Family Law FAQ for Princeton, Texas

Princeton is in Collin County, so all family law cases — divorce, custody, child support, and property division — are filed in the Collin County District Courts in McKinney, Texas. McKinney is approximately 20 minutes west of Princeton via US-380. Lynda Landers' office is located near the courthouse at 1207 W. University Dr., Suite 102, McKinney, making it convenient to handle consultations and court appearances on the same trip.

Texas requires a minimum 60-day waiting period from the date the divorce petition is filed before any divorce can be finalized. A simple agreed divorce may be finalized shortly after the waiting period expires. Contested divorces in Collin County typically take 6 to 18 months, depending on the complexity of issues, the scope of discovery, and whether the case settles at mediation or proceeds to trial. Cases involving significant property disputes or contested custody tend to take longer.

A home purchased during the marriage with community funds is community property, regardless of whose name appears on the deed. In Princeton, where many homes are newly built, the key issue is often limited equity — the mortgage balance may be close to or even exceed the current market value. The three most common approaches are selling the home and dividing any proceeds, one spouse buying out the other by refinancing into their sole name, or a deferred sale arrangement where one spouse remains in the home temporarily. A current market analysis is essential because Princeton property values can change quickly in a developing market.

Custody orders in Texas establish which parent has the right to determine the child's primary residence, which in turn determines school enrollment within Princeton ISD. A thoughtful parenting plan accounts for the Princeton ISD school calendar, morning dropoff and afternoon pickup logistics, early release days, and extracurricular activities. If one parent moves outside the Princeton ISD boundary after the order is signed, the geographic restriction in the custody order and the school enrollment question may need to be revisited.

Most custody orders include a geographic restriction on where the child may reside — typically Collin County and contiguous counties. If you want to relocate outside that area, you need either the other parent's written agreement or a court-approved modification. The court evaluates whether the proposed move serves the child's best interest, considering factors like the reason for the move, the impact on the child's relationship with both parents, and the quality of life in the new location. Moving within the geographic restriction generally does not require court approval, though it may affect practical aspects of the possession schedule.

Texas uses a percentage-of-income model. The obligor (paying parent) pays a percentage of net monthly resources: 20% for one child, 25% for two, 30% for three, 35% for four, and 40% for five or more. Net resources include wages, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, and other sources, minus Social Security taxes, income taxes, health insurance premiums, and union dues. There is a presumptive cap on the net resources used in the calculation. Courts can order above-guideline support when the child's proven needs justify it. See our child support page for more details.

Texas does not legally require an attorney for an uncontested divorce. However, the Final Decree of Divorce is a permanent court order that is extremely difficult to modify after signing. Mistakes in how property is divided, how retirement accounts are addressed, or how parenting provisions are written can create problems that last for years. Attorney review of an agreed decree is one of the most cost-effective investments you can make in any divorce — the cost of fixing a drafting mistake after the fact almost always exceeds the cost of getting it right the first time.

Community property is anything acquired during the marriage by either spouse, with limited exceptions. Separate property includes assets owned before the marriage, inheritances received during the marriage, and gifts received during the marriage. Proving that an asset is separate property requires clear and convincing evidence — a higher burden than typical civil cases. In Princeton, where many families recently purchased homes, tracing the source of down payment funds — whether from pre-marriage savings, a prior home sale, or marital earnings — is often a critical issue in property division.

Yes. Child support can be modified when there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances since the last order was signed — or when at least three years have passed and the current guideline amount differs by 20% or $100 from the existing order. Common reasons Princeton families seek modifications include job changes resulting in increased or decreased income, the birth of additional children, changes in the child's medical or educational needs, and changes in custody arrangements that alter the identity of the obligor.

Lynda Landers' office is at 1207 W. University Dr., Suite 102, McKinney, TX 75069 — approximately 20 minutes from Princeton heading west on US-380. The office is near the Collin County courthouse where Princeton family law cases are heard, so consultations and court appearances can often be scheduled conveniently. See our contact page for detailed directions from Princeton.