Where to File for Divorce in Bell County, Texas?
In Bell County, family law matters are filed at the county’s central courthouse. This includes cases involving divorce, child custody and support, domestic abuse, and other legal issues affecting families.
Address: 1201 Huey Road, Belton, TX 76513
Phone: (254) 933-5197
Business Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where to File: File your divorce petition with the District Clerk’s Office located on the first floor of the Bell County Justice Center.
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The Requirements for Divorce in Bell County
DivorceCanBeSimple knows how confusing divorce can be in Bell County. That’s why we created a simple guide to explain the rules. To file for divorce in Bell County, you must meet Texas residency requirements under Texas Family Code § 6.301. At least one spouse must have lived in Bell County for 90 days and in Texas for six months before filing. Once this is done, you can submit your divorce petition to the Bell County court.
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Filing for an Uncontested Divorce in Bell County
If your divorce is uncontested in Bell County, you can finish the process faster since both spouses agree on all terms. Here’s how to file for an uncontested divorce in Bell county, Texas:
- Find out which forms you need and read the court rules for your county.
- Fill out the Original Petition for Divorce and give it to the district court clerk.
- Pay the filing fee, unless you asked for a fee waiver. Make sure the clerk stamps your copies.
- Give your spouse copies of the papers. They must file either an Answer or a Waiver of Service.
- Wait 60 days after filing your Petition. This waiting time is required by Texas law.
- While waiting, fill out the rest of the forms you need to finish the divorce.
- Give your spouse the Final Decree of Divorce. If they agree, they sign it.
- After the waiting period, ask the court clerk to set a date for your final hearing.
- Go to the hearing with all your papers. Answer the judge’s questions.
- After the judge signs the Final Decree, give it to the clerk. Ask for a certified copy to keep.
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Required Divorce Forms in Bell County
Before filing for divorce, it’s important to know which forms you may need. For an uncontested divorce in Bell County, the typical forms include:
- Original Petition for Divorce – This is the main form that starts your divorce case. You file it with the District Clerk’s office in Bell County. It tells the court that you are requesting a divorce and outlines any requests for property division, child custody, or support.
- Civil Case Information Sheet – Bell County requires basic case information, such as names of the parties, type of case, and whether children are involved. You file this along with your petition.
- Citation or Waiver of Service – The Citation officially notifies your spouse of the divorce. If your spouse agrees to accept service without formal delivery, they can sign a Waiver of Citation. This avoids having a process server deliver the papers.
- Waiver of Service of Citation (if applicable) – If your spouse signs this form, it confirms they received notice and agree not to require formal service. File it with the clerk.
- Final Decree of Divorce – This is the document that officially ends your marriage. If both parties agree, you fill it out, present it to the judge at your final hearing, and then file the signed decree with the clerk to make it official.
- Child Support / Parenting Plan Forms (if applicable) – If you have minor children, Texas law requires forms to establish child custody, visitation, and child support. Common forms include:
- Child Support Worksheet (CS-142) – Used to calculate support amounts.
- Parenting Plan – Details custody and visitation agreements.
- Affidavit of Indigence (if applicable) – If you cannot afford court fees, you may file this to request a fee waiver.
Let DivorceCanBeSimple guide you step by step so filing your divorce is simple and stress-free.
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Bell County Divorce Filing Fees
In Bell County, Texas, the filing fee for a divorce petition is $350. If you cannot afford this fee, you may apply for a fee waiver by submitting the “Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs or an Appeal Bond.” This form assesses your financial situation to determine if you qualify for indigent status. If approved, you may be eligible for a waiver or reduction of court fees. If your application is denied, you have the right to request a judge’s review of the decision.
For more information or to download the necessary forms, visit the Bell County District Clerk’s official website at www.bellcountytx.com.
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