This guide covers 10 divorce and family law firms serving Dallas, Texas and the surrounding North Texas counties. Each firm was evaluated on attorney credentials (including board certification in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and recognition from Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and D Magazine), depth of experience in divorce, property division, and child custody, practice focus (dedicated family law practices over general practices that list divorce as one of many services), firm size, and Google rating. Divorces filed in Dallas County are heard in one of the county's seven family district courts, so we weighed familiarity with the Dallas County Family District Courts and the Dallas County District Clerk filing process alongside credentials.
When comparing firms, three practical questions matter most: whether the attorney regularly handles cases in the Dallas County family courts, whether the firm has experience with the property issues your marriage involves (a business, retirement accounts, or high-value community property), and whether it offers mediation or collaborative divorce alongside litigation.
Here Is The List of Best Dallas Divorce Lawyers & Law Firms:
1. Law Office of Michael P. Granata
Firm Details
- Attorney: Michael P. Granata, Founder
- Founded: 1999
- Headquarters: Turley Law Center, 6440 North Central Expressway, Suite 450, Dallas, TX 75206
- Phone: (214) 977-9050
- Website: dallasdivorcelawyer.com
- Practice Areas: Divorce, High Net Worth Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, Spousal Support, Annulments, Common Law Marriage Divorce, Paternity Testing, Premarital Agreements, Postmarital Agreements, Domestic Violence, Restraining Orders, Protective Orders, Adoption, Name Change
- Firm Size: Boutique family law firm led by its founding attorney, with more than 25 years in practice
- Google Rating: 4.9 ★★★★★ (61 reviews) | View on Google
About the Firm
The Law Office of Michael P. Granata was founded in 1999 and focuses on divorce, paternity, and family law in Dallas. Michael Granata began his career in the securities industry with a Dallas brokerage before a divorce client changed his direction, and he has now practiced as a Dallas divorce attorney for more than 25 years. That securities background shapes how he approaches the division of assets and debts, particularly in high-value cases. He is a former board member of the Dallas Bar Association Family Law Section (2009 to 2012) and belongs to the State Bar of Texas Family Law Section, the Denton County Bar Association, the Plano Bar Association, and the Texas Family Law Foundation.
The firm handles everything from simple no-property divorces to high-value, complex-asset cases, and it files divorces in the Dallas County family district courts alongside matters in Collin, Denton, Ellis, Kaufman, and Rockwall Counties. Granata treats litigation as a last resort and explores mediation first, but he is known for going on the offensive when a custody evaluator's work does not meet professional and legal standards, challenging the analysis and conclusions of any expert whose work product falls short.
2. Cruz Arevalo, P.C.
Firm Details
- Attorneys: Monica Cruz, Principal Partner, and Kala Arevalo, Partner
- Headquarters: 901 Main Street, Suite 6500, Dallas, TX 75202
- Phone: (214) 661-1500
- Website: cruzarevalo.com
- Practice Areas: Divorce (Contested, Uncontested, High Asset), Child Custody (including High Conflict Co-Parenting and Modification), Child Support, Enforcement, Property Division, Domestic Violence, Protective and Restraining Orders, Adoption, Family Law
- Firm Size: Boutique, women-led family law firm with two partners, a senior associate, an associate attorney, and a senior paralegal with more than three decades of family law experience
- Google Rating: 5.0 ★★★★★ (10 reviews) | View on Google
About the Firm
Cruz Arevalo, P.C. is a downtown Dallas family law firm founded by Monica Cruz, who holds a B.A. from Texas Tech University and a J.D. from Texas Tech University School of Law and is board certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Her recognitions include Super Lawyers selection since 2010 and a Top Rated Family Law Attorney designation in Dallas for 2020, and the firm was named a Best Law Firm by Best Lawyers for 2023. Cruz has handled divorce, child custody, complex property division, adoption, termination of parental rights, modification, child support, and paternity cases.
