At Hargrave Family Law, we help individuals and families in McKinney and across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex handle divorce with dignity and create a plan for what comes next.
As Collin County grew to 1,254,658 residents in 2024, family law issues have increasingly become more common for McKinney-area families. In a close-knit community like McKinney, we understand the importance of family and connection. Even in a town known for its hospitality and community spirit, broken families often need help building a brighter future.
Since 2013, our skilled legal team has guided clients through divorce matters using collaborative, non-adversarial strategies designed to protect children, assets, relationships, and long-term outcomes. Our firm focuses on empowering our clients to make informed decisions using creative and practical solutions with an eye toward their future, not the past. And we walk alongside our clients from start to finish, every step of the way.
Divorce law in Texas governs how a marriage legally ends as well as how issues such as property, debt, support, parenting time, and child-related decision-making are resolved. For McKinney families, divorce cases are handled through Collin County courts in northern Collin County.
At Hargrave Family Law, we will help you understand your options, stay focused on resolution, and move forward with a strategy aligned with your values and future goals for your family.
Our Divorce Services in McKinney
- Uncontested Divorce
- Contested Divorce
- Divorce for Men
- Divorce for Women
- High-Asset Divorce
- Collaborative Divorce
- Divorce Mediation
- Military Divorce
- Same-Sex Divorce
- Divorce for Business Owners
- Property Division
- Complex Asset Division
- Debt Division
- Spousal Support / Alimony
- Temporary Orders
- Divorce Involving Children
- Post-Divorce Modifications
- Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
WE WILL SPEAK FOR YOUR RIGHTS
Contact us for a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your options. You may find that you are entitled to payment if your claim was denied or underpaid.
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Why Choose Hargrave Family Law
Board-Certified Family Law Leadership
Board Certification in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization signals proven experience and tested knowledge in this area of law. We have board certified attorneys and paralegals on our team ready to guide you throughout your journey.
A Dignity-First Approach
Our firm focuses on collaborative, non-adversarial strategies that help reduce conflict and keep decisions aligned with your core values.
Proven Experience in Complicated Divorces
Our highly skilled legal team is equipped to handle divorces involving complicated issues such as structured/deferred executive compensation, vast real estate holdings, professional practices, business ownership, trusts, legacy wealth, and other high-value or complex assets.
Trusted, Recognized Counsel
Clients often look for respected credentials, and Hargrave Family Law brings them, including being selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® every year since 2013, and repeatedly selected for top Tier 1 Best Law Firms® recognition. Numerous lawyers have also been named by Texas SuperLawyers® for multiple years.
Support Beyond the Legal File
Our team will stay connected with you, allowing for clear communication throughout your case as well as compassionate check-ins on you as a human, helping you find resources that empower you and your family during and after the case.
Understanding Collaborative Divorce vs Litigation
Collaborative divorce is built around a focus on resolution and problem-solving outside the courtroom. Litigation puts decisions in a judge’s hands during what is often a more adversarial and public process. Collaborative divorce lets you make the decisions that are best for your family and to do so in private.
Most of our clients’ cases are resolved through agreement, mediation or collaborative divorce. That tells you negotiated resolutions are a meaningful path forward.
Collaborative divorce helps reduce the chance of your conflict playing out in the public courtroom, can help control costs, and provides the flexibility to create tailored solutions for your unique family.
At Hargrave Family Law, we know divorce is an emotional journey that reshapes your family. And we’re here as your legal advocates to empower you to build a foundation for your new future with confidence and clarity.
The Texas Divorce Process
1. Filing the Petition
One spouse starts the case by filing an Original Petition for Divorce in the proper Texas court. Texas has a 60-day waiting period in most cases before a divorce can be finalized.
2. Temporary orders and early planning
If needed, the court can address short-term issues like who stays in the home, parenting schedules, support, or access to accounts while the case is pending. This stage is often where priorities and potential opportunities for agreements start to become clear.
3. Financial disclosure and information gathering
Both sides exchange the documents needed to understand and value physical and financial assets, debts, income, and any separate property claims. In high-asset or complex property cases, careful review here is important, and may involve outside experts.
