A Richardson divorce attorney at Warren & Migliaccio, L.L.P. represents families filing for divorce in both Dallas County and Collin County courts. Our firm has helped North Texas families protect their rights and move forward since 2006. Call (888) 584-9614 for a free consultation.
Warren & Migliaccio, L.L.P. is a family law firm headquartered right here in Richardson, Texas. Our primary office is at 3600 Shire Blvd, and we’ve been serving families from this location since 2006.
What we like to do is sit down with you, answer your questions, and give you a clear picture of what to expect. Our family law team is led by Gary Warren, who has practiced family law for over 30 years, and Jonathan Frederick, our Managing Attorney for Family Law since 2015. Both are dedicated to protecting Richardson families through divorce, custody, and support matters.
We file family law cases in both Dallas County and Collin County courts. That’s important for Richardson residents, and we’ll explain why below. Our attorneys are Lead Counsel Verified, and we offer a free consultation at (888) 584-9614.
How Does Divorce Work for Richardson Residents?
Richardson Sits in Two Counties
This is something that surprises a lot of people. Richardson actually straddles two counties: Dallas County and Collin County. The county line runs roughly along the Campbell Road and Spring Valley Road area.
So what does that mean for your divorce? It means which court handles your case depends on where your home address falls within Richardson.
- If you live in the southern portion of Richardson (south of roughly Campbell Road), you are likely in Dallas County. Your divorce would be filed in the Dallas County Family District Courts at the George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building, 600 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75202.
- If you live in the northern portion of Richardson (north of roughly Campbell Road), you are likely in Collin County. Your divorce would be filed in the Collin County District Courts at the Russell A. Steindam Courts Building, 2100 Bloomdale Rd, McKinney, TX 75071.
To file in either county, you or your spouse must have lived in Texas for at least six months and in that specific county for at least 90 days. That’s a Texas requirement under Texas Family Code Section 6.301.
Not sure which county you’re in? Call us at (888) 584-9614 and we can help you figure it out in about two minutes. We deal with this question regularly because our office sits right in the middle of it.
The 60-Day Waiting Period
Texas requires a mandatory 60-day waiting period after filing before your divorce can be finalized. Whether your case is filed in Dallas County or Collin County, the clock starts the same way. An uncontested divorce can wrap up shortly after that period ends. Contested cases take longer. For a full breakdown of timing and what to expect at each stage, see our Texas divorce process and timeline guide.
Contested vs. Uncontested
If you and your spouse agree on the major issues, like property, kids, and support, you may qualify for an uncontested divorce. That’s typically faster and costs less. If there are disagreements on one or more of those issues, the case is contested and may require mediation or a trial. We handle both. You can read more about contested divorce in Texas or learn what’s needed for an uncontested divorce.
What Happens to Your Property in a Richardson Divorce?
Texas is a community property state. That basically means most property acquired during the marriage belongs to both spouses. In a divorce, the court divides community property in a way that’s “just and right,” which is not always a 50/50 split. For the full details on how Texas courts handle property division, visit our main divorce page.
Now, here’s where it gets real for Richardson families.
Richardson’s median home value is about $431,400 according to recent Census data. For a couple that purchased their home during the marriage, that home is almost certainly community property. That means it’s subject to division.
It’s a little like co-owning a car. You both own it, so you have to figure out who keeps it, or whether to sell it and split the proceeds. But with a home worth over $400,000, the stakes are obviously much higher.
On top of the house, many Richardson residents have retirement accounts from major employers in the Telecom Corridor and surrounding corporate offices. Those 401(k)s, pensions, and stock options accumulated during the marriage are typically community property too.
The question we hear most often in our office is: “Can I keep the house?” The answer depends on the total value of the marital estate, what other assets are available, and what arrangement the court considers fair. We can walk you through the specifics of your situation during a consultation.
Child Custody and Support in Richardson Divorces
If you have children, custody will be one of the biggest concerns in your divorce. In Texas, custody is called “conservatorship,” and the law generally presumes that joint custody is in the child’s best interest unless there’s a reason to suggest otherwise. Our child custody page explains the types of custody arrangements, how judges decide, and what the Standard Possession Order looks like.
For Richardson families where both parents work and share school responsibilities, a joint arrangement is common. The court looks at what’s best for the child, period.
Texas also uses a formula based on the paying parent’s income and the number of children to set child support. The court can consider special circumstances like medical needs, educational expenses, and the child’s age. Get the full details on our child support page.
Spousal Maintenance
Spousal maintenance in Texas is harder to get than in many other states. The court will only consider it under specific circumstances, such as a marriage lasting 10 or more years or a spouse with a disability. The rules are strict. You can learn about spousal maintenance eligibility and requirements here.
Steps to Take If You’re Filing for Divorce in Richardson
Here’s a general overview of the process for Richardson residents. Every case is different, but this gives you an idea of what to expect.
Step 1: Talk to a Richardson Divorce Attorney
Before you do anything else, talk to someone who knows the local courts. That’s what a free consultation is for.
