Texas Family Law Attorneys

At DearLegal, we connect you with experienced Texas family law attorneys who can navigate Texas’s community property framework and Family Code.

Free to use — fees quoted upfront, before you commit
Matched with a Texas attorney in 24 hours
30,000+ plaintiffs served nationwide

Free Texas family law case review

A Texas attorney will take a look. Or call 1-833-WELEGAL.

How we match your Texas family law case

When you submit a Texas family law matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

Case type

A family law matter needs someone who handles family law work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

Size and complexity

Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

Jurisdiction and licensing

Your matter is decided under Texas law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in Texas who regularly appears where your case would be heard.

Capacity and fit

Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

Get started How DearLegal works

DearLegal provides marketing and matching services and is not a law firm. Submitting a case does not create an attorney-client relationship. Matches depend on case type, jurisdiction and firm availability.

Exhibit A

What happens with a family law claim in Texas

Day 0
You decide to act.
Separation, custody, support or a modification. Gather financials, the children’s schedules and any agreements or orders that already exist.
Within 24 hours
Tell us what happened.
Two minutes on this page. A Texas family law attorney reviews it for free and, if it’s a fit, you’re matched within 24 hours.
Weeks 1–4
Filing and disclosures.
The petition is filed and both sides exchange financial disclosures. Temporary orders for custody or support can be requested early in Texas.
Months 1–6
Negotiation or mediation.
Most cases settle here — parenting plans, division of property, support. Your attorney negotiates from the disclosures, not from guesses.
If it doesn’t settle
Hearing or trial.
Contested issues go before a judge. Preparation matters more than argument; your attorney builds the file for it from day one.
Resolution
Final order.
Fees are quoted before you commit — hourly or a retainer, spelled out in writing at the free consultation.

Residency Requirement: 6 months
6 months in Texas, 90 days in county (Tex. Fam. Code § 6.301); 60-day cooling-off period
Property Division System: Community Property
Community Property — just and right division (Tex. Fam. Code §§ 3.002, 7.001)
Custody Standard: Conservatorship
Conservatorship — joint managing conservatorship presumed (Tex. Fam. Code § 153.131)
Child Support Guidelines: 20%
Percentage of Obligor Income — 20% one child, 25% two, 30% three, 35% four, 40% five+ (Tex. Fam. Code § 154.125); capped at $9,200/mo net income (2019)
Spousal Support Framework: 20%
Spousal maintenance under Tex. Fam. Code Chapter 8 — strict eligibility, capped at $5,000/mo or 20% of payor income; duration limited (5/7/10 years based on marriage length)
Typical attorney fee: Hourly
Hourly / Flat Fee

Texas is one of nine community property states under Tex. Fam. Code § 3.002 — all property acquired during the marriage is presumptively owned 50/50. Texas allows no-fault divorce on insupportability (Tex. Fam. Code § 6.001) and has 6 fault grounds. Residency is 6 months in Texas and 90 days in the county before filing (Tex. Fam. Code § 6.301). Texas imposes a 60-day cooling-off period from filing before the divorce can be granted (Tex. Fam. Code § 6.702). Texas is unique in calling custody "conservatorship" — joint managing conservatorship is the statutory presumption under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.131. Texas spousal maintenance under Chapter 8 has strict eligibility requirements and is capped at $5,000/month or 20% of payor income, and limited in duration (5/7/10 years based on marriage length). Texas uses Percentage of Obligor Income for child support under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.125 — 20% of net resources for one child, capped at $9,200/month net income (effective 2019).

Exhibit B

When to call a family law attorney in Texas

Does any of this sound like you? Tap what applies.

Exhibit C

Family Law cases we take in Texas

Which one is closest to yours?

Uncontested divorce

When both spouses agree on all terms, Texas allows finalization at the 60-day waiting period via Agreed Final Decree of Divorce.

Sound like yours? A Texas attorney reviews it free — fees are quoted upfront, before you commit.

Start my free review

Exhibit D

How much do Texas family law attorneys cost?

Typical fee schedule

Texas · Family Law

Fee modelHourly / Flat Fee

Feequoted per petition or matter

Filing costsitemized upfront

Case reviewFree

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

Family Law matters in Texas are usually a flat fee per filing — quoted before you commit, not billed by the hour.

Family law cases in Texas are not handled on contingency. Texas Disciplinary Rule of Professional Conduct 1.04(e) — patterned on ABA Model Rule 1.5(d) — prohibits contingent fees in any matter where the fee is contingent on securing a divorce or on the amount of alimony, support, or property settlement. Texas family law attorneys charge hourly (billed against a retainer) or a flat fee for uncontested matters. Courts may award fees under Tex. Fam. Code §§ 6.708 and 106.002.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

Get startedTakes about two minutes. No obligation.

Exhibit E

What your Texas family law compensation can include

A Texas family law recovery is built from several parts. Tap one to see what it covers.

Property Division

Community Property under Tex. Fam. Code §§ 3.002, 7.001 — just and right division (presumptively 50/50). Separate property confirmed to the owner.

DearLegal is a legal referral service, not a law firm. We connect individuals with licensed attorneys who can evaluate their case. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. Results vary based on individual circumstances.

Exhibit F

Texas family law questions, answered

Still unsure? Tell us what happened and a Texas attorney will review it for free.

Start free review

At minimum, 60 days from filing — Texas’s cooling-off period under Tex. Fam. Code § 6.702. Uncontested divorces typically finalize at or shortly after 60 days. Contested cases generally take 6–12 months, longer in busy metros like Harris (Houston), Dallas, and Bexar (San Antonio) counties.

Yes. Insupportability is the primary no-fault ground under Tex. Fam. Code § 6.001 — discord or conflict of personalities that destroys the legitimate ends of marriage. Texas also recognizes 6 fault grounds: cruelty, adultery, conviction of a felony, abandonment for 1+ year, living apart for 3+ years, and confinement in a mental hospital for 3+ years.

No pre-filing separation is required for insupportability. The 3-year-separation ground requires 3 years of living apart. The 60-day cooling-off period from filing is the only mandatory waiting period.

Texas is a community property state. All property acquired during the marriage is presumptively community property and divided in a "just and right" manner under Tex. Fam. Code § 7.001 — usually but not always equally. Separate property (acquired before marriage, by gift, or inheritance) is confirmed to the owner. Reimbursement claims for one estate’s contributions to another are common.

Texas uses conservatorship instead of custody. Joint managing conservatorship (JMC) is statutorily presumed under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.131. One parent is typically designated to determine the child’s primary residence. Possession and access follow the Standard Possession Order (SPO) under Tex. Fam. Code § 153.252 unless modified.

Texas uses a Percentage of Obligor Income model under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.125 — 20% of net resources for one child, 25% for two, 30% for three, 35% for four, 40% for five or more. Capped at $9,200/month net income (effective September 2019, indexed periodically). Below the cap, the percentages are presumptive.

Yes. Conservatorship can be modified on a material and substantial change in circumstances. Child support requires substantial change or 20%+ deviation. Spousal maintenance modification depends on the order. Property division is final.