Family Court In Brazoria County
If you live in Baileys Prairie, Brazoria, Lake Jackson, or Iowa Colony and you’re facing divorce, custody, support, or enforcement issues, this page explains who hears family cases in Brazoria County, what to expect, and how to move forward—confidentially and efficiently—with a boutique, high-touch approach.
How family cases are handled in Brazoria County
In Brazoria County, family cases (divorce, SAPCRs, enforcements, CPS matters) are primarily heard in the 300th District Court and the 461st District Court. Other district courts (149th, 239th, 412th) are general-jurisdiction courts that may handle related matters or receive assignments, but the 300th and 461st are where most family dockets land.
Filing & the Family Department: All new family suits and subsequent filings go through the District Clerk’s Family Department (e-filing required in Texas).
Courthouse & logistics: Most hearings occur at the Brazoria County Courthouse, 111 E. Locust St., Angleton, TX 77515. Plan your route, parking, and arrival time accordingly.
Courts & Judges300th District Court (Family Court)
What this court hears: Divorce, custody, enforcements, CPS, paternity (it also hears felony matters). Brazoria County
Location & contacts (selected): 237 E. Locust, Angleton, TX 77515; Family Court Coordinator: Deana Lycka (email on county site). Brazoria County
Judge Chad D. Bradshaw — Presiding Judge
Associate Judge Leigh Hughes Lehmann — Associate Judge
461st District Court
What this court hears: General jurisdiction; heavily involved with family-law dockets in Brazoria County.
Location & contacts (selected): Courthouse, 111 E. Locust St., Angleton, TX 77515; Associate Judge Greg Donnell handles uncontested/CPS and family assignments.
Judge Joe “Patrick” Bulanek — Presiding Judge
Associate Judge Gregory L. Donnell — Associate Judge
Other Brazoria County District Courts
While the 300th and 461st carry the bulk of Brazoria County’s family docket, these general-jurisdiction district courts may be touched by related matters or assignments. Confirm your specific setting on your notice.
149th District Court — Judge Jessica Pulcher
412th District Court — Judge Justin R. Gilbert
Tip: Always read your Setting Notice—it identifies which court and judge will hear your matter; family cases in Brazoria are frequently set in the 300th or 461st, with Associate Judges handling significant portions of the docket.
Filing, Fees & Standing Orders (what to know before you file)
For Clients in Baileys Prairie, Brazoria, Lake Jackson & Iowa Colony
Discretion and speed matter. Complex estates--private businesses, physician or professional practices, restricted stock, retirement plans, real estate portfolios, and international assets—require tight characterization and valuation work and, often, protective orders to preserve status quo. I personally handle each matter I take—no hand-offs to a junior associate.
Concierge support includes:
Boutique, selective, and discreet.
If I take your matter, I handle your matter.
Free, confidential consultation for residents of Baileys Prairie, Brazoria, Lake Jackson, and Iowa Colony:
Quick Links (official)
How family cases are handled in Brazoria County
In Brazoria County, family cases (divorce, SAPCRs, enforcements, CPS matters) are primarily heard in the 300th District Court and the 461st District Court. Other district courts (149th, 239th, 412th) are general-jurisdiction courts that may handle related matters or receive assignments, but the 300th and 461st are where most family dockets land.
Filing & the Family Department: All new family suits and subsequent filings go through the District Clerk’s Family Department (e-filing required in Texas).
Courthouse & logistics: Most hearings occur at the Brazoria County Courthouse, 111 E. Locust St., Angleton, TX 77515. Plan your route, parking, and arrival time accordingly.
Courts & Judges300th District Court (Family Court)
What this court hears: Divorce, custody, enforcements, CPS, paternity (it also hears felony matters). Brazoria County
Location & contacts (selected): 237 E. Locust, Angleton, TX 77515; Family Court Coordinator: Deana Lycka (email on county site). Brazoria County
Judge Chad D. Bradshaw — Presiding Judge
- Background: Elected Nov. 2022; on the bench since Jan. 1, 2023. Previously the full-time Associate Judge of the 300th from 2013–2022—so he knows this docket inside out.
- Focus: Family cases (divorce, custody, enforcements, CPS, paternity) + felony.
- Style (practical takeaway): Judge Bradshaw is a sharp jurist. He "grew up" professionally inside the 300th as its associate judge, and he runs a process-savvy, family-docket-fluent courtroom where well-prepared lawyers who bring tight exhibits and clean timelines are rewarded.
