Arlington Divorce Attorneys
Arlington Divorce Lawyers
Board Certified Family Law Representation for Every Stage of Your Divorce
Divorce touches every part of your life at once. Property built over years of marriage, time with your children, financial stability, and daily routine all hang in the balance while the legal process moves forward on its own timeline. At Jackson, Landrith & Kulesz, we handle all types of divorce for clients in Arlington, Texas and throughout the DFW area: uncontested, contested, high-asset, and same-sex cases. We’ve been serving Tarrant County families for over 60 years, and we communicate in five languages to serve Arlington’s diverse community.
Having experienced legal counsel from the outset can help protect your rights at every stage. Property gets divided once. Conservatorship arrangements shape your children’s lives for years. Decisions made early in the process are difficult to undo, which is why clear, frequent communication from your attorney isn’t a courtesy. It’s a necessity.
Schedule a confidential consultation with an Arlington divorce attorney. Call us at (817) 587-6452 or reach us through our online form. Hablamos español.
Key Issues in a Texas Divorce
We have attorneys Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a credential held by fewer than 1% of Texas lawyers. That depth of knowledge applies directly to the issues that determine your financial future and your family’s stability.
The primary issues that must be addressed in a Texas divorce include:
- Property division: Texas is a community property state, meaning most assets and debts acquired during the marriage must be divided in a just and right manner. Questions about separate property are common in these cases. Division isn’t always 50/50. Courts weigh each party’s contributions to the marriage and financial needs.
- Child custody: Texas uses the terms conservatorship and possession rather than custody. Decisions must be made regarding conservatorship arrangements, visitation schedules, and parental rights. All are guided by the child’s best interests.
- Child support: Texas law requires the non-custodial parent to contribute to the child’s financial needs. Support amounts are set by state guidelines that factor in income and family circumstances.
- Spousal support: Spousal support may be awarded in situations such as long-term marriages or when one spouse lacks sufficient income or resources. Eligibility, amount, and duration depend on statutory factors, including marriage length and financial disparity.
Fault vs. No-Fault: Texas Divorce Grounds
Texas allows divorces to be filed on no-fault or fault-based grounds. A no-fault divorce is based on insupportability, meaning the marriage has broken down due to conflict or discord with no reasonable expectation of reconciliation. It’s the most common ground used in Texas.
Fault-based grounds include adultery, cruelty, felony conviction with imprisonment for at least one year, and abandonment for at least one year. Proving fault isn’t just about assigning blame. It can directly affect how the marital estate is divided under the Texas Family Code and whether spousal support is awarded.
Uncontested Divorce
An uncontested divorce occurs when both spouses agree on all major issues: property division, conservatorship and possession, and support. It’s generally faster and less costly than a contested case, and it gives both parties more control over the outcome than leaving those decisions to a judge.
One common point of confusion: uncontested and no-fault aren’t the same thing. No-fault refers only to the grounds for divorce. Uncontested means the parties have resolved all disputed issues, regardless of how the grounds are pled.
Contested Divorce
A contested divorce arises when spouses can’t agree on one or more terms. Resolving those disputes may require negotiation, mediation, or court intervention. Contested divorces involve more time, expense, and emotional strain. This makes experienced legal representation critical from the first filing forward.
Choosing a Divorce Attorney in Arlington
The attorney you choose for your Arlington divorce can influence not just the outcome, but how well you understand and navigate the process along the way. Look for someone who knows Texas family law inside and out, is familiar with local venues like the Tarrant County Family Law Center, and can handle your case whether it resolves through negotiation or ends up in front of a judge.
Our attorneys are recognized by Super Lawyers and hold an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, a high peer-review designation. Peer attorneys refer complex cases to our firm. Our Board Certification in Family Law means we meet the Texas Board of Legal Specialization’s standards for demonstrated competence, substantial involvement, and continuing education in family law.
When evaluating a divorce attorney in Arlington, consider these factors:
- Board Certification in Family Law: Fewer than 1% of Texas attorneys hold this credential. It signals proven depth in exactly the issues your divorce will involve.
- Tarrant County court familiarity: Attorneys who regularly appear in local courts understand standing orders, judicial preferences, and procedural expectations specific to those venues.
- Full-service representation: From mediation and collaborative law to full trial representation, your attorney should be equipped to handle your case however it develops.
- Clear communication: Look for a firm that keeps you informed at every step and answers your questions directly.
We serve clients throughout Arlington and Tarrant County in English, Spanish, and three additional languages, so language doesn’t have to be a barrier to understanding your own case.
Why Clients Choose Us
The Right Legal Team Makes All the Difference
-
Client-Focused and Responsive Representation
At Jackson, Landrith & Kulesz, PC, we prioritize clear and consistent communication. Our attorneys are committed to promptly returning calls and emails, keeping you informed at every step of your case.
-
Experienced Legal Advocacy Across Multiple Practice AreasWith 60+ years of experience, we provide top-tier representation in immigration, family law, personal injury, real estate, estate planning, and business law.
-
A Dedicated Team Ready to Fight for YouWhen legal issues arise, you need a team that acts fast. Our team gets to work immediately, using our expertise to protect your best interests and pursue the best possible outcome.
-
A Proven Track Record of Success
Our firm’s long history of service to Texans speaks for itself. Clients trust us for dedicated advocacy, personalized service, and strong results—time and time again.
The Divorce Process in Arlington, Texas
Texas imposes a mandatory 60-day waiting period after the petition is filed, meaning the earliest a divorce can be finalized is 61 days after filing. Most cases take two months to over a year, depending on whether the divorce is contested and how complex the issues are. Before filing, at least one spouse must have been a Texas resident for six months and a resident of the filing county for 90 days.
The divorce process typically includes the following steps:
- Filing the petition: One spouse files a divorce petition in the appropriate district court for Arlington or Tarrant County.
- Serving legal notice: After filing, the other spouse must be formally served unless they sign a notarized waiver. The waiver can’t be signed until at least one day after filing.
- Waiting period: A 60-day minimum waiting period after filing.
- Temporary orders: The court may issue temporary orders covering conservatorship, support, housing, or finances to remain in place until the divorce is final.
- Discovery and negotiation: Both parties collect and exchange relevant information, attempt mediation, and negotiate settlement terms.
- Final hearing or trial: If spouses can’t fully agree, disputed issues proceed to a final hearing or trial, resulting in a final decree of divorce.
In contested cases, the timeline extends as both sides gather evidence, conduct discovery, and work toward resolution before a judge intervenes. Temporary orders covering custody, support, debt payments, and residency can provide stability while the case moves forward. We assist clients with document preparation, deadlines, and representation in Tarrant County family courts at every stage.
Arlington Divorce Attorneys Committed to Your Best Interests
At Jackson, Landrith & Kulesz, we stand by our clients from the first filing through the final decree. We pursue mediation and collaborative law where those approaches serve our clients’ interests, and we bring full trial capability when the case demands it. Our attorneys are Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, recognized by Super Lawyers, and hold an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. With over 60 years of experience serving Arlington and Tarrant County and the ability to communicate with clients in five languages, we work to protect your rights and your family’s future at every stage of the process.
Call (817) 587-6452 or use our online contact form to schedule a consultation with an Arlington divorce attorney today.