4. Negotiation and problem-solving
Many divorces are resolved through attorney-led negotiation, formal mediation, or collaborative divorce rather than public trial. Hargrave Family Law focuses on practical, non-adversarial solutions whenever possible, always keeping your goals and plans for the future in the forefront.
5. Final agreement or trial
If an agreement is reached, it is put into a final Decree or Order for the judge to sign. If not, the unresolved issues are decided by the judge in a public trial. Once the final Order is signed, there may be a few ancillary documents to complete regarding the transfer of property (such as vehicles), the transfer retirement funds, or setting up child support payments.
Learn About Hargrave Family Law
Founded in 2013, Hargrave Family Law is a boutique family law firm serving clients in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The firm is known across the Metroplex for helping people move through divorce in a way that protects their family, finances, and future peace. That means a strong focus on collaborative, non-adversarial strategies to reduce conflict, the number one driver of cost and delays in divorce. Our experienced team provides strategic legal guidance, custom and creative solutions, resources and support, and steady legal advocacy throughout the entire process. This allows our clients to divorce without unnecessary destruction.
Our firm includes attorneys and paralegals who are Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, bringing comprehensive experience to our handling of complicated divorce and family law matters.
Just as important, we provide you with clear options and information, practical support, and the ability to make informed decisions that reflect your values.
For many McKinney families, the goal is really not to “win” a divorce. It is to come through it with dignity and a solid plan for what comes next.
That same future-focused approach carries our clients toward crafting creative solutions that fit their unique family, answering the questions they have about protecting their children, property, and peace of mind, and setting them up with a brighter future moving forward.
High-Net-Worth Divorce Considerations in Texas
High-net-worth divorce in Texas often involves more than merely splitting bank accounts.
Business interests, medical or legal practices, complex structured executive compensation, real estate portfolios, trusts, legacy wealth, and separate property claims can all become complex issues that require strategic advocacy.
Texas is a community property state, but that does not always mean a simple 50/50 split. After identifying what is community and what is separate property, the real work often begins by determining how to value complicated assets correctly. This may involve forensic accounting, business valuation professionals, or tax advisors.
Privacy also matters. For many professionals, business owners, and public-facing individuals in McKinney and across Collin County, a long drawn-out public court fight can create risk far beyond the divorce itself by harming the reputation and standing of the client or their business or both.
A collaborative, holistic approach can help protect confidential financial details, preserve business operations, and reduce damage to family relationships and social/public standing.
Our Process for McKinney Clients
- First contact
You reach out to our firm and speak with a Client Care Coordinator, who gathers the basic details and helps move your matter in the right direction.
- Initial case evaluation
You then meet with our Client Intake Specialist for a case evaluation to discuss your concerns, goals, and possible paths forward.
- Review your options
Depending on your situation, the next step may be to take no immediate action, continue working on the marriage through counseling, move forward to retain the firm, or schedule a paid attorney consultation for legal advice.
- Attorney guidance when needed
If legal strategy is needed, you consult with an attorney to get advice tailored to Texas family law, including issues like property division, custody, and court requirements in Dallas-area counties.
- Ongoing support after you hire us
Once our firm is retained, your legal team handles the court case while our Client Care Coordinators continue checking in regularly to offer support, resources, and a steady point of contact beyond the legal work.
- Support that continues after the case
Even after the divorce is finalized, we stay in touch because moving forward with confidence matters just as much as getting through the case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce
Do I have to prove my spouse did something wrong to file for divorce in Texas, or can I just say the marriage isn’t working anymore?
Texas allows no-fault divorce, which usually means filing on insupportability, a legal way of saying the marriage can no longer continue because of conflict or discord. You do not have to prove adultery, cruelty, or some other fault just to get divorced. That said, fault can still matter in some cases involving property division, abuse, or support issues.
If my spouse and I mostly agree, do we still need lawyers, or can we just file papers ourselves in Collin or Dallas County?
