Arlington Divorce Attorney Offering Comprehensive Legal Support
Last updated on June 17, 2026
If you are facing divorce, whether looking to initiate the process as a petitioner (person filing for divorce) or left responding to the process as a respondent (nonfiling spouse), you are probably wondering what comes next.
At Welch Law Firm, PLLC, the firm’s experienced Arlington divorce lawyer routinely handles family law matters in Tarrant County and nearby jurisdictions. Attorney Lance Welch is well-suited to provide individually tailored plans to meet the needs of your case.
Filing For Divorce In Arlington
Hundreds of North Texans begin divorce proceedings every day. There are basically three kinds of marriage dissolutions in Texas: uncontested, contested and those where one party’s location is unknown. All divorces have a minimum 60-day waiting period once they are filed.
Contested And Uncontested Divorce
In uncontested matters, the parties do not desire to fight about the terms of the divorce, wish to avoid going through the judicial process and/or desire to minimize the costs of the divorce. Instead, they end the marriage on terms that are agreed upon by both parties.
Unfortunately, not all parties can agree on fair terms for their divorce and those cases are considered contested. In contested cases, some parties disagree about the terms for their children, while others disagree about support or the division of the property.
In some contested cases, there is a need for immediate temporary orders or even a temporary restraining order. Some contested cases require gathering information, extensive investigations or even the employment of experts. Cases that begin as contested are often successfully resolved through negotiations or mediation. However, when the parties cannot agree, the court is there to decide.
Finally, a few marriage dissolutions are where one party’s location is unknown. If the filing spouse has lost track of the nonfiling spouse and they cannot be located through a reasonable search, most courts allow service by posting or publication.
If there are children or any property, the court will appoint an attorney to represent the missing party. That attorney will conduct their own search for the party, and once they are finished, the court will allow the divorce to proceed.
The Temporary Hearing
In most contested cases, the judge usually holds a temporary orders hearing a short time after the filing of the divorce. At this hearing, the judge sets some ground rules, mostly related to conduct and financial matters. More importantly, the judge makes decisions regarding the temporary possession of property, temporary support and temporary child custody.
Despite occurring at the outset of the case, this hearing can be very important in establishing a precedent for your case. In certain jurisdictions, the same judge who decides your temporary orders will also make the final decisions, so this is the only chance for a first impression.
The Discovery Phase
As mentioned, some divorces require investigation regarding financial or child custody issues. “Discovery” is the process by which parties may investigate and gather evidence to build their case. Texas law requires that both parties to a lawsuit make initial disclosures of basic financial information and some general information.
Thereafter, the parties may conduct additional discovery, which may include the request for production of documents, a sworn inventory and appraisement, written questions answered under oath, subpoenas and depositions, as well as other information gathering tools. In terms of property division, Texas law requires both parties to fully disclose all assets and liabilities.
Sometimes, this exercise might just be an exchange of tax returns and pay stubs. However, in most cases, property discovery is more intense. That is especially true if there are any indications that one spouse might be concealing assets or debts.
There may also be times when it is necessary to seek discovery regarding child custody issues or support issues. Any time there is an issue of support, you are entitled to the income information of the other party. There may also be times it is necessary to seek discovery from a third party such as school or medical records.
High-Asset Divorce In Arlington
High-asset divorces involve complex financial landscapes that require a sophisticated approach. When a marriage involves significant assets like corporate interests, business valuations and retirement accounts, the stakes rise dramatically. Texas law requires a fair division of marital property, making it vital to accurately identify, value and categorize every asset to ensure you do not lose your hard-earned wealth.
Attorney Welch utilizes his extensive background handling Fortune 100 corporate cases to protect high net worth clients. He will work hard to uncover hidden assets, evaluate complex business holdings and safeguard your personal wealth.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
The overwhelming majority of all divorces ultimately settle out of court. These resolutions reduce legal fees and eliminate the emotional showdown of a divorce trial.
The most common approach is that of mediation, where the parties agree to mediate or the judge orders a mediation. Because mediation is successful in so many cases, most courts will order that parties attempt mediation before a trial takes place. In a mediation, the mediator conveys settlement offers and counter-offers between the spouses and their attorneys as they wait in separate rooms.
Legally, both sides have a duty to negotiate in good faith. The mediators use their skill and experience to attempt to bridge the gaps between the parties and find a resolution acceptable to all parties. Our law firm will help you evaluate whether a settlement is your best option or if your best option is having your day in court. If an agreement is reached in mediation, the parties sign a mediated settlement agreement that is irrevocable and binding on the parties.
Alternative dispute resolution is a complex process but this approach can save thousands in legal fees and spare hurt feelings. For a confidential consultation with an experienced divorce lawyer in Arlington, contact the Welch Law Firm, PLLC.
Call Attorney Welch For Representation You Can Count On
If you are considering divorce or are currently a party to a divorce proceeding, contact Welch Law Firm, PLLC, today. You can call attorney Welch’s Arlington law office at 817-973-3747 or fill out this form to set up an appointment.