Where to File for Divorce in Dallas County?
All civil lawsuits, including family law cases, are processed by the Dallas County Family District Courts. Therefore, you should file the papers at the Pearl C. Smith Civil File Desk at the George L. Allen Courts Building.
đź“Ť 600 Commerce Street, Suite 101
Dallas, TX 75202
Phone: (214) 653-7099
Business Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
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The Requirements for Divorce in Dallas County
Before filing for divorce in Dallas County, check your eligibility concerning residency requirements. According to the Texas Family Law, either spouse must have lived in Texas for at least 6 months and in Dallas County for a minimum of 90 days before filing the Original Petition with the court.
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Filing for Uncontested Divorce in Dallas County
An uncontested divorce process in Dallas County is relatively simplified since it does not require prolonged litigations, lawyers’ involvement, and numerous court hearings. Yet, due to the mandatory waiting period, even the most amicable case cannot be finalized sooner than 60 days from filing the Petition.
To get divorced in Dallas County, Texas, you will need to take the following steps:
- Prepare the paperwork required in your specific situation and make at least two copies.
- File the initial set of papers with the local family court. Give the clerk the original set and two sets of copies.
- Pay a filing fee and get two sets of time-stamped copies back.
- Deliver one set of copies to your spouse and ask them to sign an Answer or a Waiver of Service.
- Complete the rest of the required papers, including the Final Decree, and ask your spouse to sign it.
- When the waiting period ends, schedule the final hearing date with the court clerk.
- Bring the remaining paperwork to the final hearing.
- Get the Decree of Divorce signed by the judge and give it to the clerk to receive its certified copy.
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Required Divorce Forms in Dallas County
Generally, a specific family situation and unique circumstances dictate the number and type of papers required to file a divorce in Dallas County. The most common forms used in uncontested cases usually include:
- Original Petition for Divorce (FM-DivB-100) (different versions exist for divorce with and without children);
- Civil Case Information Sheet;
- Respondent’s Original Answer (FM-DivB-102) (needed if the other spouse wants to respond to the Petition and have a say in the process);
- Respondent’s Waiver of Service Only (FM-DivB-103) (needed if the other spouse does not want to be formally served with the papers);
- Information on Suit Affecting the Family Relationship (VS-165)
- Final Decree of Divorce (FM-DivB-201)
- Standard Possession Order (FM-Chil-306) (if you have children and if the standard possession schedule suits your situation);
- Record of Support Order (Form 1828) (only for cases with children);
- Income Withholding Order for Support (OMB 0970-0154) (only if child support will be ordered).
Contact the Dallas County court clerk to clarify the required forms in your specific situation.
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Dallas County Divorce Filing Fees
Dallas County divorce filing fees depend on the unique circumstances of each separate family. Firstly, the cost of filing for divorce with children is $401, while cases without minors require the petitioner to pay $350. Besides, filing additional motions or requests would increase the total cost.
Please contact the Office of the County Clerk for Dallas County website to clarify all the expected expenses, including filing fees and the cost of additional services. You may also discuss the possibility of waiving the fees and figure out if you qualify for it.
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