Filing automatically triggers a standing order that blocks either spouse from hiding, selling, or transferring shared property, canceling insurance, or disparaging the other parent, and keeps routines in place until the court says otherwise. That's automatic here — unlike in Harris County (Houston), where you'd have to separately request a temporary restraining order for the same protections.

Dallas County has seven family district courts — the 254th, 255th, 256th, 301st, 302nd, 303rd, and 330th — all based at the George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building at 600 Commerce Street. Your case is assigned to one of these courts at filing and generally stays there through the end.

All seven Dallas County family district courts require some form of mediation before a contested case reaches trial; the rule varies by court. The 301st, 303rd, and 330th require it unless a judge waives it for a short, non-complex trial; the 302nd requires it in every case; the 256th requires it only for trials over two hours.

Texas courts can require a parent education course when it's in the child's best interest, but Dallas enforcement varies by court. The 301st requires it by default in contested cases, waivable by the judge, while the 302nd, 303rd, and 330th decide case-by-case. Ask your attorney whether your assigned court requires it.

The Dallas County District Clerk charges $350 to file without children and $401 with children, per the county's official fee schedule effective January 1, 2024. That's separate from attorney costs — with Marble Law, you pay only for the services you need, not an hourly rate or a retainer.

You can request a fee waiver by filing a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs with your petition; if unopposed, your filing and service fees are waived under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145. Dallas County's Dispute Resolution Center also refers eligible cases to reduced-cost or pro bono mediation.