When you call our office at (888) 584-9614, you’ll talk to an actual attorney, not a receptionist reading from a script. We can meet at our Richardson office, and you’ll walk out of that first conversation with a clear idea of where you stand and what your options are.
Step 2: Figure Out Your County
We touched on this above, but it’s worth repeating. Your home address determines whether you file in Dallas County or Collin County. We help clients figure this out right away because it affects where the case is filed, which judge you might appear before, and even the courthouse you’ll visit.
Step 3: Gather Your Financial Information
This is the document collection stage, and it’s a very collaborative process. We’re going to give you feedback on exactly what we need. You don’t have to figure this out on your own.
Typically, we’ll need:
- Recent pay stubs (usually the last six months)
- Tax returns from the past two years
- Mortgage statements and property records
- Retirement and investment account statements
- Bank account statements
- Any debt information (credit cards, auto loans, medical bills)
It’s similar to getting a mortgage. You’re putting together a snapshot of your financial life so we can get a clear picture of the community estate. The more thorough and honest you are at this stage, the smoother the rest of the process goes.
Be careful about shortcuts here. If you skip documents or leave things out, it’s only going to hurt you in the long run. We’ve seen it happen, and it’s not something you can fix easily later.
Step 4: Filing and the 60-Day Wait
Once we have your information and the petition is prepared, we file it with the court. Your spouse is then served with the divorce papers, and the 60-day waiting period begins.
During this time, temporary orders may need to be put in place. These can cover things like who stays in the house, how bills are paid, and a temporary custody schedule while the divorce is pending.
Step 5: Resolution
The goal is to reach an agreement through negotiation or mediation whenever possible. That’s faster, less expensive, and usually less stressful for everyone, especially children.
If an agreement isn’t possible, the case goes to trial and a judge makes the decisions. Either way, once the Final Decree of Divorce is signed, the marriage is legally over.
The good news is this: once it’s done, you can start focusing on what comes next. That’s really what this whole process is about, getting you to a place where you can move forward.
A Personal Story from Attorney Migliaccio
When Gary and I decided to move our firm’s main office in 2011, we chose Richardson for a reason. It felt right. It was a community where families lived and worked, and we wanted to be part of that.
Over 15 years later, our office at 3600 Shire Blvd is still our home base. We’ve watched this city grow. We’ve seen families walk into our office worried and overwhelmed, and we’ve walked them through some of the hardest decisions of their lives.
I don’t take that lightly. Every person who calls us is trusting us with something deeply personal. And I find satisfaction in helping others find a path forward, even when the path isn’t easy.
If you’re reading this page, you’re probably dealing with a lot right now. I just want you to know that we’ve been doing this for a long time, and we’re right here in Richardson when you’re ready to talk.
Why Choose Warren & Migliaccio for Your Richardson Divorce?
- We’re here. Our primary office is in Richardson at 3600 Shire Blvd. You’re not driving to downtown Dallas for meetings. We’re about 5 minutes from wherever you are in Richardson.
- We know both courts. We file family law cases in both Dallas County and Collin County. No matter which side of Richardson you live on, we’ve got it covered.
- Dedicated family law attorneys. Gary Warren has practiced family law for over 30 years. Jonathan Frederick has managed our family law team since 2015. When you work with us, you get attorneys who focus on this area of the law every day.
- Since 2006. We’ve been doing this for nearly 20 years. Case after case, we’ve helped Richardson families work through divorce and come out the other side with their rights protected.
- Free consultation. Call (888) 584-9614 and talk to an actual attorney. Not a call center. Not a paralegal screening calls. An attorney who can give you real answers.
- Lead Counsel Verified. Our attorneys meet stringent qualification standards and are verified by Lead Counsel.
Our firm’s a believer in making sure you’re involved in this process and that you understand everything. We don’t just tell you what to do. We explain why, and we make sure you’re comfortable with the plan before we move forward.
FAQ: Richardson Divorce Logistics, County Rules, and Court Questions
County Line and Filing Problems
What if my spouse and I both live in Richardson, but on different sides of the county line?
You may be able to file in either Dallas County or Collin County if one spouse meets the 90-day county rule there. When both spouses live in Richardson but on different sides of the county line, that choice can affect which courthouse handles the case, which judge is assigned, and how the process works in real life.
That is a true Richardson issue because the city crosses both counties. A south Richardson address may point to Dallas County and the George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building at 600 Commerce Street in Dallas, while a north Richardson address may point to Collin County and the Russell A. Steindam Courts Building at 2100 Bloomdale Road in McKinney. If only one county satisfies Texas Family Code § 6.301, that is usually the proper place to file. For the statewide filing steps after county selection, see the Texas divorce process and timeline guide.
What happens if a Richardson divorce gets filed in the wrong county?
A divorce filed in the wrong county can be challenged, delayed, or transferred before the case really gets moving. For Richardson residents, this mistake happens because a Richardson mailing address does not answer the key question: whether the home is in Dallas County or Collin County, and whether the 90-day county residency rule in Texas Family Code § 6.301 is met.
