REQUIRED STEPS FOR UNCONTESTED CASES INVOLVING SELF-REPRESENTED LITIGANT WITH CHILDREN

The court requires you to make an in-person appointment with the Domestic Relations Office (DRO) to review your completed documents following the waiting period.  The DRO will not complete or review blank documents.

Before your case can be finalized, an attorney employed by the Tarrant County Domestic Relations Office (DRO) will review your paperwork to make sure your order is in the correct format for the Court. This attorney does not represent you or your spouse and cannot give you legal advice. Their role is only to explain the Court’s rules and preferences and to help the Court’s process run smoothly.

Getting information from this attorney does not create an attorney‑client relationship between you and the Domestic Relations Office (DRO). You may choose to get your own legal advice from a private attorney at any time.

STEP ONE: COMPLETE THE MANDATORY WAITING PERIOD

1.     The mandatory waiting period.
         a.  In divorce cases, you shall wait 60 days after you filed the case.
         b.  In any case involving service, you shall wait at least 27 days after service was accomplished
                i.  NOTE: This might extend the waiting period beyond the 60 days required for a divorce.
 

STEP TWO: BE CERTAIN THE RESPONDENT HAS NOTICE OF THE LAWSUIT BY EITHER:

1.     Showing the Respondent has agreed
         a.  evidenced by their notarized signature on a filed Waiver of Service or
         b.  filed an Answer with the Court, OR

2.     Showing the Respondent was formally served with the paperwork by either:
         a.  a constable or a private process server, OR
         b.  a Court approved method for alternative service. NOTE: You MUST prove all requirements for alternative service, including obtaining any necessary court orders, have been met.


Note: The DRO attorney can only review uncontested cases

Agreed: when you and the other party agree and sign off on all terms of the case, OR

Default: when you meet all service and filing requirements for a default judgment.


STEP THREE: MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DRO

1.     Complete the pre-registration Portal Intake Form at:
         https://tcbpm.appianportalsgov.com/IntakePortal

                       QR Code

2.     The DRO will contact you using the information you provided.

 

NOTE: Each court has its own specific process for cases reviewed by the DRO. The DRO Attorney can explain how your court prefers to handle the finalization of cases for people who represent themselves. If you have questions about when the order or decree will be officially entered, you can visit your court’s clerks on the 3rd floor of the Tarrant County Family Law Center (TCFLC) for more information about the timeline.