You can file on your own, but that does not mean it is simple, risk-free, or advisable. Even agreed divorces can go sideways when retirement accounts, real estate, business interests, or parenting schedules are involved. Courts in counties like Dallas and Collin still expect the paperwork and final orders to be done correctly. Missing something important can be more costly to fix later than if you’d gotten legal counsel from the beginning.
How long do you actually have to wait to get divorced in Texas if everything is uncontested?
Texas has a 60-day waiting period from the date the divorce Petition is filed before a divorce can be finalized, with limited exceptions such as certain family violence situations. That is the legal minimum, not a promise that every case will finish that fast.
Final timing depends on how quickly paperwork is completed, whether both sides sign, and the court’s schedule. Most typical divorces take 6-9 months; divorces that involve more complex issues or that end up shifting to be highly contested can take one or more years.
Can collaborative divorce really work if we have a lot of money, kids, and a ton of tension?
Yes, collaborative divorce can be highly successful if both spouses are willing to be honest, stay at the table, focus on the future, and work toward resolution instead of punishment. Collaborative divorce is often a strong fit for high-asset families because it allows for private problem-solving around property, parenting, and support without turning every disagreement into a public court fight.
What happens if my spouse is hiding money or I think their financial disclosures are incomplete?
Texas divorce cases allow for formal information gathering, called discovery, which can include formal document requests, subpoenas, and, when needed, forensic accounting by an expert. If something feels off, it should be investigated before a final agreement is signed to ensure you are building the best financial future you can for you and your children.
If we have kids, will a judge in Texas automatically give us 50/50 custody?
Not automatically. Texas uses the terms conservatorship, possession, and access rather than using the word custody, and the default is what the Court determines is in the child’s best interest. Many families end up with customized schedules, not one-size-fits-all parenting time. Parents with challenging work schedules, such as law enforcement or healthcare workers, can develop a schedule that works and supports nourishment of the child’s bond with both parents.
What Clients Say About Hargrave Family Law
“The staff here was always responsive, clear in their communication, and truly made a difficult process much easier for everyone involved.” – Jeremy Y.
Clear communication can change the entire experience of a divorce or family law case. We keep clients informed, provide resources, and help make a difficult process feel more manageable from start to finish.
“Hargrave law firm handled my case with precision and in a timely manner.” – Keri H.
Clients come to Hargrave Family Law when they need careful legal work and dependable follow-through. Our team brings the necessary structure, in-depth preparation, and attention to detail to our clients’ family law matters, where strategy and precision can make a real difference.
“They were personable, caring, thorough and have been amazing all around.” – Liz R.
Family law clients need both strong legal support and human care. We combine thorough preparation with a personal approach, helping clients feel respected, heard, supported, and empowered during this stressful time of transition.
“They were very patient with me and fought hard to get me what I wanted.” – Daine C.
Divorce and family law issues can bring frustration, uncertainty, and emotional fatigue. We recognize this, and give our clients patient and clear guidance while still fiercely advocating for the best outcome possible for their family.
Local Resources in McKinney for Divorce
- Collin County District Courts
- Collin County District Clerk
- Collin County Law Library
- Collin County Self-Help Center
- Collin County Court Records Search
- Collin County eFileTexas
- Office of the Attorney General of Texas – Child Support Division
- McKinney Municipal Court
- City of McKinney Police Department
- McKinney Public Library
- McKinney Housing Authority
- North Texas Family Health Foundation
- Hope’s Door New Beginning Center
- Family Compass
- Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas
- Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program
Start Your Divorce with Clarity
If you are considering divorce in McKinney, the first step is getting clear on your options before conflict is allowed to take over.
At Hargrave Family Law, we help our clients move forward with a steady, strategic, informed approach that empowers families to build a new future with confidence and divorce without destruction. If your goal is a dignified, strategic divorce that sets you up for the future instead of unnecessary escalation and conflict that keeps you mired in the past, our firm may be a great option for you.
Start with a complimentary case evaluation with our Client Intake Specialist to understand your options and determine next steps. Move forward being the author of your next chapter with hope. We’re here to help.
