How Much Does It Cost to Get a Divorce in Texas? (Price Guide)

Texas divorce costs split into a small fixed part and a large variable part. The fixed part is the court filing fee, which depends on the county. The variable part is lawyer time, and it grows with every disputed issue, every hearing, and every month the case stays open.

The state also has a large gap between big metro areas and the rest of Texas. Attorney rates in Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio run well above those in smaller cities, so where you file and who you hire both matter. The figures here are published estimates, not quotes, and a licensed family law attorney in Texas can tell you what your case is likely to involve.

The cheapest route is an online service at $150 – $700, which prepares forms for spouses who already agree. Mediation, which DivorceNet lists at $3,000 – $8,000 in total, is usually split between the spouses.

Hiring a lawyer for an agreed case runs from $1,500 – $3,500 when the attorney gives limited help to $3,000 – $7,000 when the attorney handles everything. If the spouses fight but settle before trial, Farias Law Firm lists $15,000 – $30,000. A case that reaches trial is listed at $25,000 – $50,000 per spouse.

Note that the trial figure applies to each side. Two spouses who both hire counsel and go to trial pay separately.

The filing fee in Texas ranges from $305 – $360 depending on the county, according to Hello Divorce. A separate guide gives a typical figure of $350 for an uncontested case. Service of the papers, copies, and other clerk charges may come on top of that.

Texas courts generally allow people who cannot afford the fee to ask for a waiver. Contact the district clerk in your county for the current fee schedule and for how to apply.

Most Texas divorce attorneys bill hourly and ask for a retainer before starting.

OnlineDivorceTexas lists an average of $350/hr. In the four largest metro areas, Farias Law Firm puts rates at $250 – $500/hr, against $150 – $300/hr in smaller cities and rural areas.

If you live near a metro area but not in it, an attorney in a smaller neighboring county may charge less. Ask whether the lawyer handles cases in your county's court regularly, since local familiarity can save time.

The state fee is a few hundred dollars at most, yet totals reach five figures quickly. The difference is time. A few things add it.

• Disagreements about children, including conservatorship and a possession schedule
• Property that has to be sorted into separate and community categories, which can involve appraisals
• Business interests or retirement accounts that need valuation
• Temporary orders hearings while the case is pending
• Discovery, which means exchanging documents and answering written questions

Texas is a community property state, which generally means property acquired during the marriage is divided between spouses. How the court treats a particular asset can be complicated, so get advice from a licensed family law attorney in Texas rather than relying on a price guide.

Attorney rates, not court fees, drive most of the difference between Texas cities. A spouse in Houston or Dallas faces higher hourly rates than one in a small town, and a county with a heavy docket may mean more hearings or longer waits. Court fees also vary by county, as the range above shows.

If you live in a smaller county, ask about travel time and whether the attorney bills for it.

Different sources reach different totals because they define the case differently. Farias Law Firm gives a single figure of $12,500, while OnlineDivorceTexas gives a range of $11,000 – $25,000 for a moderately contested divorce. Neither is wrong. They describe different mixes of cases, and some figures are per spouse while others cover both.

Check these things when you compare numbers:

• Whether the figure is per spouse or for the whole case
• Whether it includes court costs, experts, and mediation
• Whether children or business assets are involved

• Settle as many issues as you can before hiring anyone
• Ask about limited-scope help if you only need a lawyer to review an agreement
• Try mediation before filing a fight
• Keep communication with the lawyer organized, since each call or email can be billed
• Ask for a written fee agreement and monthly statements