This is not a small technical mistake in Richardson. The city crosses the county line near the Campbell Road and Spring Valley Road area, so two nearby addresses can belong in different courts. Filing in the wrong place can waste time on service, scheduling, and temporary-orders planning. If the case belongs in Dallas County, it is generally headed to the George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building. If it belongs in Collin County, it is generally headed to the Russell A. Steindam Courts Building. The broader statewide filing sequence is covered in the Texas divorce process and timeline guide.
Hearings, Travel, and Case Timing
Do I go to Dallas or McKinney for a Richardson divorce hearing?
That depends on which county your Richardson divorce is filed in. Dallas County family cases are handled at the George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building, 600 Commerce Street in Dallas. Collin County family cases are handled at the Russell A. Steindam Courts Building, 2100 Bloomdale Road in McKinney.
For many Richardson families, that changes the day-to-day logistics more than people expect. A north Richardson address can mean court business in McKinney, while a south Richardson address can mean court business in downtown Dallas. Travel time, parking, and security screening can make even a short hearing feel disruptive. Whether you must appear in person can also depend on the assigned court’s current procedures, the type of hearing, and whether the case is agreed or contested. That is one reason county selection matters in Richardson beyond the city name on the envelope.
Do Dallas County and Collin County Richardson divorces move at the same speed?
No Texas divorce can be finalized before the 60-day waiting period ends, but Richardson cases do not all move at the same practical speed after that. The same statewide rule applies in both counties under Texas Family Code § 6.702, yet timing can still change based on the assigned court, whether temporary issues must be heard, whether mediation is used, and whether the case is moving through Dallas County or Collin County.
An agreed case may be ready soon after day 60, while a contested case can take much longer because of discovery, property disputes, custody issues, or trial settings. The local point is that Richardson residents are not all dealing with one courthouse or one calendar. Some are moving through downtown Dallas, and others through McKinney. That is why two families with the same city name in their address can have different pacing. For the statewide framework, use the Texas divorce process and timeline guide.
Homes, Benefits, and Parenting Logistics
Can one spouse stay in the Richardson house while the divorce is pending?
Yes, one spouse can sometimes stay in the Richardson house while the divorce is pending, but that is usually handled by agreement or temporary orders, not by whoever moved faster. In Dallas County or Collin County, temporary orders can address who stays in the home, who pays the mortgage and utilities, and how the property is used until the Final Decree is signed.
That matters in Richardson because the house is often the biggest asset in the case. This page notes a local median home value of about $431,400, so the home can drive the whole settlement. A temporary living arrangement does not automatically decide final ownership, and moving out does not automatically give up an equity claim. That is a common mistake people worry about. The statewide rules on dividing the marital estate are better covered on the property division guide.
Do stock options or retirement benefits from Richardson-area employers get divided in divorce?
Often, yes. In a Richardson divorce, stock options, restricted stock, 401(k)s, pensions, and similar benefits earned during the marriage are often treated as part of the marital estate, even when the account is tied to a Telecom Corridor or other North Texas employer.
The harder question is usually not whether the asset matters, but how much of it was earned during the marriage and how it should be valued. Under Texas Family Code § 7.001, a court divides community property in a just-and-right manner, and that can require tracing, valuation work, or expert input when grants are unvested or compensation packages have several layers. That is one reason Richardson cases tied to tech or telecom compensation can become more complex than a divorce built only around wages and a bank account. More general division rules belong on the property division guide.
Will living on different sides of Richardson affect custody exchanges or school-week schedules?
It can. When parents live on opposite sides of Richardson, the court or the parents’ agreement may need to account for school start times, after-school care, and the extra driving between homes, especially if one parent is closer to Dallas County and the other is closer to Collin County.
The legal standard is still the child’s best interest, but the local issue is practical: whether the schedule actually works on a Richardson school week. Exchange points, midweek pickups, traffic, and backup plans for late workdays can matter more than the county line itself. Temporary orders and final parenting plans usually work better when they reflect the family’s real Richardson routine instead of a generic schedule written in the abstract. For the statewide custody framework, the broader explanation belongs on the child custody page.
Serving Richardson and Surrounding Communities
From our Richardson office, we serve families throughout North Texas, including Plano, Garland, Allen, Murphy, Sachse, Addison, North Dallas, and Farmers Branch.
If you’re dealing with financial stress alongside your divorce, our Richardson bankruptcy and debt defense attorneys may be able to help. And if your divorce means it’s time to update your will, trust, or powers of attorney, our Richardson estate planning lawyers handle that too.
Talk to a Richardson Divorce Attorney Today
Divorce is hard. But you don’t have to figure it out alone. Our team is ready to sit down with you, answer your questions, and help you take the first step.
Call (888) 584-9614 for a free consultation. Or contact us online to schedule a time that works for you.
The goal is to help you move forward with confidence and get to the next chapter of your life.
Call (888) 584-9614 or click here to submit a consultation request form now.
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Office Location
Our office serving Richardson is located at:
3600 Shire Blvd #205
Richardson, Texas 75082
Located in the Shire Business Park off Jupiter Road, our Richardson office is easy to reach from anywhere in Richardson, Plano, Garland, or North Dallas.
The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every situation is different. Contact our office for advice specific to your circumstances.
