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Fort Worth Divorce Attorney | Family Law Specialists | Varghese Summersett Fort Worth Divorce Attorney

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Every Divorce is Different. Our Experience Allows Tailored Solutions.

Varghese Summersett Family Law Team

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Fort Worth Divorce Attorneys — Experienced in Every Path Forward

If you're facing divorce in Fort Worth, you need an attorney who understands that no two divorces are alike. Some of our clients want a streamlined, uncontested process to move forward quickly and affordably. Others are navigating high-conflict situations where their assets, custody rights, or business interests demand aggressive protection. Still others seek privacy and want to resolve matters away from the public eye through collaborative divorce. Some families have simple needs while others face complex property division involving hidden assets or business valuations. Whatever your situation calls for, Varghese Summersett has the experience, expertise, and resources to guide you to the outcome that matters most.

What sets us apart isn't our approach to trial. It's our ability to match our strategy to what you actually need.

The Range of Divorce Paths We Navigate

Uncontested Divorce
When both spouses agree on the major issues — property division, child custody, support — your divorce can move faster and cost significantly less. We help clients reach these agreements efficiently and finalize without unnecessary delay.

Collaborative Divorce
For clients concerned about privacy, publicity, or preserving relationships (especially important when children are involved), collaborative divorce keeps your case out of the courtroom and off the public record. Both spouses and their attorneys commit to resolving matters through private negotiation.

Contested Divorce
When spouses disagree on significant issues — custody, asset division, support — we provide aggressive representation. Whether your case ultimately settles or proceeds to trial, we prepare thoroughly because your family's future is at stake.

High-Asset Divorce
Complex cases involving business interests, executive compensation, investment portfolios, or hidden assets require specialized expertise. We work with forensic accountants, business valuation experts, and other specialists to ensure nothing is overlooked.

What Matters to You Shapes Our Strategy

Some clients prioritize cost efficiency. They want expert representation without unnecessary legal fees. We work strategically to achieve their goals without excess.

Some clients prioritize speed. They need to move forward with their lives and are motivated to find settlement quickly.

Some clients prioritize results. The cost matters less than ensuring they walk away with what's fair. We bring full resources to these cases.

Some clients prioritize privacy. They're concerned about business reputation, social standing, or media attention. Collaborative divorce and careful case management protect their confidentiality.

Some clients prioritize their children. Custody and protecting parent-child relationships drive every decision. We understand what judges in Tarrant County actually care about when making custody decisions.

Some clients are in high-conflict situations. They've experienced deception, hidden assets, or relationship breakdown that demands vigilant protection of their interests.

Whatever your priority, we meet you where you are. We listen. We assess your situation realistically. We explain your options. And then we execute the strategy that serves your needs.

Our Fort Worth Family Law Team

Turner Thornton

TURNER THORNTON

DIVISION LEAD · FAMILY LAW

Turner Thornton leads the Family Law Division at Varghese Summersett. He handles complex divorce cases involving high-value assets, business interests, and contested custody disputes throughout Tarrant County. Known for his strategic approach and courtroom presence, Turner prepares every case as if it will go to trial — a posture that consistently produces better settlements and stronger verdicts.

Craig Jackson

CRAIG JACKSON

PARTNER · BOARD CERTIFIED IN FAMILY LAW · FORMER ASSOCIATE JUDGE, TARRANT COUNTY

Craig Jackson is a Partner and a Board Certified Family Law Specialist — one of the highest credentials a Texas family law attorney can hold. Before joining Varghese Summersett, Craig served as an Associate Judge in Tarrant County, where he presided over thousands of family and divorce cases. That experience from the bench gives him an unmatched perspective: he knows exactly how judges think, what they look for, and what moves the needle in contested cases. Craig handles complex divorces, high-asset property division, and custody disputes throughout Tarrant County.

Dena L. Wilson

DENA L. WILSON

PARTNER · FAMILY LAW

Dena L. Wilson is a Partner with deep roots in Tarrant County family courts. She represents clients in all aspects of divorce and family law, from temporary orders through final trial. Dena is known for her thorough preparation, her ability to connect with clients during some of the most stressful periods of their lives, and her tenacity in protecting their interests.