Partner Kala Arevalo adds a child-focused practice built on experience with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, where she has represented both parents and children in CPS matters, and she is a qualified mediator in civil, family, and CPS cases. She was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2023 to 2025 and a 2021 Top 10 Under 40 Family Law Attorney in Texas by the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys. The firm publishes a full Spanish-language version of its website and has a dedicated high asset divorce practice for Dallas County cases.
3. Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson
Firm Details
- Attorneys: Richard Orsinger, Keith Nelson, Scott Downing, and Jeff Anderson, Name Partners
- Headquarters: 5950 Sherry Lane, Suite 800, Dallas, TX 75225 (additional offices in Frisco and San Antonio)
- Phone: (214) 273-2400
- Website: ondafamilylaw.com
- Practice Areas: Divorce, Child Custody, Adoption, International Family Law, Family Law Appeals, Mediation, Arbitration
- Firm Size: Large; one of the largest family law firms in Texas, with 18 attorneys named to The Best Lawyers in America for 2026
- Google Rating: 4.2 ★★★★(34 reviews) | View on Google
About the Firm
Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson, known as ONDA, practices family law exclusively and has served families for more than 30 years. Name partner Richard Orsinger began practicing in 1975, has been board certified in family law since 1980 and in civil appellate law since 1987, and was named Family Law Lawyer of the Year in San Antonio in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Keith Nelson, Scott Downing, and Jeff Anderson are also board certified in family law, and the firm has been named to the Best Law Firms guide for 15 consecutive years.
ONDA has a notable appellate profile, since Orsinger is recognized in both family law and appellate law, which matters when a Dallas County ruling may be taken up on appeal. Its attorneys regularly appear in Dallas, Collin, and Denton County courts.
4. Goranson Bain Ausley
Firm Details
- Attorneys: Lindley Bain, Managing Partner (firm founded by Thomas P. Goranson and Angeline L. Bain)
- Founded: 1987
- Headquarters: 8350 North Central Expressway, Suite 1700, Dallas, TX 75206 (additional offices in Austin, Flower Mound, Fort Worth, Granbury, Midland, Plano, and San Antonio)
- Phone: (214) 373-7676
- Website: gbfamilylaw.com
- Practice Areas: Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, Property Division, Adoption, Paternity, Mediation, Complex Family Law Matters
- Firm Size: Large; the largest family law firm in Texas, with 56 attorneys across eight offices, including three former judges and 31 attorneys board certified in family law
- Google Rating: 4.9 ★★★★★ (97 reviews) | View on Google
About the Firm
Goranson Bain Ausley was founded in Dallas in 1987 by Thomas P. Goranson and Angeline L. Bain, and in 2018 it merged with the Austin firm Ausley, Algert, Robertson & Flores to form the statewide practice that exists today. The firm practices family law exclusively and has been named the number one family law firm in Dallas by Texas Lawyer. Its Dallas office, on the North Central Expressway corridor, handles divorces filed in Dallas County and surrounding counties.
The depth of the bench is the main differentiator: three former judges and 31 board certified family lawyers can be matched to cases involving complex property, contested custody, or mediation. That scale also means matters are staffed by a team, so a client typically gets less one-on-one time with a single senior attorney than at a boutique.
5. Law Office of Carol A. Wilson, PLLC
Firm Details
- Attorney: Carol A. Wilson, Principal
- Founded: 1995
- Headquarters: 3710 Rawlins Street, Suite 975, Dallas, TX 75219
- Phone: (214) 303-0142
- Website: cawilsonlaw.com
- Practice Areas: Divorce and Separation, Child Custody, Child Support, Wills and Living Wills
- Firm Size: Solo-led family law practice
- Google Rating: 4.6 ★★★★⯪ (9 reviews) | View on Google
About the Firm
Carol Wilson has led her own Dallas family law practice since 1995 and has been board certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1992. A graduate of SMU Dedman School of Law, she has held a Martindale-Hubbell AV rating since 1999 and has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, and D Magazine's Best Lawyers in Dallas. She served on the Dallas Bar Association Family Law Section board of directors from 2012 to 2018, became a Dallas Bar Foundation Fellow in 2016, and has volunteered as a Texas Family Law Foundation lobbyist.
