Arlington Divorce & Family Lawyer
Arlington is one of the largest cities in Texas, yet families here have surprisingly few dedicated family law attorneys to turn to. Daniell Law Group fills that gap. Emily Daniell lived in Arlington for years, and a large share of her practice today is Arlington families working through divorce, custody, and modifications.
A family lawyer who knows Arlington, not just the courthouse.
When your marriage or your custody arrangement is coming apart, the lawyer you choose matters more than almost any other decision you will make. Arlington families often end up choosing between big Dallas and Fort Worth firms that treat them like a file number, or a general practitioner who handles family law on the side.
Daniell Law Group is a different kind of option: a boutique family law practice where you work directly with Emily Daniell from the first call to the final order. Emily spent years living in Arlington, and Arlington families remain the heart of her practice. She knows the community, she knows the Tarrant County family courts where Arlington cases are decided, and she treats every case like it matters, because to your family it does.
Whether you are facing a divorce, a custody dispute, or a change to an existing order, you will get straight answers about where you stand and a litigator who is prepared to protect you in the courtroom if your case requires it.
Emily Daniell
When you hire Daniell Law Group, you work with Emily Daniell herself. Not an intake team, not a rotating associate. She handles your case from the first consultation through the final decree, so you always know who is in your corner.
Emily is a litigator who prepares every case as if it will be tried, and her own experience with divorce and co-parenting shapes how she meets clients during a hard chapter. She gives you honest answers and steady communication when you need them most.
- EducationJ.D., Texas Wesleyan School of Law
- LicensedState Bar of Texas, since 2009
- FocusFamily law & probate litigation
Where Arlington divorce and custody cases are heard
Arlington sits in Tarrant County, so your divorce or custody case is filed with the Tarrant County District Clerk and heard in the county's family district courts in downtown Fort Worth. There is no separate Arlington family court.
That is worth understanding when you choose a lawyer. You do not need an attorney with an office on your side of town. You need one who regularly practices in the Tarrant County family courts, understands how those judges run their dockets, and knows what opposing counsel in this county tend to expect.
We represent families across Arlington, from north of I-30 to the neighborhoods around Lake Arlington and south toward Mansfield, along with Pantego, Dalworthington Gardens, Kennedale, and the Tarrant County side of Grand Prairie. For a full walk-through of how Texas divorce works, read our complete guide to divorce in Texas.
How a divorce works for Arlington residents
Every case has its own facts, but the path through the Tarrant County courts is broadly the same. Here is what an Arlington divorce usually looks like.
- 01
Confirm where you file
Arlington residents file with the Tarrant County District Clerk once they have lived in Texas for six months and in the county for 90 days.
- 02
Petition and service
The case opens when the original petition is filed. Your spouse is formally served, or signs a waiver, and has a set time to respond.
- 03
Temporary orders
The court can put temporary orders in place for custody, support, and the house early on, so life stays stable while the case is pending.
- 04
The 60-day waiting period
Texas requires at least 60 days between filing and a final divorce. Agreed cases can finalize soon after that window closes.
- 05
Discovery and mediation
Both sides exchange financial records and parenting information, and Tarrant County courts typically send contested cases to mediation before trial.
- 06
Final decree or trial
Most cases settle. Those that do not are decided by the court. Either way, Emily handles your case personally through to the final order.
Family law representation for Arlington families
From straightforward uncontested divorces to custody disputes that go to trial, here is the work we handle for clients in Arlington.
Trusted in the
hardest chapters.
Family law and probate work asks for trust before it earns it. The clients below extended that trust and chose to share what came after.
I cannot recommend Emily highly enough for anyone in need of family law representation in the DFW area. Emily guided me through a challenging custody case in Tarrant County with an exceptional level of professionalism and dedication.
Emily made a difficult situation easier to navigate. The entire staff were both professionally and personally attentive to my needs. Always gave weekly updates and guided me step by step on what I needed to do. I would highly recommend their services.
Emily did a wonderful job helping me with the probate process. Fantastic at communicating, especially with the weekly updates, great reliability, and delivered quick results. I would absolutely use her again in the future.
They handled a probate matter for me that just wrapped up. Emily was knowledgeable, kind and handled things quickly and efficiently. This firm is fantastic and doesn’t leave you feeling like you wasted your time or money.
I cannot recommend Emily highly enough for anyone in need of family law representation in the DFW area. Emily guided me through a challenging custody case in Tarrant County with an exceptional level of professionalism and dedication.
Arlington divorce and family law questions
Arlington is in Tarrant County, so your divorce is filed with the Tarrant County District Clerk and assigned to one of the county's family district courts in downtown Fort Worth. You must have lived in Texas for at least six months and in Tarrant County for at least 90 days before filing.
No. Family cases are handled at the county level, so what matters is experience in the Tarrant County family courts, not the street address of the office. Emily lived in Arlington for years and represents Arlington families in those courts regularly.
Texas requires a 60-day waiting period from filing, so that is the minimum. An agreed divorce can finalize shortly after. Contested cases usually take six months to a year or more, depending on what is in dispute and the court's schedule.
Texas courts decide custody based on the best interest of the child, looking at each parent's involvement, stability, and ability to co-parent. We build a clear picture of your role as a parent and a parenting plan that protects your relationship with your children.
Yes. If there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances, Texas allows you to seek a modification. Modifications are a significant part of our Arlington practice, for both mothers and fathers.
It depends on the case. An agreed divorce with no children and simple finances costs far less than a contested custody fight. We are upfront about fees on the first call and provide a clear retainer agreement before any work begins.
Yes. Your first consultation is free, confidential, and obligation-free. Call (817) 886-7874 or send a message through the contact form and we will respond within one business day.
All of Arlington, along with Pantego, Dalworthington Gardens, Kennedale, Mansfield, and the Tarrant County side of Grand Prairie. If you are unsure whether your case is in our service area, just ask.
A conversation,
in confidence.
Every consultation is private and obligation-free. Tell us what is happening, and we will tell you, honestly, how we can help.