Kristen Carr

KRISTEN CARR

SENIOR ASSOCIATE · FAMILY LAW

Kristen Carr is a Senior Associate in the Family Law Division who focuses on divorce, child custody, and modification cases. She brings a detail-oriented approach to every matter, ensuring that no asset goes unaccounted for and no parenting right goes unprotected. Kristen is a strong advocate for clients navigating high-conflict custody disputes and protective order proceedings.

Cassidy Terrazas

CASSIDY TERRAZAS

ASSOCIATE · FAMILY LAW

Cassidy Terrazas is an Associate in the Family Law Division who handles divorce, custody, and support matters for clients across Tarrant County. She is committed to providing compassionate, client-centered representation while pursuing aggressive outcomes. Cassidy works closely with clients to understand their goals and build strategies that protect what matters most.

Hailey Klingbeil

HAILEY KLINGBEIL

ASSOCIATE · FAMILY LAW

Hailey Klingbeil is an Associate in the Family Law Division who represents clients in divorce, child custody, and support proceedings. She is known for her thorough case preparation and her ability to explain complex legal concepts in plain terms. Hailey is dedicated to helping clients make informed decisions during one of the most challenging chapters of their lives.

McKenzie Coe

MCKENZIE COE

ASSOCIATE · FAMILY LAW

McKenzie Coe is an Associate in the Family Law Division who handles divorce, custody, and family law matters in Tarrant County. She brings energy and precision to every case, working diligently to protect her clients' rights and achieve the best possible outcomes for their families. McKenzie is particularly skilled at navigating the emotional and logistical complexities of contested custody cases.

Michael Livens

MICHAEL LIVENS

ASSOCIATE · FAMILY LAW

Michael Livens is an Associate in the Family Law Division who represents clients in divorce, property division, and custody matters throughout Tarrant County. He is committed to thorough preparation and strategic advocacy, ensuring that clients enter every hearing and negotiation with the strongest possible position. Michael works closely with clients to understand their priorities and craft solutions that protect their families.

Meet the Entire Varghese Summersett Team →

Our Reviews: What Past Clients Have to Say

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Why Fort Worth Families
Choose Varghese Summersett

01
Versatile Experience Across Every Divorce Type

We don't have one approach we force every client into. Our family law team handles uncontested divorces where we help reach fair agreements quickly, collaborative cases where privacy is paramount, complex asset divorces where forensic accounting and business valuation are essential, and contested custody battles where courtroom skill matters. This versatility means we understand your specific situation and can match our expertise to your needs.

02
Board-Certified Family Law Expertise

One of our partners is Board Certified in Family Law — a credential requiring extensive experience, continuing education, and peer evaluation held by fewer than 1% of Texas attorneys. This level of expertise translates to more sophisticated analysis of your property division, better custody strategies, and thorough protection of your rights.

03
A Former Judge on Your Side

One of our partners served as an Associate Judge in Tarrant County, presiding over thousands of family and divorce cases. That experience from the bench gives him an unmatched perspective: he knows exactly how judges think, what they look for, and what moves the needle in contested cases. You don't just get an advocate — you get an insider.

04
Tarrant County Knowledge

Our family law team operates from our Fort Worth headquarters. We know the judges, understand their tendencies, know the court coordinators and local timelines, and have relationships built over years of professional interaction. This isn't theoretical knowledge — it's practical insight that shapes how we position your case.

05
Honest Assessment. Strategic Execution.

We won't promise outcomes we can't deliver. Instead, we'll give you a realistic evaluation of your situation — including what you're likely to achieve, what you might lose, and what trade-offs exist. Then we execute the strategy that best serves your priorities. You deserve to know exactly where you stand before making decisions that affect the rest of your life.

What Makes a Divorce "Contested" vs. "Uncontested" in Texas?

Texas recognizes two paths to divorce. An uncontested divorce happens when both spouses agree on all major issues: property division, child custody, and support. These cases move faster and cost less. A contested divorce means you and your spouse disagree on at least one significant issue, and a judge may need to decide.