Associate Judge Leigh Hughes Lehmann — Associate Judge
- Background: Lifelong Brazoria County resident; Texas A&M (undergrad) and South Texas College of Law; former Brazoria County prosecutor; private practice and solo in Alvin (since 2006) focused on family/criminal before joining the bench.
- What she handles: Proceedings assigned from the 300th (family docket). Courtroom workflow is efficient, and she expects clear facts first, arguments second.
461st District Court
What this court hears: General jurisdiction; heavily involved with family-law dockets in Brazoria County.
Location & contacts (selected): Courthouse, 111 E. Locust St., Angleton, TX 77515; Associate Judge Greg Donnell handles uncontested/CPS and family assignments.
Judge Joe “Patrick” Bulanek — Presiding Judge
- Background: Appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott to launch the newly created 461st effective Sept. 1, 2019 (initial term through Dec. 31, 2020, followed by election cycle).
- Style (practical takeaway): A case-throughput mindset—he was brought in when the 461st was created to add capacity; expects counsel to streamline issues and keep hearings focused.
Associate Judge Gregory L. Donnell — Associate Judge
- Background: Longtime Brazoria County practitioner and mediator; appointed Associate District Judge (effective Jan. 1, 2022); now hears the uncontested docket, CPS, and assigned family cases.
- Style (practical takeaway): Pragmatic and resolution-oriented on uncontested/CPS settings—bring clean proposed orders and proof-ready packets to keep things moving.
Other Brazoria County District Courts
While the 300th and 461st carry the bulk of Brazoria County’s family docket, these general-jurisdiction district courts may be touched by related matters or assignments. Confirm your specific setting on your notice.
149th District Court — Judge Jessica Pulcher
- Court & contact: See the 149th’s official page and contact directory (Room 462).
- Background: Elected 2022; licensed in Texas since 1996.
- Court & contact: 239th official page lists court location/phone. Brazoria County
- Background: Elected 2022
412th District Court — Judge Justin R. Gilbert
- Court & contact: Schedules and contact info on the 412th’s official page.
- Background: Re-elected 2022; third-generation Brazoria County attorney.
Tip: Always read your Setting Notice—it identifies which court and judge will hear your matter; family cases in Brazoria are frequently set in the 300th or 461st, with Associate Judges handling significant portions of the docket.
Filing, Fees & Standing Orders (what to know before you file)
- Where to file: The District Clerk’s Family Department accepts new suits and subsequent filings for family matters (via eFileTexas). Brazoria County+1
- Court-specific forms & guidance: The county hosts 300th District Court General Guidelines & Standing Order and Zoom/WebEx appearance info (as applicable). Always check for the latest. Brazoria County
- No universal county-wide standing order: Historically, Brazoria has not maintained a blanket standing order like some counties. If you need immediate protections (kids, property), your lawyer may seek temporary restraining orders tailored to your facts. (General guidance; confirm current local postings.) OWLawyers+1
- Courthouse logistics: Use the official address above for mapping/parking; allow extra time for security. Brazoria County+1
For Clients in Baileys Prairie, Brazoria, Lake Jackson & Iowa Colony
Discretion and speed matter. Complex estates--private businesses, physician or professional practices, restricted stock, retirement plans, real estate portfolios, and international assets—require tight characterization and valuation work and, often, protective orders to preserve status quo. I personally handle each matter I take—no hand-offs to a junior associate.
Concierge support includes:
- Early asset-mapping (entities, trusts, qualified plans) and valuation strategy
- Privacy-sensitive filings and communications where appropriate
- Settlement-first posture with trial-ready files—the best deals happen when you can credibly try the case
Boutique, selective, and discreet.
If I take your matter, I handle your matter.
Free, confidential consultation for residents of Baileys Prairie, Brazoria, Lake Jackson, and Iowa Colony:
- Call or message to schedule a private strategy session (phone or Zoom).
- You’ll get an initial roadmap—what to do this week, what to document, and how to protect assets and kids right now.
Quick Links (official)
- 300th District Court (Family Court): bio, contacts & guidelines.
- 461st District Court: judge, associate judge & contact info.
- District Clerk – Family Department: filing, fees & e-filing portal.
- Courthouse address & hours: plan your arrival.