If you live in Carrollton and need a divorce lawyer, your case will most often run through Dallas County, since the largest share of Carrollton sits within that county. Carrollton actually straddles three counties (Dallas, Denton, and Collin), so the first step is confirming which county your home address falls in. For the Dallas County portion, you file at the George L. Allen Sr. Courts Building at 600 Commerce Street, Suite 103, in downtown Dallas, roughly 18 miles southeast of central Carrollton. A Carrollton divorce lawyer handles drafting, filing, service, and negotiation so the procedural details below are managed for you.
Key Facts: Filing for Divorce in Carrollton (Dallas County)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| County | Dallas County (most of Carrollton; parts in Denton & Collin) |
| Filing court | Dallas County District Clerk, Family District Courts |
| Court address | George L. Allen Sr. Courts Building, 600 Commerce St., Ste. 103, Dallas, TX 75202 |
| Filing fee | $350 (no children) / $401 (with children) |
| Residency requirement | 6 months in Texas + 90 days in the county (§ 6.301) |
| Waiting period | 60-day minimum from filing (§ 6.702) |
| Property model | Community property, divided "just and right" (§ 7.001) |
How do I file for divorce in Carrollton, Texas?
To file for divorce in Carrollton, one spouse files an Original Petition for Divorce with the Dallas County District Clerk and pays $350 (no children) or $401 (with children) as of June 2026. Dallas County requires electronic filing through the Texas eFile system, so most Carrollton residents file online rather than in person.
After the petition is filed, the other spouse must be formally served, unless they sign a Waiver of Service. The clerk stamps your copies, you serve your spouse, and the 60-day clock starts. Many Carrollton couples with an agreement use a Waiver of Service to keep the process simple. If you and your spouse agree on property, debts, and any children's arrangements, the case proceeds as an uncontested divorce, which moves faster and costs less than a contested one.
Where do I file for divorce in Carrollton? (which courthouse)
Carrollton residents in the Dallas County portion file at the George L. Allen Sr. Courts Building, 600 Commerce Street, Suite 103, Dallas, TX 75202. The Family District Courts that hear divorce cases sit in the same building. The District Clerk's office is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and the main line is (214) 653-7307.
Because Carrollton spans three counties, confirm your county before filing. If your home is in the Denton County or Collin County portion of Carrollton, you file with that county's district clerk instead, not Dallas County. Filing in the wrong county can stall your case, since Texas requires you to file where you have lived for at least 90 days. The Dallas County District Clerk accepts cash, check, money order, Visa, and Mastercard at the file desk.
How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Carrollton?
A Carrollton divorce lawyer generally bills $200-$400 per hour, with most charging a retainer of $2,500-$5,000 to start. An uncontested, agreed divorce in the Dallas area often totals $1,500-$3,500 in attorney fees, while a contested case with disputes over property or children commonly runs $7,000-$15,000 or more, separate from the $350-$401 court filing fee.
The biggest cost driver is conflict. Every disputed issue, including who keeps the house, how retirement accounts split, and a possession schedule for the children, adds attorney hours. Flat-fee packages are common for simple agreed divorces, while contested matters are usually hourly. To estimate your likely total, the Divorce Cost Estimator factors in contested status, children, and asset complexity. If you cannot afford the filing fee, you may file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs, and a judge decides whether to waive it.
How long does a divorce take in Carrollton?
A Carrollton divorce takes a minimum of 61 days, because Texas Family Code § 6.702 requires a 60-day waiting period after the petition is filed before a judge can finalize the decree. In practice, an uncontested Dallas County divorce usually finalizes in 60-90 days, while contested cases frequently take 6-12 months or longer.
The 60-day clock starts the day you file, not the day your spouse is served. Simple agreed cases with a signed waiver and a complete decree can finalize right after day 60. Contested cases take far longer because of discovery, temporary orders hearings, mediation, and crowded family-court dockets. Mediation, which Dallas County family courts often require before trial, resolves most disputes and shortens the timeline considerably.
What are the residency requirements to file in Dallas County?
Under Texas Family Code § 6.301, to file in Dallas County at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for the preceding 6-month period and been a resident of the county for the preceding 90 days. Either the petitioner or the respondent can satisfy both thresholds, so a recently relocated spouse can still file if the other meets them.
These are jurisdictional requirements, not formalities. If neither spouse meets both the 6-month state and 90-day county tests, the court lacks authority and may dismiss the case. For Carrollton residents, this is why pinning down your county matters: the 90-day clock runs in the specific county where you file. If your spouse lives outside Texas, § 6.302 lets you file in the county where you reside if you meet the residency rules.
How is property divided in a Carrollton divorce?
Texas is a community property state, and under Texas Family Code § 7.001 a Dallas County judge divides the marital estate in a manner that is "just and right." That is not automatically 50/50. Courts can order disproportionate splits of 55%, 60%, or more to one spouse based on fault, earning capacity, health, and the needs of the children.
Property acquired during the marriage is generally community property and subject to division. Separate property, meaning assets owned before marriage or received by gift or inheritance, stays with the owning spouse if properly traced. Retirement accounts and pensions earned during marriage are typically split, often using a Qualified Domestic Relations Order. To estimate a division scenario for your assets, the Property Division Tool can help you think through community versus separate property.
How does child custody work in Carrollton?
Texas uses the term conservatorship rather than custody, and under Texas Family Code § 153.131 there is a rebuttable presumption that parents will be named joint managing conservators. Joint managing conservatorship is ordered in roughly 90% of Texas cases, with both parents sharing rights and duties even when one parent holds the exclusive right to set the child's primary residence.
A court can name one parent sole managing conservator if joint conservatorship would significantly impair the child's health or emotional development, such as where there is a history of family violence, abuse, or substance abuse. Child support in Texas follows statutory guideline percentages of the paying parent's net resources. To estimate a likely amount, the Child Support Calculator applies Texas guideline figures. The standard for every custody and support decision is the best interest of the child.
FAQs
These answers reflect Dallas County practice and Texas law as of June 2026. Verify current fees with the Dallas County District Clerk before filing, and confirm your county of residence within Carrollton first.
Frequently Asked Questions
See the FAQ entries below for quick answers on fees, timelines, and filing logistics specific to Carrollton and Dallas County.