Most divorces start contested and become uncontested through negotiation. The key is having an attorney skilled enough to secure favorable terms before trial while prepared enough to win if negotiations fail. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 6, you can file for divorce on "no-fault" grounds (insupportability) or fault-based grounds including adultery, cruelty, felony conviction, or abandonment. Fault grounds can affect property division and spousal support awards.

How Texas Divides Property in a Fort Worth Divorce

Texas is a community property state, meaning most assets acquired during marriage belong equally to both spouses. But "equal" doesn't always mean "50/50." Under Texas Family Code Section 7.001, courts must divide community property in a manner that is "just and right." Factors like fault in the breakup, each spouse's earning capacity, and who has primary custody of the children can shift the division.

Separate property belongs only to you and stays out of the division. This includes assets you owned before marriage, gifts, and inheritances. The challenge? Proving something is separate property when it's been mixed with community funds over years of marriage.

Fort Worth families often have complex assets that demand specialized handling. Our attorneys are particularly skilled at:

  • Business valuations for entrepreneurs and executives where company value is a marital asset
  • Tracing assets through commingled funds, working with forensic accountants to untangle years of mixed finances
  • Executive compensation packages including stock options, RSUs, restricted stock, and deferred bonuses
  • Oil and gas interests, ranch land, and multigenerational wealth common to North Texas families

In a recent Tarrant County case, we represented a spouse whose partner had systematically moved community funds into accounts titled in his name alone. Our forensic analysis uncovered $340,000 in hidden transfers over three years, resulting in a significantly more favorable property division for our client. When assets are being hidden, you need attorneys with the resources and expertise to find them.

Child Custody in Tarrant County: How Judges Decide

Texas law calls custody "conservatorship." Most parents become Joint Managing Conservators, sharing decision-making rights for major issues like education, medical care, and religious upbringing. The parent with the right to determine the child's primary residence typically has the children most of the time.

When parents can't agree on custody, a Tarrant County judge will decide based on the child's best interest. Under Texas Family Code Section 153.002, the court considers factors including each parent's ability to care for the child, the child's emotional and physical needs, any history of family violence, and (for older children) the child's own preferences.

Judges in Tarrant County follow somewhat predictable patterns, and our attorneys know these tendencies from decades of practice in local courts. Some judges favor geographic restrictions keeping children close to Fort Worth. Others focus heavily on each parent's work schedule and availability. This local knowledge shapes how we present your case and what custody arrangement we pursue.

For custody disputes involving domestic violence allegations, our firm brings unique capability. Our criminal defense background means we understand how to challenge false accusations and, when representing victims, how to document patterns of abuse that courts will credit.

How Long Does a Fort Worth Divorce Take?

Texas requires a minimum 60-day waiting period from the date you file until your divorce can be finalized. This is mandatory. Even if you and your spouse agree on everything, you cannot be divorced in Texas in less than 60 days.

Realistically, most contested divorces in Tarrant County take 6 to 12 months. Complex cases involving business valuations, hidden assets, or bitter custody disputes can extend to 18 months or longer. Uncontested divorces typically finalize within 60 to 90 days. The timeline depends on how quickly financial information is exchanged, whether expert witnesses are needed, court availability, and how willing both sides are to negotiate.

Temporary Orders: Protection While Your Divorce Is Pending

Divorce cases don't resolve overnight, but life doesn't pause while you wait. Temporary orders establish rules for the period between filing and final decree: Who stays in the house? What happens to the children's schedule? Who pays which bills? Can either spouse sell assets or empty bank accounts?

Under Texas Family Code Section 105.001, courts can issue temporary orders regarding child custody, child support, spousal support, possession of the family home, and use of property. These orders remain in effect until the final divorce decree replaces them.

Temporary orders hearings often set the tone for the entire case. The schedule established in temporary orders frequently becomes the permanent arrangement, because judges hesitate to disrupt children's routines. We prepare for temporary orders hearings with the same intensity we bring to final trial.

Protecting High-Profile Clients During Divorce

Fort Worth's business and social communities are tightly connected. For executives, medical professionals, and prominent families, privacy during divorce is paramount. A contested divorce becomes public record, and allegations made in court filings can end up in the news or around dinner tables.

