Dallas County Divorce Lawyer

Entrance to the George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building at 600 Commerce Street in downtown Dallas, where Dallas County divorce and family cases are filed

By Jill Coil, Founder and Family Law Attorney, State Bar of Texas

Quick answer: Divorces for Dallas County residents are filed with the District Clerk at the George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building, 600 Commerce Street in downtown Dallas, and heard by the county’s family district courts. One spouse must have lived in Texas six months and in Dallas County 90 days before filing. Texas requires a 60-day waiting period before any divorce is final. CoilLaw’s office in the Crescent is about two miles from the courthouse.

If you live in Dallas, Garland, Richardson, Irving, Mesquite, or anywhere else inside the county line, you need a Dallas County divorce lawyer who knows this courthouse and the judges who sit in it. Dallas County runs one of the busiest family dockets in Texas, and the practical difference between a case that moves and a case that stalls often comes down to knowing local procedure. CoilLaw handles divorce, custody, support, and property division for families throughout the county under the Texas Family Code. For the wider metro picture, start at our Dallas divorce lawyer page.

Filing for Divorce in Dallas County

Everything starts with an Original Petition for Divorce filed with the Dallas County District Clerk. A few things are worth knowing before you file:

Where it is filed. Civil and family filings go to the George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building at 600 Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75202. Most filings today are submitted electronically.
Who hears it. Dallas County maintains dedicated family district courts, and your case is assigned to one of them at filing. It stays with that court through final trial.
Residency. One spouse must have been a Texas resident for at least six months and a Dallas County resident for at least 90 days.
The waiting period. No divorce is finalized sooner than 60 days after filing, no matter how completely you agree.
Standing orders. Dallas County applies standing orders in family cases that restrict what either spouse may do with property, money, and the children while the case is open. Violating one is a fast way to lose credibility with your judge.

To talk through a Dallas County filing, call 469-552-5992.

Family Law Services in Dallas County

Contested and uncontested divorce across the county’s family courts.
Child custody and conservatorship, including possession schedules built around real work and school calendars.
Child support calculated under the Texas guidelines, and modified when your circumstances change.
Property and asset division, from a single homestead to retirement accounts, equity compensation, and business interests.
High-net-worth divorce. See our Dallas high-net-worth divorce practice.
Modifications and enforcement of existing Dallas County orders.
Mediation, which Dallas County family courts frequently require before setting a contested final trial.

Cities We Serve in Dallas County

Dallas · Garland · Grand Prairie · Richardson · Carrollton · Sunnyvale · Highland Park

Neighboring counties: Tarrant · Collin · Denton · Rockwall

Why Dallas County Families Choose CoilLaw

CoilLaw has practiced in Dallas since 2022, and family law is the only work we do. Our office at 100 Crescent Court sits in Uptown, a short drive from the courthouse, which matters more than it sounds like it should when a hearing gets moved on short notice.

We are straightforward about what a case can and cannot produce. No lawyer can promise you a result in family court, and you should be wary of one who does. What we offer is preparation, communication you do not have to chase, and advocacy built around your goals and your children.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I file for divorce in Dallas County?

Filings go to the Dallas County District Clerk at the George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building, 600 Commerce Street in downtown Dallas. Most petitions are filed electronically, and your case is assigned to one of the county’s family district courts at that point.

How long do I have to live in Dallas County before I can file?

At least 90 days in the county, and at least six months in Texas. If you have recently moved, we look at both timelines before filing so the case is not challenged on residency grounds.

What are the Dallas County standing orders?

They are automatic orders that take effect in family cases and limit what either spouse can do while the case is pending, including hiding or spending marital assets, changing insurance, and moving the children out of the area. They apply to both parties from the outset.

Does Dallas County require mediation before trial?

In most contested cases, yes. The family courts here routinely order mediation before a final trial setting, and a substantial share of cases resolve there. We prepare for mediation as seriously as we prepare for trial.

What if my spouse lives in a different county?

The case is generally filed where the residency requirements are satisfied, which is often where the petitioner lives. If both spouses meet the requirement in different counties, the first properly filed case usually controls, so timing can matter.

Do I have to appear in court in person?

Not always. Dallas County family courts handle many uncontested prove-ups and short hearings remotely, though contested hearings and trials are typically in person. We tell you in advance which setting applies to you.

Talk to a Dallas County Divorce Lawyer

Call 469-552-5992 or request a consultation online. CoilLaw, 100 Crescent Court, Suite 0429, Dallas, TX 75201.

This page is for general information and is not legal advice. Every case is different. For advice about your specific situation, speak with a licensed Texas attorney.