Dallas family law · Turtle Creek
Family law attorney, mediator and parenting facilitator in Dallas
More than 25 years of Dallas family law. John B. Polk represents women and men in divorce and custody cases, and settles disputes as a neutral mediator and parenting facilitator.
Call the office: 214-599-2020
- Women and men
- In person or Zoom
- Parenting facilitator since 2012
Three services, one office
Your attorney, your mediator or your parenting facilitator
Family law representation
John as your attorney in a divorce, custody, support or property case, from the first filing through settlement or trial. Women and men.
Schedule a consultationDivorce and family law mediation
John as a neutral mediator, for spouses or for the attorneys who represent them. At the Turtle Creek office or over Zoom.
Book mediationParenting facilitation
For co-parents stuck on the same arguments after the order is signed. A parenting facilitator for Dallas–Fort Worth families since 2012.
Book a facilitation sessionNew from John and Emily Polk
Meet CPiQ: co‑parenting intelligence.
A practical tool designed to help parents communicate more calmly, reduce conflict and stay focused on their children. Built from years of parenting facilitation.
BeforeYou never tell me anything! Why am I always the last to know about the kids?
AfterCould we agree to share important updates about the kids as soon as possible? I’d appreciate being kept informed so we can plan together.
Illustrative example written for this page. It is not a real user’s message and not actual CPiQ output.
- The TranslatorScores a message and suggests a calmer version before you send it.
- The Lessons20 short lessons with a certificate of completion.
- Your progressScores, badges and message history over time.
Practice areas
What John handles
Family law mediation
Settle it at a table, not in a courtroom.
Divorce mediation is a confidential meeting where a neutral mediator helps spouses settle property, custody and support without a trial. In Texas, a mediated settlement agreement that meets Texas Family Code § 6.602 or § 153.0071 is binding and cannot simply be revoked, and the court enters judgment on it. John B. Polk is a Dallas family law mediator who has resolved hundreds of cases in mediation, as an attorney or as the mediator, in person or over Zoom.
- Call or bookCall 214-599-2020 or use the contact form, or have your attorney book the date. You choose the Turtle Creek office or Zoom.
- PrepareEach side gathers financial records, an inventory and any proposals. Lawyers, if involved, share the key documents and issues ahead of time.
- Mediation dayJohn meets with both sides, often in separate rooms, and carries proposals back and forth. The conversation stays confidential.
- Sign the agreementIf you settle, the terms are written into a mediated settlement agreement and signed. If you settle part, the rest goes to the judge.
Why work with John B. Polk
Experience in the Dallas family courts, from every seat at the table.
- More than 25 years in Dallas family law
- Licensed by the State Bar of Texas since 1999, with a practice that has stayed in Dallas family courts.
- Prepared for trial, aiming to settle
- Every litigated case is prepared as if it will be tried, so any settlement is reached from a position of strength.
- Has sat on both sides of the table
- Hundreds of cases resolved in mediation, as an attorney or as the mediator, and parenting facilitation since 2012.
- Teaches other family lawyers
- Speaker and author for Dallas Bar and State Bar of Texas programs, including on custody orders that cross state lines.
How it works
From the first call to a plan
- 01
Call or send a note
Call 214-599-2020 or use the form. Say briefly what is happening; keep confidential details for the conversation with John.
- 02
Consultation
Meet John at the Turtle Creek office or over Zoom. Bring any orders, petitions or agreements you already have.
- 03
A clear path
John explains where you stand under Texas law and the realistic options: an agreement, mediation, collaborative law or court.
- 04
Next steps
If you go ahead, John explains the scope of the work and how fees work before anything is filed or scheduled.
Testimonials
What clients and other attorneys say
Excellent attorney! John was thorough and saw the big picture, even when my vision was cloudy. He recommended taking the high road explaining that I would eventually be held accountable for my actions during this case. As hard as it was to follow, it worked. My ex did not get the same advice (or just refused to follow it) and it resulted in a very favorable settlement for me. I would not hesitate to recommend John to anyone going through a tough divorce.
I highly recommend John for anyone going through a divorce. He was always available to give advice and strategize. I interviewed many firms big and small but chose John because of his experience and personal touch. He was very responsive. I felt like he was truly invested in making sure that I had the best outcome possible, and I believe that I did. Call John if you want a great lawyer who treats his clients like family.
John is an exceptionally skilled family law litigator. His knowledge of the law, commitment to preparation and courtroom presence combine to make John one of the most well respected and admired attorneys amongst his peers.
Answers to the questions people ask first
How do I start a divorce in Dallas, Texas?
You start a divorce by filing an Original Petition for Divorce with the Dallas County District Clerk, once you or your spouse has lived in Texas for six months and in Dallas County for 90 days. Your spouse is then served or signs a waiver of service. The court cannot grant the divorce before the 60th day after filing.
Who is a good divorce lawyer in Dallas?
A good Dallas divorce lawyer has years of family law experience in Dallas County courts, explains the options plainly, and gives you a candid assessment rather than promises. Look for someone who handles both settlement and trial, so the case is not pushed one way for the lawyer's comfort. John B. Polk has practiced family law in Dallas for more than 25 years, as a trial lawyer and as a family law mediator.
Is divorce mediation cheaper than going to court?
Usually it costs less than a trial, because one negotiated day replaces months of hearings, discovery and trial preparation. The mediator's fee can be shared between the spouses, and each spouse still pays their own lawyer if they have one. How much you save depends on how many issues you settle and how prepared you arrive.
What does a parenting facilitator do in Texas?
A parenting facilitator helps parents carry out an existing custody order. The facilitator works on the issues the court lists, such as reducing misunderstandings, solving disputes and monitoring compliance with the order. The process is not confidential, and the facilitator can report to the court and make recommendations to implement or clarify the order, but cannot change it.
Does the mother automatically get custody in Texas?
No. Texas Family Code § 153.003 requires the court to decide custody without regard to the sex of the parent. Both parents start with a presumption of joint managing conservatorship, and the court decides who sets the primary residence based on the child's best interest. For unmarried parents, the father must first be legally established as the father.
How much child support would I pay if I make $100,000 a year?
It depends on your net resources and the number of children, not the $100,000 alone. The court subtracts federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare taxes and the child's insurance cost from your gross income to reach a monthly net figure, then applies 20% for one child, 25% for two, and so on. At that income your monthly net resources fall below the $11,700 cap, so the percentage applies to all of it. The Texas Attorney General publishes a calculator, and John can run the exact figure with your pay records.
How much does an uncontested divorce cost in Texas?
There is no set price; it depends on what the agreement must cover. County filing fees apply, and children, a house, and retirement accounts all add drafting. It costs much less than a contested divorce because there are no hearings or discovery fights.
Does everything get split 50/50 in Texas?
No. Texas courts divide community property in a "just and right" way, which can be equal or unequal depending on the facts. Separate property is not split at all. Factors such as earning capacity, fault in the breakup and the size of each spouse's separate estate can move the division away from 50/50.
Guides