Google reviewers describe a responsive attorney who keeps clients informed, and one review from opposing counsel credits her reputation with helping parties agree on procedural matters, which keeps costs down and makes settlement more likely. The 4.6 rating rests on nine reviews, a smaller base than most firms in this guide, and as a solo-led practice it has less bench depth for cases that need several lawyers at once.
6. Hargrave Family Law
Firm Details
- Attorney: Jennifer Stanton Hargrave, Founder
- Headquarters: 4201 Spring Valley Road, Suite 1210, Dallas, TX 75244
- Phone: (469) 415-1199
- Website: hargravefamilylaw.com
- Practice Areas: Collaborative Divorce, Contested Divorce, Uncontested Divorce, Military Divorce, Same-Sex Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, Spousal Support and Alimony, Property Division
- Firm Size: Boutique family law firm
- Google Rating: 4.9 ★★★★★ (215 reviews) | View on Google
About the Firm
Hargrave Family Law was founded by Jennifer Stanton Hargrave, an SMU Dedman School of Law graduate who has practiced since 1995 and is board certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Before turning to family law in 2006, she worked at a litigation firm and as in-house counsel for a financial services company. She is a member of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, the Dallas Bar Family Law Section, and Collaborative Divorce Texas.
The firm is built around collaborative divorce and settlement-focused strategies, while remaining able to try contested cases. It serves clients in Dallas, Denton, Collin, Ellis, Kaufman, and Rockwall Counties, and its 215 Google reviews give it one of the deeper review bases on this list.
7. Shemesh Family Law
Firm Details
- Attorney: Amber K. Shemesh, Founder
- Headquarters: 12222 Merit Drive, Suite 1200, Dallas, TX 75251
- Phone: (214) 432-2501
- Website: shemeshfamilylaw.com
- Practice Areas: Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, Spousal Support, Protective and Restraining Orders, Post-Decree Modifications and Enforcement, Mediation
- Firm Size: Small family law firm led by its founder, with a supporting team
- Google Rating: 4.5 ★★★★★ (103 reviews) | View on Google
About the Firm
Shemesh Family Law is led by Amber Shemesh, who has been a licensed Texas attorney since 2010 and earned her J.D. from St. Mary's University School of Law. She is a state-certified mediator and a former guardian ad litem, which lets her both litigate a divorce and help spouses settle it outside the courtroom, and she speaks and writes Spanish. She is a member of the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers and the Dallas Women Lawyers Association, and her Avvo profile shows a 4.8 average across 76 client reviews.
The firm handles post-decree modifications and enforcement in addition to the original divorce, which matters for families whose custody or support orders need to change after a job loss, relocation, or remarriage. Its 103 Google reviews average 4.5, with most reviewers praising Shemesh and her team for clear explanations and attentive staff.
8. OWLawyers® (O'Neil Wysocki)
Firm Details
- Attorneys: Michael D. Wysocki, Managing Shareholder, and Michelle May O'Neil, Partner
- Headquarters: 1845 Woodall Rodgers Freeway, Suite 1525, Dallas, TX 75201 (additional offices in Frisco, Fort Worth, and Houston)
- Phone: (214) 348-6723 (214-DIVORCE)
- Website: owlawyers.com
- Practice Areas: Contested Divorce, Child Custody, Business Valuation in Divorce, Family Law Appeals, Trial Litigation
- Firm Size: Large; family law only, with 14 attorneys reported in 2023 and four Texas offices
- Google Rating: 4.9 ★★★★★ (373 reviews) | View on Google
About the Firm
OWLawyers® practices family law exclusively and concentrates on litigating contested divorce and custody matters in trial courts across Texas, and the firm says it tries more bench and jury trials than any other family law firm in the state. Michael Wysocki was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 2006, became board certified in family law in 2011, and has been named a Texas Super Lawyer every year since 2014. Michelle May O'Neil has been named among the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Texas and the Top 100 Lawyers in Texas, and both partners have been named among D Magazine's Best Lawyers in Dallas.
