Plano Divorce Attorney

A Divorce Attorney for Plano Families

Deciding to divorce is hard, and the questions start right away: where to file, what happens to the house, how the children will split their time. Pfister Family Law represents Plano husbands and wives from our Frisco office at 5300 Town and Country Blvd, Suite 110, a short drive up the Dallas North Tollway. We handle agreed divorces, contested divorces and cases with significant assets or a family business. Call 972-712-6700 and we will start with what matters most to you, then build a plan around it.

Filing for Divorce From Plano

To file for divorce in Texas, one spouse generally must have lived in Texas for the past six months and in the county where the case is filed for the past 90 days. Plano is mostly in Collin County, and a smaller part of the city is in Denton County. If you recently moved, the county where you can file may depend on how long you have lived there. We confirm the right court before anything is filed.

How Long a Plano Divorce Takes

Texas generally has a 60-day waiting period, counted from the day the petition is filed, before a court can grant a divorce. That is the minimum, not the typical timeline. An agreed divorce can finish soon after the waiting period ends, while a contested case with custody or property disputes can take many months. Our post on how long a divorce takes in Texas walks through each stage.

Dividing Property and Debt

Texas is a community property state. Property acquired during the marriage is generally presumed to be community property, and the court divides the community estate in a way it considers just and right, which is not always a 50/50 split. Separate property, such as what you owned before marriage or received by gift or inheritance, is generally not divided, but it usually has to be proven. Plano spouses often have retirement plans, stock options, restricted stock and bonuses from employers in the Legacy business area, and each needs a careful look. See our property division page, our post on who gets the house, and our guide to dividing a 401(k).

When Children Are Involved

A divorce with children also settles conservatorship, a possession schedule and child support. Many Plano parents juggle Plano ISD or a neighboring district, long workdays and frequent travel, and the standard possession order is only a starting point. Parents can agree to a schedule that fits their family, and the court looks at the child’s best interest either way. Our Plano child custody lawyer page covers custody questions in more depth.

Settle or Go to Court

Most divorces resolve through negotiation or mediation, and mediation is common in Collin County cases and is often ordered before trial. Settling usually costs less and gives you more say in the outcome. When a fair agreement is not possible, we prepare the case for trial. Our post on what a divorce costs in Texas explains how that choice affects the budget.

Who Handles Your Case

John J. Pfister Jr., the firm’s founder, is board-certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Jacob Jeffries is also board-certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Associate attorney Dakota Mayr works alongside them. The firm also handles high net worth divorce and uncontested divorce.

Talk With a Plano Divorce Attorney

Call 972-712-6700 to schedule a confidential consultation at our Frisco office, by appointment at our Prosper office, or by video. Learn more on our divorce page, our Plano family lawyer page, or our Collin County page.