Hiring a Divorce or Family Lawyer in Texas
How divorce lawyers in Texas charge, the state's filing rules, how to check a lawyer's license, and free or low-cost family law help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in Texas: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | Under Texas Disciplinary Rule of Professional Conduct 1.04(d), a contingent fee agreement must be in writing and state how the fee is determined; if the percentage differs for settlement, trial or appeal, each percentage must be stated. The agreement must state the litigation and other expenses to be deducted from the recovery and whether they are deducted before or after the fee is calculated. At the end, the lawyer must give the client a written statement describing the outcome and, if there is a recovery, the remittance and how it was determined. Rule 1.04(e) bars contingent fees for defending a criminal case. Rule 1.04(a) prohibits illegal or unconscionable fees. |
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| If you disagree with a lawyer's bill | The State Bar of Texas's Client-Attorney Assistance Program (CAAP), a confidential statewide dispute resolution service, helps clients and lawyers resolve minor disagreements and can help you communicate with your attorney about a fee, but it cannot recover fees or refunds. If you believe a fee is unjust or unsupported by the fee agreement or work performed, the bar advises filing a grievance; CAAP and the grievance process cannot be used at the same time. CAAP staff answer 1-800-932-1900. |
| If a lawyer takes your money | The State Bar of Texas Client Security Fund generally requires a grievance that results in findings that the lawyer stole the client's money or failed to refund an unearned fee, unless the lawyer is already disbarred, resigned in lieu of discipline or deceased, plus proof of the loss. Apply online within 18 months after the date of the disciplinary judgment. |
Texas rules to know first
| Residency requirement | At the time the divorce is filed, either spouse must have lived in (been domiciled in) Texas for the preceding six months and in the county where the case is filed for the preceding 90 days. If one spouse has lived in Texas for at least six months, a spouse living in another state or country may file in the county where the Texas spouse lives. Time a Texas resident spends away in military or government service counts as Texas residence. |
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| Filing fee | Fees are set locally. The Supreme Court of Texas-approved divorce form instructions say the filing fee may be between $150 and $300, depending on where you live, plus a separate fee if the clerk arranges service on your spouse. If you cannot pay court fees, you can file an Affidavit of Indigency asking the court to let you proceed without paying. Ask the district clerk in your county for the exact current fee. |
| Uncontested divorce | Texas has no separate summary divorce procedure, but the Supreme Court of Texas has approved a do-it-yourself form set for uncontested, no-fault divorces where the spouses have no minor children together and no real property. It is not for cases where the spouses disagree, the wife is pregnant, there is a disabled child, spousal maintenance is requested, either spouse owns or is buying real estate, or there is an ongoing bankruptcy. The other spouse can sign a waiver of service instead of being formally served. |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral & Information Service (LRIS) helps you find a lawyer or other resource matched to your legal needs and financial means; staff cannot give legal advice. For Bexar, Dallas, Harris, Jefferson, Travis and Tarrant Counties, use the local certified lawyer referral service listed by the State Bar. For all other counties, call (800) 252-9690 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. CST; Spanish spoken) or use the online referral. After the referral, you call to make an appointment; the lawyer provides up to a 30-minute consultation for no more than $20. LRIS has no participating attorneys who offer free or reduced-fee help, and fees after the consultation are set between you and the lawyer. |
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| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The State Bar of Texas's online membership directory (Find a Lawyer) provides basic information about attorneys licensed to practice in Texas. The bar notes the information is provided as is, without warranty, and that the directory is not a certified lawyer referral service. |
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | Grievances against Texas lawyers go to the State Bar of Texas Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel. Complete the current grievance form (effective October 1, 2025) through the bar's online submission system, or mail or fax it to State Bar of Texas, Chief Disciplinary Counsel's Office, P.O. Box 13287, Austin, Texas 78711 (fax 512-427-4315); outdated or incomplete forms are rejected, and supporting documents should be copies. Within 30 days the Chief Disciplinary Counsel classifies the grievance as an Inquiry (dismissed) or a Complaint (investigated, with the attorney asked to respond). A dismissed grievance can be amended and re-filed within 20 days of the dismissal notice, and dismissals can be appealed to the Board of Disciplinary Appeals. Grievance Information Helpline: 1-800-932-1900. |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | Free civil legal aid for low-income Texans is provided by regional legal aid programs. The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) lists three Texas grantees: Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, Lone Star Legal Aid, and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. The State Bar's LRIS page also links a self-service tool for finding free or reduced-fee legal resources by county. |
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All legal help in Texas · Do I need a lawyer?
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.