Why Southlake Families Choose Varghese Summersett for Divorce
Varghese Summersett has become Southlake’s trusted divorce law firm by combining highly sought-after legal talent with genuine community roots. Our Southlake office, located at 3120 Sabre Dr., Suite 110, serves families throughout Northeast Tarrant County who need skilled representation in high-stakes divorce and custody matters. We’ve been honored as a Southlake Style Readers’ Choice “Top Law Firm” multiple years running, a recognition that comes directly from the residents our Southlake divorce attorney serves.
Divorce in Southlake often involves complex financial situations. Executive compensation packages, business ownership interests, investment portfolios, and substantial real estate holdings require attorneys who understand both family law and financial intricacies. Our team handles these sophisticated cases daily, giving Southlake families confidence that their interests are protected.
What Makes Divorce in Southlake Different
Southlake is not your average Texas suburb. The median household income ranks among the highest in the state, and many residents are business owners, executives, physicians, and professionals with complicated financial pictures. This creates unique challenges in divorce proceedings that require specialized knowledge.
Texas is a community property state, meaning assets acquired during marriage are generally divided equally. But “equal” doesn’t mean “simple.” When a spouse owns a business, holds unvested stock options, or has deferred compensation, determining what’s actually community property requires forensic accounting and valuation expertise. Our attorneys work with financial experts to ensure nothing is overlooked or undervalued.
Privacy matters deeply in communities like Southlake. Many of our clients know their neighbors, serve on school boards, coach youth sports, and participate in local organizations. The last thing they want is their personal matters becoming public knowledge or courthouse gossip. We structure our approach to protect your reputation while fighting for your interests.
Collaborative Divorce: A Private Path Forward
For Southlake couples who want to end their marriage without a courtroom battle, collaborative divorce offers a powerful alternative. This process keeps your family’s private matters out of the public court record while allowing both spouses to reach fair agreements on property division, custody, and support.
In collaborative divorce, both spouses hire specially trained attorneys and commit to resolving all issues through negotiation rather than litigation. If the process breaks down, both attorneys must withdraw, giving everyone a strong incentive to work toward solutions. Our Southlake attorneys include certified collaborative law practitioners who have helped dozens of local families transition through divorce with dignity intact.
Collaborative divorce works especially well when children are involved. Parents who will be co-parenting for years to come benefit from a process designed to preserve respect and communication. Rather than treating each other as adversaries, collaborative divorce treats you as partners solving a problem together.
The process typically takes three to six months and costs significantly less than a contested divorce. For Southlake families who value privacy, efficiency, and preserving relationships, it’s often the best path forward.
High-Net-Worth Divorce in Southlake
When substantial assets are at stake, you need attorneys who understand complex property division. Our team has handled divorces involving business valuations in the millions, intricate stock option calculations, and multi-property real estate portfolios across Texas and beyond.
Business Valuation and Division
Many Southlake residents own businesses or hold significant ownership stakes in companies. Texas law considers a business started during marriage to be community property, but determining its value requires expertise. Is the business worth its book value? Its market value? What about goodwill? Our attorneys work with certified business valuators to answer these questions and protect your interests.
In a recent case, we represented a Southlake business owner whose spouse claimed the company was worth $4 million. After our forensic analysis revealed accounting irregularities and market conditions that reduced the realistic value, we negotiated a settlement based on $2.1 million, saving our client nearly $1 million in the property division.
Executive Compensation Packages
Stock options, restricted stock units, deferred compensation, and retirement benefits create complicated division questions. Which portions are community property? How do you value unvested options? Can you transfer retirement funds without tax penalties?
Our attorneys have extensive experience with executive compensation in divorce. We understand the vesting schedules, tax implications, and transfer rules that govern these assets. This knowledge prevents costly mistakes that could affect your financial security for years.
Real Estate Portfolios
Southlake families often own multiple properties, including primary residences, vacation homes, and investment real estate. Each property requires proper valuation and strategic consideration about whether to sell, buy out a spouse’s interest, or retain for investment purposes.
Texas homestead laws add another layer of complexity. The family home receives special protection under Texas law, and decisions about the marital residence affect not just the divorce but potentially your property taxes and legal protections going forward.
Child Custody for Southlake Families
When children are involved, custody decisions become the most important part of any divorce. Texas courts use the “best interest of the child” standard, considering factors like each parent’s relationship with the children, stability of proposed living arrangements, and the children’s own preferences if they’re old enough to express them.
Southlake families often have specific concerns about maintaining their children’s stability. Your kids attend excellent schools in Carroll ISD, participate in competitive sports and activities, and have established friendships in the community. Our attorneys understand how to structure custody arrangements that protect these important parts of your children’s lives.
Standard Possession Orders vs. Custom Schedules
Texas has a Standard Possession Order that serves as the default custody schedule. But Southlake families often need something different. Maybe both parents work demanding jobs with unpredictable schedules. Perhaps one parent travels frequently. Or you simply want more equal time than the standard order provides.
Our attorneys craft custom possession schedules that fit your family’s actual life. We’ve created arrangements that account for travel schedules, accommodate children’s extracurricular commitments, and maximize both parents’ meaningful time with their kids.
Child Support Calculations
Texas uses a formula to calculate child support based on the paying parent’s net resources. For one child, it’s 20% of net resources up to a statutory cap. But when incomes exceed the cap (currently around $9,200 monthly net), courts have discretion to order additional support based on the child’s proven needs.
In high-income Southlake families, this “above guidelines” support can become a significant issue. Private school tuition, travel sports, tutoring, and enrichment activities all factor into what children actually need. Our attorneys know how to present evidence of your children’s lifestyle and needs to ensure support orders reflect reality.
