agreement to the terms of the divorce cannot be reached, a trial date must be obtained, the timing of which depends upon the trial court's docket.

Back To Top

10. What is the difference between a contested and an agreed on divorce?
An agreed or uncontested divorce is one in which all issues such as property division, child custody, support, visitation and conservatorship, and spousal support are resolved between the divorcing parties, without requiring hearings or trial. An agreed or uncontested divorce is generally preferable if everything can be resolved in a fair and just manner, especially when there are children involved. A contested divorce is one in which these issues are not be agreed on outside of court hearings or trial. The parties must then preesent testimony and evidence before a a judge or jury who will determine how property will be divided as well as what will happen with any children involved. A contested divorce is more difficult and costly, both emotionally and financially.

Back To Top

11. How much is child support?
Child support guidelines set out in the Family Code are usually followed. The following criteria will be considered: The number of children involved and the income of the parent who is paying child support are by far the most important factors. Any special needs of the child(ren) are also considered.

Back To Top

12. Can we reach our own agreement as to the amount of child support to be paid?
Yes, with the help of your attorney it is not uncommon to reach a reasonable agreement regarding child support. The Court will normally approve agreements as long as they are in the best interest of the child(ren).

Back To Top

13. Who decides who will get custody of our child(ren)?
In divorce proceedings where parents reach an agreement on child custody and visitation out of court, the decision of who will get custody of the child(ren) is usually up to the parents themselves. If parents in a child custody dispute do not reach some form of agreement before going to court, then the custody decision will be made by the court.

Back To Top