Filing a Frisco Divorce in Collin County

The Courthouse

The Collin County Courthouse is at 2100 Bloomdale Road, McKinney, Texas 75071. The county lists 15 district courts there, each with its own suite and page. Your first job after filing is to find the page for your court and follow its procedures, rather than relying on general advice about the county.

The Standing Order

Collin County publishes a Standing Order on Children, Property and Conduct of Parties. In summary, it restricts actions such as changing a child's school or residence, hiding a child, disposing of property, draining accounts and deleting relevant electronic information. It is meant to hold things steady while the case is pending. Read the current text on the county's site, because the order controls over any summary, including this one.

A new job or a planned move can run into these limits quickly. If you are about to do something big, ask first.

Mediation

The county's Alternative Dispute Resolution Program, CCAP, and its family law referral order make mediation a likely stop for many Collin County cases. Under Texas Family Code § 6.602, a court can refer a divorce to mediation, and a properly signed mediated settlement agreement is binding. Come prepared: know your budget, your property list and the schedule you actually want, because you are unlikely to get a second chance to reconsider what you signed.

Temporary Orders

While the case is pending, Texas Family Code § 6.502 allows the court, after notice and a hearing, to make orders such as requiring sworn inventories, ordering support, granting exclusive occupancy of the home and limiting spending. These early orders can set the pattern for the rest of the case, so treat that hearing as important.

Lisa G. Garza has a McKinney office at 205 West Louisiana Street, Suite 103, open by appointment only.

Common Questions