The Divorce Process in Tarrant County
Understanding the timeline and procedures helps reduce anxiety during an already stressful time. Here’s what to expect when filing for divorce in Tarrant County.
Texas requires a 60-day waiting period from the date a divorce petition is filed until the divorce can be finalized. This waiting period gives couples time to reconcile if they choose, but it also means even an uncontested divorce takes at least two months.
Most contested divorces in Tarrant County take six months to a year to resolve. Cases involving complex property division or custody disputes can take longer. Throughout the process, temporary orders may establish who lives where, how bills get paid, and how parenting time is divided while the divorce is pending.
Our attorneys have appeared before every family court judge in Tarrant County. This experience gives us insight into each judge’s preferences, procedures, and tendencies. We know which arguments resonate with specific judges and how to present your case most effectively in their courtroom.
Protecting Your Interests from Day One
The decisions you make early in a divorce affect everything that follows. Before filing or responding to a divorce petition, take these steps to protect yourself.
Gather financial documents including tax returns, bank statements, investment accounts, retirement statements, and business records. Texas law requires both spouses to disclose their finances, but having your own copies ensures nothing gets “lost” or overlooked.
Understand your household’s finances. Many spouses handle different aspects of the family’s money, and one spouse may have limited knowledge of the complete picture. Before separating, learn about all accounts, debts, and financial obligations.
Avoid making major financial changes. Large purchases, account closures, or asset transfers after separation create problems in divorce. Courts look unfavorably on spouses who dissipate assets or hide money, and such actions can affect the final property division.
Consider your children’s stability. If possible, keep their routines consistent while you and your spouse work through the divorce process. Courts notice which parent prioritizes the children’s wellbeing.
Why Our Community Involvement Matters
Some law firms view Southlake as just another market to serve. We see it as our community. The difference shows in how we approach our work and our relationships.
Our team actively supports Carroll ISD and attends Dragon events throughout the year. We’re proud members of the Southlake Chamber of Commerce, and our grand opening celebration brought together local business leaders and community members. We sponsor and attend cultural events that make Southlake special, including the Southlake Indian Festival and other celebrations that bring our diverse community together.
This involvement isn’t marketing. It’s who we are. When you hire a Southlake divorce attorney from Varghese Summersett, you’re hiring neighbors who care about this community’s families. We see our clients at school events, in local restaurants, and at community gatherings. That visibility keeps us accountable and reminds us daily why our work matters.
Being named a Southlake Style Readers’ Choice “Top Law Firm” multiple years reflects this relationship. The award comes from Southlake residents who’ve experienced our work firsthand or know others who have. It’s the kind of recognition you can only earn by consistently delivering results for local families.
A Firm Built for Complex Cases
Varghese Summersett has been named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing American companies three times. We’ve received the Richard L. Knight Rotary Minority Business Award for our ethical leadership. D Magazine and Fort Worth Magazine have recognized us as “Best Law Firm” and “Best Place to Work.”
These honors reflect our professional approach to running a law firm. With over 70 team members across our Texas offices, we have the resources to handle complex litigation while providing personal attention to every client. Our growth comes from results and referrals, not advertising gimmicks.
For Southlake families facing divorce, our track record matters. You’re trusting us with your financial security, your relationship with your children, and your future. We take that responsibility seriously.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a divorce take in Texas?
Texas requires a minimum 60-day waiting period from filing to finalization. Uncontested divorces where spouses agree on everything can be completed shortly after this period. Contested divorces typically take six months to over a year, depending on the complexity of property division and custody issues.
How is property divided in a Texas divorce?
Texas is a community property state, meaning assets acquired during marriage are generally divided equally. However, “equal” requires accurate valuation of all assets, including businesses, retirement accounts, and real estate. Separate property (owned before marriage or received as gifts/inheritance) remains with the original owner.
Can I keep my divorce private in Southlake?
Collaborative divorce offers the most privacy because most matters are resolved outside the courtroom. For litigated divorces, certain records can be sealed, but court proceedings are generally public. Our attorneys help clients understand their privacy options and structure their cases accordingly.
How is child custody decided in Texas?
Texas courts decide custody based on the “best interest of the child,” considering each parent’s relationship with the children, living situations, work schedules, and the children’s preferences if they’re mature enough. Parents can also agree on custody arrangements, which courts typically approve if they serve the children’s interests.
What’s the difference between collaborative divorce and mediation?
In mediation, a neutral third party helps spouses negotiate, but each spouse may or may not have their own attorney. In collaborative divorce, both spouses have trained collaborative attorneys, and often work with neutral financial specialists and family counselors. Collaborative divorce provides more comprehensive support and professional guidance throughout the process.
Talk to a Southlake Divorce Attorney Today
Divorce is one of life’s most stressful experiences. The uncertainty about your finances, your children, and your future can feel overwhelming. You don’t have to face it alone.
At Varghese Summersett, we’ve helped hundreds of Southlake families through divorce. We understand the unique concerns that come with high-net-worth cases, complex custody situations, and the need for privacy in a close-knit community. Our attorneys combine legal skill with genuine compassion for what you’re going through.
Whether you’re considering divorce, have just been served with papers, or need to modify an existing order, we’re here to help. Contact our Southlake office at (817) 900-3220 to schedule a confidential consultation. We’ll listen to your situation, explain your options, and help you understand what to expect. There’s no obligation, and everything you share is protected by attorney-client privilege.
Your family’s future is too important to trust to just any attorney. Choose the firm Southlake residents have voted their top choice year after year. Choose Varghese Summersett.