O'Neil is also known for handling family law appeals for other lawyers' clients, and the firm regularly addresses business valuation in contested divorces. Its 373 Google reviews are the second-largest review base on this list, with reviewers naming individual attorneys such as Rachel Li, Patrick Clabby, and Ashley Cocklin. The firm's trial-first reputation suits cases headed to court more than those where both spouses want a quiet settlement.
9. Law Office of Chris Schmiedeke, PC
Firm Details
- Attorney: Chris Schmiedeke, Principal Attorney
- Founded: 2006
- Headquarters: 8144 Walnut Hill Lane, Suite 390, Dallas, TX 75231
- Phone: (469) 507-2050
- Website: chrislawyer.com
- Practice Areas: Contested Divorce, Uncontested Divorce, Same-Sex Divorce, Property Division, Spousal Support and Alimony, Child Custody Modification
- Firm Size: Small family law firm led by its principal attorney, with a team of attorneys and paralegals
- Google Rating: 4.7 ★★★★⯪ (326 reviews) | View on Google
About the Firm
Chris Schmiedeke has been licensed in Texas since 1993 and has led the Law Office of Chris Schmiedeke, PC since 2006, with an earlier practice under his own name from 1993. He has been a member of the Dallas Bar Association Family Law Section since 1993 and a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation since 2009. The firm works under the tagline "Divorce Simplified" and handles contested and uncontested divorce, same-sex divorce, property division, spousal support, and custody modifications.
Its public review record is one of the strongest on this list: 326 Google reviews at 4.7 and a 5.0 average across 164 Avvo reviews, where clients often point to clear written fee quotes, payment plans, and responsive paralegals. Because the practice is anchored by one principal attorney, the largest and most complex multi-party cases are handled by a smaller team than at the multi-office firms in this guide.
10. Alexandra Geczi PLLC
Firm Details
- Attorney: Alexandra M. Geczi, Founder (with attorneys Emily M. Teel and Kelsey B. Marsh)
- Founded: 2008
- Headquarters: 17250 Dallas Parkway, Suite 223, Dallas, TX 75248
- Phone: (214) 441-6118
- Website: familylawdfw.com
- Practice Areas: Divorce (Contested and Uncontested), Divorce Planning for Women, Child Custody, Property Division, Spousal Support, Premarital and Postnuptial Agreements, Mediation
- Firm Size: Small, multi-attorney family law firm focused on women going through divorce
- Google Rating: 4.9 ★★★★★ (56 reviews) | View on Google
About the Firm
Alexandra Geczi founded her practice in 2008 after starting her family law career as an associate at Goranson Bain, and she describes it as one of the few firms in the country focused exclusively on serving women through divorce and family law matters. She has been licensed in Texas since 2006, holds a mediation certification from El Centro College, and has been recognized by Texas Super Lawyers since 2011 and by D Magazine as a Best Lawyer. She has also written for the Dallas Bar Association's Headnotes and hosts a monthly Zoom workshop for women called "Ducks in a Row," which covers divorce planning.
Reviewers highlight the intake process and the team's patience in explaining financial and custody issues, including in low-conflict divorces. As a small firm, it does not have the bench of a multi-partner firm if several lawyers are needed at once.
Helpful Dallas Divorce Resources
These government, court, and bar resources provide additional information on filing and finalizing a divorce in Dallas County:
- Dallas County: Dallas County official website, county government services and departments.
- City of Dallas: City of Dallas official website, city departments, services, and resources.
- Dallas County Family District Courts: Family District Courts, the seven courts with original jurisdiction over divorce cases.
- Dallas County District Clerk, Civil and Family Rules: Rules and Guidelines for Civil and Family Courts, local rules and the Family District Court standing order.
- Dallas County District Clerk, Filing FAQs: Civil and Family Case Filing FAQs, how to file a divorce.
- Dallas County District Clerk, Family Records: Civil and Family Records, requesting divorce records and decrees.
- Texas Family Code: Chapter 6, Suit for Dissolution of Marriage, residency requirements and grounds for divorce.
- Texas Judicial Branch: Texas Courts, statewide court information and rules.
