tyla pamphletThere are a lot of good resources out there to help prepare you for divorce court. In our Dallas family law firm, one of the resources we recommend to client is the Texas Young Lawyers Association pamphlet What to expect in Texas Family Court. It covers topics such as:

  • What to wear in court: nice pants and shirt with collar for men, or dress or skirt or pants with conservative blouse for women.

  • Alternatives to court resolution such as mediation, collaborative law, and arbitration.

  • The steps to take before the court grants an adoption.

  • Does Texas have legal separation? (Answer, no.)

  • Common law marriage elements and time frame.

  • Two different types of conservatorship for Texas parents.

  • Standard for setting guideline child support in Texas and the role of the Office of the Attorney General in assisting with child support establishment, collection, and enforcement.

  • How and when can an order regarding children be modified.

The pamphlet also has a list of common terms used in divorce and family law cases in Texas and Dallas, with definitions. This is a very useful resource to help people new to the family law arena understand the lingo.

At the end of the pamphlet it lists all of the district courts in Texas with telephone numbers.

The only downside to this publication is that it was prepared in 2005, so some of the information could be outdated. As with anything you read on the internet, be cautious about relying on it as current information. Even so, this is a good basis for information for people to start their research and understanding about what happens in Texas and Dallas divorce and family law court.

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Photo of Michelle O'Neil Michelle O'Neil

Michelle May O’Neil has 30+ years’ experience representing small business owners, professionals, and individuals in litigation related to family law matters such as divorce, child custody, and complex property division. Described by one lawyer as “a lethal combination of sweet-and-salty”, Ms. O’Neil exudes…

Michelle May O’Neil has 30+ years’ experience representing small business owners, professionals, and individuals in litigation related to family law matters such as divorce, child custody, and complex property division. Described by one lawyer as “a lethal combination of sweet-and-salty”, Ms. O’Neil exudes genuine compassion for her client’s difficulties, yet she can be relentless when in pursuit of a client’s goals. One judge said of Ms. O’Neil, “She cannot be out-gunned, out-briefed, or out-lawyered!”

Family Law Specialist

Ms. O’Neil became a board-certified family law specialist by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in 1997 and has maintained her certification since that time. While representing clients in litigation before the trial court is an important part of her practice, Ms. O’Neil also handles appellate matters in the trial court, courts of appeals and Texas Supreme Court. Lawyers frequently consult with Ms. O’Neil on their litigation cases about specialized legal issues requiring particularized attention both at the trial court and appellate levels. This gives her a unique perspective and depth of perception that benefits both her litigation and appellate clients.

Top Lawyers in Texas and America

Ms. O’Neil has been named to the list of Texas SuperLawyers for many years, a peer-voted honor given to only about 5% of the lawyers in the state of Texas. Ms. O’Neil received the special honor of being named by Texas SuperLawyers as one of the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Texas, Top 100 Lawyers in Texas, and Top 100 Lawyers in DFW for multiple years. She was named one of the Best Lawyers in America and received an “A-V” peer review rating by Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directories for the highest quality legal ability and ethical standards.

Author and Speaker

A noted author, Ms. O’Neil released her second book Basics of Texas Divorce Law in November 2010, with a second edition released in 2013, and a third edition expected in 2015.  Her first book, All About Texas Law and Kids, was published in September 2009 by Texas Lawyer Press. In 2012, Ms. O’Neil co-authored the booklets What You Need To Know About Common Law Marriage In Texas and Social Study Evaluations.  The State Bar of Texas and other providers of continuing education for attorneys frequently enlist Ms. O’Neil to provide instruction to attorneys on topics of her expertise in the family law arena.