Initiating a divorce in Collin County involves a few critical steps. Before anything else, you must confirm if you’re eligible to file here. Once eligibility is established, the next steps include preparing the divorce petition, paying the associated filing fee, and serving the documents to your spouse. At The Blacknall Firm, we’re here to help you navigate each of these steps with clarity and confidence.
Why Work with a Collin County Divorce Lawyer?
When one or both partners decide it’s time to dissolve a marriage, the first step is to file a divorce petition. In the case of an uncontested divorce, you and your spouse completely agree with the terms of the divorce, specifically how property will be divided, whether a spouse is owed support, and how child custody will be arranged.
While the overwhelming majority of divorces are agreed, they usually don’t start that way. It’s natural to feel shocked, dismay, and betrayal when being confronted with the aspect of a divorce and starting over. Often, the financial and power dynamics are unbalanced, requiring an attorney to help advocate for your rights.
The most compelling reason to hire a divorce lawyer is to protect your interests and help leave emotions and rash decisions out of the equation.
Your Collin County divorce lawyer can help you navigate the myriad of issues that arise during the dissolution of a marriage, including:
Asset and debt division:
Determining who gets what when one life becomes two can be fraught with conflict, especially if one spouse attempts to hide assets.
Child custody and support:
The children’s best interests should always be the primary concern, but parents often disagree on the outcome.
High net worth divorces:
Large estates are complicated, and we can work with forensic accountants and business valuation experts to seek an equitable resolution.
Modifications:
It’s not unusual for divorced spouses to seek a change to the agreement as circumstances change.
Business ownership:
If one or both spouses own a business, it can cause complications if the company has to be liquidated or another compromise will be reached.
Appeals:
If the court judgment issued is unfair or there was a mistake in how the law was applied, you can appeal the decision. We do not offer that service, but can refer you to someone who does.
When the divorce is contested, it goes to court, and a judge will issue a decree that finalizes the terms of the divorce.
In situations like these, there is often not a clear winner or loser.
Many divorce lawyers prefer to resolve issues before going to court, transitioning the status of divorce from contested to agreed. This can be accomplished with forms of alternative dispute resolution, collaborative law, or finding common ground between opposing attorneys.
What to Know About Filing for Divorce in Collin County
Before you can file for divorce in Collin County, you must be eligible. The eligibility requirements apply to either spouse, meaning only one of you has to fulfill the requirements.
The requirements are:
Be a resident of Collin County for at least 90 days Be a resident of Texas for no less than six months
If either you or your spouse does not meet these two requirements, your divorce will have to be filed in the county or state where you have legal residence.
Frequently Asked Questions about Collin County Family Court
Divorce is not something that couples do every day, so it’s normal to have logistical questions about how divorce works in the Collin County family court system. Here, we address the most common questions we get at our law firm.
Court Address:
2100 Bloomdale Rd, McKinney, TX 75071
Court Phone Number:
(972) 548-4100
Court Website:
Collin County District Courts Website
What cities are in Collin County?
Collin County is the sixth-largest county in Texas, with a population of over 1 million people. There are several large and small cities in Collin County, and if you live in one of these cities, the Collin County court will facilitate your divorce.
The list of cities (in alphabetical order) includes:
| Cities | Cities | Cities |
|---|---|---|
| Allen | Celina | Frisco |
| Anna | Fairview | Josephine |
| Blue Ridge | Farmersville | Lavon |
| Carrollton | Garland | Lowry Crossing |
| Dallas | Lucas | McKinney |
| Fairview | Melissa | Murphy |
| Farmersville | Murphy | Nevada |
| Frisco | Parker | Plano |
| Celina | Princeton | Prosper |
| The Colony | Richardson | Sachse |
| Wylie | Weston | Royse City |
Where is the parking for the family court?
There is one large parking lot directly in front of the courthouse. The parking is free.
Security at the court
You will have to go through security.
Do not bring any illegally substances, contraband, or items that can be considered weapons including nail files.
Please note that sometimes the lines are long. So, make sure that you get to court early enough to park, go through security, and get to your assigned court on time. Being late will get you off to a bad start with the judge.
How many family court judges are there?
Collin County has 13 judicial district courts. There is also 1 Magistrate court. Each court has a bailiff, a court coordinator, a court reporter, and a chief clerk.
What floors are the family courts on?
Collin County family courts are located on the 3rd and 4th floor of the Collin County Courthouse located at 2100 Bloomdale Road, McKinney, Texas.
If you are concerned about where to go before you physically arrive in court, this page has helpful general information and contact details about Collin County courts
What is the difference between a district judge and a magistrate judge?
There are different types of judges, which can get confusing for people unfamiliar with the court system. To simplify, district judges are elected officials, and they must run for office to secure their position as a judge.
The magistrate judge, on the other hand, is not elected and is instead hired by the district judges.
If you have a court date in a Collin County family court, make sure to check whether you are supposed to be in the district judges’ court or the magistrate judges’ court.
Speak to an Experienced Divorce Lawyer in Collin County
We understand how difficult divorce can be, and the compassionate team at The Blacknall Firm is here to support you during this transition. If you want someone who will stand up for your rights and protect your interests, contact us at (214) 678-9111 to schedule a consultation.