- TexasLawHelp.org: Self-help forms and explanations for Texas family law matters.
- Dallas Bar Association: Dallas Bar Association, including its family law section and lawyer referral resources.
- Texas Board of Legal Specialization: TBLS, the program that certifies Texas family law specialists.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dallas Divorce Lawyers
1. Where do I file for divorce in Dallas, and which court hears the case?
Divorces for Dallas County residents are filed with the Dallas County District Clerk at the George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building, 600 Commerce Street, Suite 103, Dallas, TX 75202. Cases are heard by one of the county's seven Family District Courts: the 254th, 255th, 256th, 301st, 302nd, 303rd, and 330th, and assignment among them is random under the local rules. Attorneys are required to e-file in Dallas County district courts, according to the District Clerk's filing FAQs. The District Clerk also posts a Family District Court standing order that governs the conduct of the parties regarding children, pets, and property while a case is pending. Firms such as the Law Office of Michael P. Granata and Cruz Arevalo, P.C. handle divorces filed in these courts. To get a copy of a decree later, note that the District Clerk's Civil and Family Records department is the custodian of divorce records and has suspended online access to family court records under a Texas Supreme Court order that took effect on January 1, 2014, so requests are handled by mail or in person through the family records page.
2. What are the residency and waiting-period requirements for a Texas divorce?
Under Texas Family Code Section 6.301, either spouse must have been a Texas domiciliary for the preceding six months and a resident of the county where the suit is filed for the preceding 90 days. Texas also imposes a 60-day waiting period after filing before a divorce can be granted, under Section 6.702. Filing in the wrong county can result in transfer or dismissal, so the 90-day county requirement is worth checking first, especially after a move within North Texas.
3. How is property divided in a Dallas divorce?
Texas is a community property state, and the court divides the marital estate in a manner it considers just and right, which does not always mean an even 50/50 split. Complex estates involving businesses, retirement accounts, and separate property claims often require asset tracing and valuation. The Law Office of Michael P. Granata and Alexandra Geczi PLLC both handle high-net-worth divorces, and OWLawyers® regularly addresses business valuation in contested cases. TexasLawHelp.org offers self-help explanations of property and debt division.
4. Can I get divorced without going to trial, and who offers collaborative divorce or mediation?
Yes. Many Dallas divorces resolve through mediation, negotiated settlement, or collaborative divorce, in which both spouses and their attorneys commit to resolving the case without litigation. Hargrave Family Law builds its practice around collaborative divorce, and Amber Shemesh of Shemesh Family Law, Alexandra Geczi, and Kala Arevalo of Cruz Arevalo, P.C. are trained mediators. Goranson Bain Ausley and Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson also list mediation among their services. Agreed divorces are still finalized by a judge in the Dallas County family district courts.
5. What does it mean to be board certified in family law in Texas?
Board certification is a designation granted by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization to attorneys who meet experience, peer-review, and examination requirements in a specialty area. Carol A. Wilson has held it since 1992, Michael Wysocki of OWLawyers® since 2011, and Richard Orsinger of Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson holds certification in both family law and civil appellate law. Jennifer Hargrave and Monica Cruz are also board certified in family law.
6. How do I choose between a solo or small firm and a larger divorce firm?
A solo-led practice such as Carol Wilson's, a small firm such as Chris Schmiedeke's, or a boutique such as the Law Office of Michael P. Granata typically offers more direct access to the principal attorney. Larger firms such as Goranson Bain Ausley, Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson, and OWLawyers® offer deeper benches, multiple offices, and in-house trial or appellate resources. The right choice depends on how contested the case is, how many assets and custody issues are involved, and whether you value continuity with one attorney. The Dallas Bar Association offers lawyer referral resources for people comparing options.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship with any firm or attorney mentioned. The firms are listed in no official order, and the list is not a ranking, an endorsement, or a guarantee of legal quality or case results. No courts, bar associations, or government agencies have endorsed the firms listed. Firm details such as attorneys, founding dates, office locations, practice areas, firm sizes, and Google ratings may change over time, and no attorney can promise a specific outcome in any case.
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