Divorce Costs in Texas
Community Property • No-Fault & Fault-Based
Filing Fee
$300
Avg. Attorney Rate
$300/hr
Timeline
4 months
Waiting Period
60 days
Property Division
Community Property
Fault Type
No-Fault & Fault-Based
Key Cost Factors
State Overview
Texas is a community property state, meaning marital assets are generally split 50/50.
Texas allows both no-fault and fault-based divorce grounds. There is a mandatory 60-day waiting period before a divorce can be finalized.
The average attorney rate in Texas is $300 per hour. An uncontested divorce typically costs $1,500 to $5,000, while a contested divorce can range from $12,000 to $45,000.
How to Reduce Divorce Costs in Texas
Consider an uncontested divorce. If you and your spouse can agree on key issues, an uncontested divorce in Texas can cost as little as $1,500 — saving tens of thousands compared to litigation.
Try mediation first. Mediation typically costs $3,000–$7,000 and can resolve disputes faster and cheaper than going to court.
File pro se for simple cases. If you have no children, minimal assets, and both agree, you can file without an attorney. Texas's filing fee is just $300.
Organize your finances beforehand. Having all financial documents ready reduces the hours your attorney spends on discovery, lowering your bill at $300/hr.
Use a limited-scope attorney. Instead of full representation, hire a lawyer only for specific tasks like reviewing your settlement agreement — this can cut attorney costs by 50–70%.
Key Facts About Divorce in Texas
- Residency Requirement: 6 months
- Grounds for Divorce: Insupportability (no-fault) or fault-based grounds
- Cooling-Off Period: 60-day waiting period
- Mediation: Optional but recommended
- Property Division: Community property (generally 50/50 split)
- Filing Fee: $300