Where to File for Divorce in Tarrant County?
All family law matters in Tarrant County should be filed in the Tarrant County Family Courts situated in the Tarrant County Family Law Center.
200 East Weatherford, Fort Worth, Texas 76196
Phone: 817-884-1265
Business Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
đź“‹ The Requirements for Divorce in Tarrant County
Certain residency requirements define the couple’s eligibility to file for divorce in Tarrant County. To start a marriage dissolution case, either spouse must have lived in the county for at least 3 months and be a Texas resident for no less than 6 months before filing a Petition.
đź“Ś Filing for Uncontested Divorce in Tarrant County
Any lawsuit begins with paperwork preparation and filing. First, get to know which documents must be filed in your situation. Obtain the necessary forms and fill them in attentively. Bring the initial package to the court clerk, pay a filing fee, and get the time-stamped copies.
Give the other party one set of document copies and ask them to sign either an Answer or a Waiver of Service within 20 days. This time is included in the state-mandated 60-day waiting period since the day of filing the Petition.
Complete the rest of the paperwork, including the Final Decree of Divorce. In uncontested cases, when spouses cooperate amicably, they may do it together to ensure that there will be no disputable issues after only one party fills in the form. Both spouses must also sign the Decree.
You may wish to enter a settlement agreement to simplify and quicken the process. While it is not mandatory, the Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 11 allows parties to a lawsuit to make written contracts that outline the related terms they have agreed upon. In a divorce case, a couple may present such an agreement to the judge for approval, given it does not violate legal regulations or norms, and entering it into the final order.
When the waiting period ends, agree on the court hearing date with the clerk. Bring the final set of the completed papers to the courthouse on the arranged day and answer the judge’s questions, if any.
Hand in the Final Decree and other possible orders signed by the judge to the clerk. Your divorce is finalized once you get the certified copy.
🗂️ Required Divorce Forms in Tarrant County
The basic set of divorce paperwork in Tarrant County depends on your unique circumstances. The most common forms usually include:
- Original Petition for Divorce (FM-DivB-100)
- Civil Case Information Sheet
- Respondent’s Original Answer (FM-DivB-102) or Respondent’s Waiver of Service Only (FM-DivB-103)
- Information on Suit Affecting the Family Relationship (VS-165)
- Final Decree of Divorce (FM-DivB-201)
Couples with underage children may also need to complete:
- Standard Possession Order (FM-Chil-306)
- Record of Support Order (Form 1828)
- Income Withholding Order for Support (OMB 0970-0154)
Consult your local court clerk to know which forms you should prepare.
đź’ł Tarrant County Divorce Filing Fees
Court costs in Tarrant County depend on your unique situation. For example, a fee for filing a new suit that does not involve kids is $350, while filing a case with children costs $401. Besides, you may need to pay other fees for filing additional motions or requests and for supplemental services like copies, document delivery, mailing, etc.
If you contact the court clerk at the Tarrant County Clerk’s website, you may clarify all the associated costs and discuss the options for a fee waiver if you qualify.
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