Dallas Contested Divorce Lawyer

Direct Attorney Involvement for Every Contested Divorce in Dallas

The decision to divorce is never emotionally simple, and the process rarely touches just one area of your life. When spouses disagree on custody, property, or support, a contested divorce moves through formal court proceedings with real consequences at every stage.

A contested divorce arises when spouses cannot agree on one or more issues such as custody, property division, spousal support, or the characterization of separate versus community property, and the court must resolve the dispute. While an uncontested divorce is often preferable, it isn’t possible in every case. In these situations, retaining a Dallas contested divorce lawyer as early as possible is important to protecting your rights.

When a divorce is contested rather than resolved by agreement, it moves through a formal litigation process that can include temporary orders hearings, discovery, mediation, and potentially a final trial. Each stage carries real consequences for custody arrangements and financial outcomes.

We guide clients through all aspects of a contested divorce, including:

• Child custody and visitation, including living arrangements and parenting schedules
• High-asset property division, including disputes involving community property and separate property
• Spousal support disputes
• Allegations of infidelity, domestic violence, and related conflicts

We pursue resolution through mediation when possible and are fully prepared to litigate in court when necessary to protect your rights. Our litigators have the experience to handle the complexity and pressure of a contested divorce trial.

If you’re facing a contested divorce in Dallas or anywhere across North Texas, contact us today at (888) 867-5191 to speak directly with one of our attorneys.

How a Contested Divorce Proceeds in Texas & Dallas County

Understanding the stages of a contested divorce helps you make informed decisions from the moment you file. Texas requires a 60-day waiting period from the date of filing before a divorce decree can be entered under Texas Family Code §6.702. Most Dallas County cases follow a predictable path from there, though complexity and court docket availability affect how long each stage takes. From filing to resolution, contested divorces in Texas typically take between 6 and 18 months.

Filing, Service, & Temporary Orders

The process begins with filing a Petition for Divorce and serving the other spouse. Shortly after, either party may request a temporary orders hearing that addresses temporary custody, child support, spousal support, and use of the marital residence while the case is pending. Decisions made at this stage can shape the trajectory of the entire case, which is one reason retaining counsel before or immediately after filing matters so much.

Discovery & Financial Disclosure

Discovery gives each side the financial information needed to address property division and support. This typically involves interrogatories, requests for production of documents, requests for admission, and depositions. Texas Family Code §7.001 directs courts to divide community property in a just-and-right manner, with no automatic 50/50 presumption. Factors such as fault, income disparity, health, custody of children, and the nature of separate property all bear on how the court divides the marital estate.

Mediation & Final Trial

Dallas County family courts routinely require contested cases to attend mediation before a final trial date is set. A Mediated Settlement Agreement signed under Texas Family Code §6.602 is binding on both parties and cannot be revoked. If mediation doesn’t resolve all issues, the case proceeds to a final trial before a judge in one of Dallas County’s family district courts.

Child custody determinations follow Texas Family Code §153.131, which presumes that Joint Managing Conservatorship is in the child’s best interest. Under Texas Family Code §153.004, a credible finding of family violence involving the parents removes that presumption and bars the court from appointing joint managing conservators. Fault-based grounds under Texas law include adultery, cruelty, abandonment, and felony conviction, alongside the no-fault ground of insupportability.

Why Dallas Clients Choose Mathur Law Offices, P.C. for Contested Divorce

The window to respond to a filed petition and request temporary orders is short. Decisions made without counsel in those early stages can affect custody and property outcomes throughout the entire case, which is why it matters who you call first.

At Mathur Law Offices, P.C., contested divorce cases are handled personally by one of our attorneys, not passed to support staff. Whether the dispute centers on your children’s living arrangements or the division of a complex marital estate, you receive direct attorney involvement and a legal strategy built around your specific circumstances, custody goals, and financial interests.

Our depth across family law, criminal defense, and immigration law means that when a contested divorce touches overlapping legal matters, such as domestic violence allegations, protective orders, or immigration status, we can provide coordinated representation from the same team. Clients don’t have to manage separate firms for intersecting problems. Founded by Mr. Sanjay Mathur on the principle that every client deserves top-tier legal representation, we serve clients throughout Dallas and across North Texas, including Denton. We have documented case victories across our practice areas and the commitment to pursue an outcome aligned with what matters most to you.