Divorce can be incredibly difficult and stressful. You deserve compassionate support from an experienced divorce attorney who will protect your best interests.
No one gets married with the plan to divorce later. Divorce, however, is a relatively common occurrence, with 50% of couples calling it quits. Whether you have a straightforward, uncomplicated divorce, or there are substantial assets and children involved, working with a divorce attorney can be vital in ensuring that you can move on to the next phase of your life as smoothly as possible.
At The Blacknall Firm, we are an experienced team of legal professionals dedicated to protecting your rights and preserving your future. Contact us today at (214) 678-9111 to schedule a consultation.
Why Work with a Dallas 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 uncontested, 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 Dallas 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 a clear winner or loser. Many divorce lawyers prefer to resolve issues before going to court, transitioning the status of divorce from contested to uncontested. 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 Dallas County
Before you can file for divorce in Dallas 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 Dallas 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 Dallas 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 Dallas County family court system. Here, we address the most common questions we get at our law firm.
What cities are in Dallas County?
Dallas County ranks second in population among all Texas counties, with a population of over 2.6 million people.
There are several large and small cities in Dallas County, and if you live in one of these cities, the Dallas County court will facilitate your divorce.
The list of cities (in alphabetical order) includes:
| Addison | Ferris | Ovilla |
| Balch Springs | Garland | Richardson |
| Carrollton | Glenn Heights | Rowlett |
| Cedar Hill | Grand Prairie | Sachse |
| Cockrell Hill | Grapevine | Seagoville |
| Combine | Highland Park | Sunnyvale |
| Coppell | Hutchins | University Park |
| Dallas | Irving | Wilmer |
| DeSoto | Lancaster | Wylie |
| Duncanville | Lewisville | |
| Farmers Branch | Mesquite |
Where is the parking for the family court?
There are numerous parking lots, underground parking, and parking meters surrounding the George Allen Courts Building.
The parking lots cost generally starts at $10.
Most of the meters use a mobile app called Park Mobile. The app is pretty cool because if you go over the time you paid for you can add more time from the app without going back to your car.
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 sometime the lines are long. So, make sure that you get downtown 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?
Dallas County has 32 judicial districts, each with a presiding judge. Within these districts, there are seven family districts. Each district also has an associate judge, a bailiff, a court coordinator, a court reporter, and a chief clerk.
What floors are the family courts on?
Dallas county family courts are located on the 3rd and 4th floor of the George Allen Court Building located at 600 commerce street, Dallas, 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 Dallas County courts.
What is the difference between a district judge and an associate 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 associate judge on the other hand is not -elected and is instead hired by the district judges.
If you have a court date in a Dallas County family court make sure to check whether you are supposed to be in the district judges court or the associate judges court. The court number will be the same, but the court room will be labe
Speak to an Experienced Divorce Lawyer in Dallas 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.