Board Certified in Family Law
Arlington Divorce Lawyer: Tarrant County Custody and Enforcement
Arlington sits between Dallas and Fort Worth, but its family cases belong to Tarrant County. Many people here work in one county and go to court in another.
Your Case Goes to Fort Worth
Arlington family cases are heard at the Tarrant County Family Law Center, 200 East Weatherford Street in downtown Fort Worth. Six courts sit there: the 231st, 233rd, 322nd, 324th, 325th and 360th District Courts. Plan for that drive when you think about hearings and time off work, particularly if your job is in Dallas County.
When the Order Stops Fitting
Life changes after a decree: jobs, addresses, a child's school, a new partner. A court can modify a custody order under Texas Family Code § 156.101 when modification is in the child's best interest and circumstances have materially and substantially changed, or in certain other situations the statute lists.
Child support has its own test under § 156.401. Support can be revisited on a material and substantial change in circumstances, and the section also provides a route based on the time since the last order and how far the guideline amount differs. Until a court signs a new order, the old one still controls, even if you and your ex have agreed to something else informally.
When the Order Is Being Ignored
Missed support and denied weekends need a different approach from a change in circumstances. That is enforcement, not modification. Tarrant County's Domestic Relations Office offers legal support services, including enforcement help on possession and access, so it is worth knowing about whether or not you hire a lawyer.
Whichever route you choose, build a record as you go. Keep a dated list of the missed exchanges or payments, and keep the messages. Do not respond by withholding the children or the support on your own. Doing so can turn your enforcement case into a case against you.
Working With the Firm
Lisa G. Garza is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has more than 30 years in Texas family law. The firm's offices are in Dallas and McKinney, and it represents families across North Texas. For more on custody issues, see our guide to custody modification.
Common Questions
Where is an Arlington divorce heard?
At the Tarrant County Family Law Center, 200 East Weatherford Street in Fort Worth.
Can I stop paying child support if my ex denies my visitation?
Do not do that on your own. Support and possession are enforced separately, and withholding support can expose you to enforcement action. Address the denied time through the court or the Domestic Relations Office.
If we agree to a new schedule, do we need to go to court?
An informal agreement does not change the existing order. Until a court signs a new one, the current order is what can be enforced.