Houston Divorce Lawyer Cost & Fees Associated With Divorce.
Texas Divorce Cost
Many couples who want to file for divorce are often worried about how much it will cost to do that. The truth is that there is no specific cost of divorce because it all depends on several factors.
Uncontested Divorce Pricing
NOTE: Dollar amounts may change due to market conditions and the complexity of your specific family law issue. Below are some factors that can affect the price of your family law representation in Texas:
- Divorce with no children, no property, no house
- Divorce with a house, but no children, no property (cars, bank accounts, furniture, etc.)
- Divorce with property and house to be divided, but no children involved
- Divorce with children involved, but no property to be divided, and a standard possession order (1st, 3rd, 5th weekends)
- Divorce with children involved but no property and a custom possession order
- Divorce with children involved, and with property to divide, but no house, and a standard possession order
- Same as above, but with a custom possession order
- Divorce with children involved, with property and house to divide, and a standard possession order
- Same as above, but with a custom possession order
NOTE: *Retirement accounts need a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO). If your family law issue involves certain retirement accounts, then the price of your family law representation is likely to increase depending on the complexity of your financial situation and QDRO.
Contested Divorce Cost in Texas
The family law attorneys at Longworth Law Firm, P.C. handle contested divorce cases on a retainer basis, and each one is individually priced.
According to certain online resources, if you’re wondering about the cost of a contested divorce in Texas, the average can range from $15,600 to $23,500. However, the actual cost can vary significantly based on the specifics of your case. The following are key factors that influence the total cost of a contested divorce in Texas:
- Attorney Fees: The complexity of the case and the attorney’s experience can greatly affect the overall cost. Contested divorces usually require more legal hours.
- Court Fees: Filing fees and other court-related expenses contribute to the total cost.
- Duration of the Divorce Process: Longer divorces with more hearings, depositions, and motions will increase costs.
- Complexity of Assets: Dividing complex assets, such as businesses, real estate, or retirement accounts, often requires additional legal and financial expertise.
- Child Custody and Support Issues: Disputes over custody and support can lead to increased legal fees due to the need for additional court time and expert witnesses.
- Mediation or Arbitration: Mediation or arbitration services can increase costs, although they may reduce court time.
- Expert Witnesses: Hiring experts, such as financial analysts, psychologists, or appraisers, can significantly increase the cost.
- Level of Dispute Between Parties: High-conflict divorces typically involve more legal intervention, driving up costs.
- Geographic Location: Costs can vary depending on the region within Texas, as legal fees and court costs can differ from one area to another.
For example, a divorce that takes a long time to be finalized would cost more than one that takes a shorter time. However, your lawyer may be able to estimate what a divorce will cost you based on the information you give your lawyer. Any estimate may change depending on what your ex decides to do during the divorce process. The only thing you can be sure of is that filing fees will cost you about $300 or more to file your divorce petition with the court.
How to Get Divorced in Texas
Parties that want to divorce can either reach an agreement on the divorce terms or go to trial if they cannot agree. If they decide to go to trial, it is up to the court to settle the issues you and your spouse disagree on. Since divorce attorneys and lawyers and their staff bill hourly, the cost of the divorce will continue increasing the longer it takes the two parties to reach an agreement.
Average Cost of Divorce In Houston
You should know that the average hourly rate for a divorce attorney in Texas will vary based on experience level and other factors.
However, instead of going straight to trial because of a disagreement, you can choose other alternatives, such as mediation or collaborative divorce. If you cannot agree to use these alternatives, then going to trial remains the only logical option.
What Determines Divorce Cost?
Certain online resources state that the average cost of a divorce in Texas is about $ 15,600-$23,500. The cost may also be much lower, or higher, than that, depending on the nature of your divorce. The following are some of the factors that determine the total cost of your divorce:
Are there children involved?
Children are a blessing to any couple, but during divorce, they can be the main reason the divorce takes a long time to finalize. It takes so long because of conservatorship and child support issues.
Will you fight in court?
Divorces that go to trial are often very expensive. What makes them expensive is the time spent in multiple mediations and Temporary Order Hearings. Preparing your case for trial will also take several additional hours. Remember, in certain cases, you will pay your lawyer an hourly rate.
Uncontested Divorce in Houston?
A couple may decide to have an uncontested divorce if neither is seeking alimony or filing for bankruptcy and they have no properties or retirement benefits to divide. However, Texas law does not allow for an uncontested divorce when a couple has children under the age of 18.
The bottom line is that couples should cooperate if they want to save money during the divorce process. However, a divorce is such an emotional process that it may be difficult for couples to go through it without clashing. That is why you need an experienced divorce attorney who can inform you of your rights, options, and the cost of divorce.
Family Law FAQ
Common Law Marriage & Divorce in Texas
Read our Common Law article here.
Find Divorce Lawyer Near Me
How much does a Houston divorce attorney cost?
Depends on whether your divorce is contested or uncontested. The more you “fight” the more your lawyer fees are likely to increase. Some attorneys will do a flat fee divorce if your divorce is uncontested. Otherwise you may be looking at an hourly rate based on how much time your attorney must spend “litigating” your case. Call our office, we can typically give you a estimate over the phone.
Do you offer a flat fee divorce if my spouse and I are not going to fight?
Our law firm has a flat fee divorce option for certain UNCONTESTED divorces. Call Longworth Law Firm for more information.
Can I get sole custody of the kids?
Regarding custody, the court will determine what is in the best interests of the child. If you have evidence that it would be in the best interest of the children for you to have sole custody, then you should share that with your lawyer so that they can build this case for you.
How do I find the best Houston family lawyer?
Divorce is a very “personal” issue. You should meet with your potential lawyer in person. Sit down and talk about how the divorce case will play out, what sort of issues you should be aware of, and your best wishes for how the divorce will look.