Our firm offers Collaborative Divorce, a private alternative to litigation. Both spouses and their attorneys commit to resolving issues without going to court. Discussions happen in private conferences, not public courtrooms. Financial details, personal struggles, and family conflicts stay confidential. We also have an in-house media relations director who can manage press inquiries if a divorce involves high-profile allegations.

Our Approach Depends on What Your Case Needs

Our firm has extensive trial experience: over 600 jury trials across criminal, civil, and family matters, backed by more than 100 years of combined courtroom experience. But trial experience isn't the goal — it's a tool. Some divorce cases settle quickly and never need a courtroom. Others require aggressive negotiation backed by the credibility that comes from serious trial preparation. A few proceed to trial where skilled advocacy directly affects the outcome.

The difference between a good divorce attorney and an exceptional one isn't whether they've tried cases. It's whether they can match their approach to your actual needs. We can navigate uncontested divorces efficiently. We can guide collaborative processes where both sides are committed to privacy and working together. We can aggressively pursue your interests in high-conflict situations. And yes, we can try cases in front of a judge when that's what justice requires.

What matters is that we understand your priorities, give you honest advice about your options, and execute the right strategy. Whether that's reaching efficient agreement, managing private negotiation, or preparing for court, we're equipped to deliver results.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Fort Worth Divorce

Can I file for divorce in Fort Worth if I just moved here? +

To file for divorce in Texas, you must have lived in the state for at least six months and in your county for at least 90 days. If you recently moved to Fort Worth, you may need to wait before filing in Tarrant County, or you may need to file in your previous county of residence.

Will I have to go to court during my divorce? +

In an uncontested divorce, only one spouse typically needs to attend a brief "prove-up" hearing to finalize the divorce. In contested cases, you may need to attend multiple hearings for temporary orders, discovery disputes, and potentially a final trial.

Can my spouse and I use the same attorney? +

No. Texas law prohibits an attorney from representing both spouses in a divorce because your interests conflict. However, one spouse may be unrepresented while the other has counsel. We strongly recommend both parties have their own attorney to protect their rights.

What happens to our house in the divorce? +

The marital home is typically community property. Options include: one spouse buys out the other's interest, you sell the home and split proceeds, or one spouse (often the custodial parent) remains in the home temporarily while ownership is decided later. What's "just and right" depends on your specific circumstances.

How is child support calculated in Texas? +

Texas uses a formula based on the paying parent's net resources. For one child, the guideline amount is 20% of net monthly income; for two children, 25%; three children, 30%; and so on. Courts can deviate from guidelines based on the child's special needs, the parents' resources, and other factors outlined in Texas Family Code Chapter 154.

What if my spouse is hiding assets? +

Hidden assets are more common than people realize, especially in high-income divorces. Warning signs include sudden "business losses," unexplained transfers to family members, and cash businesses with inconsistent records. Our firm works with forensic accountants who specialize in tracing hidden funds. Texas courts take asset concealment seriously and can award a disproportionate share of property to the innocent spouse as a penalty.

What approach is right for my divorce? +

The best approach depends on your situation. If you and your spouse broadly agree on issues and want to move forward affordably and efficiently, an uncontested or collaborative divorce may be ideal. If you're concerned about privacy or want to preserve working relationships (especially with children involved), collaborative divorce removes your case from the public record. If significant disagreement exists about assets, custody, or support, contested divorce may be necessary — and we'll prepare thoroughly because your interests deserve serious advocacy. During your consultation, we'll discuss your priorities and recommend an approach that makes sense for your family.

At Home in Fort Worth

Our Fort Worth office is located at 300 Throckmorton Street, Suite 700, in the heart of downtown Fort Worth. We're minutes away from the Tarrant County courthouse, the family law courts, and the district courts where your case will be heard. When urgent motions need to be filed or emergency hearings need to be attended, we're already there.

Being embedded in Fort Worth's legal community means we work alongside the judges, court coordinators, and opposing counsel who will shape your case every day. These relationships, built over years of professional interaction, often make the difference between a favorable settlement and a prolonged, costly battle.

300 Throckmorton Street, Suite 700, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Phone: (817) 203-2220

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Experienced family law attorneys serving Fort Worth and Tarrant County

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Facing divorce in Fort Worth? Get a free consultation. (817) 203-2220