Texas • Uncontested • No minor children
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Divorce Cost Estimate
Texas Divorce Cost Calculator
Estimate divorce costs in Texas using state-specific filing fee, attorney rate, mediation, children, property, and case complexity assumptions.
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Filing fee$350
Service of process$75
Attorney range$2,992 - $5,984
Mediation$500
These estimates are for planning only. They use the existing state-specific filing, attorney, and mediation assumptions and are not legal advice.
Texas Divorce Cost Snapshot
Use this 2026 Texas divorce cost guide to compare filing fees in major counties, attorney and mediation expenses, Texas's 60-day minimum waiting period, community-property rules, and the cost difference between agreed and contested cases.
CategoryTypical range
County divorce filing fee$350–$401
Texas family-law rate$375/hr average
Uncontested planning range$3,000–$8,000
Contested planning range$15,000–$50,000+
Private mediation$600–$4,000+
Planning timeline2–18+ months
How Much Does Divorce Cost in Texas?
A Texas divorce may begin with $350–$401 in county court filing fees, but attorney time, custody disputes, discovery, mediation, valuations, retirement accounts, real estate, and trial preparation can increase the total substantially.
Clio's March 2026 rate data reports an average of $375 per hour for Texas family lawyers. Actual rates vary by lawyer, location, and experience, so the ranges on this page are planning estimates—not statewide averages, legal advice, or attorney quotes.
Texas is a community-property state, but a court does not simply have to split every asset 50/50. Texas Family Code § 7.001 directs the court to divide the estate in a manner it considers just and right.
Local court charges are only the starting point in Texas; attorney involvement, property issues, mediation, and contested proceedings can have a much larger effect on the final budget. See our national guide to divorce costs for a deeper explanation of how those expenses fit together.
Texas Divorce Filing Fees by County
Texas divorce cases are filed locally. The initial amount depends on the county and, in some counties, whether children are involved. Service, citation, copies, payment processing, and later filings may cost extra.
County2026 filing feeWhat to know
Travis County$350; $365 with childrenBase fee; the child-related DRO fee adds $15. Court source
Tarrant County$350; $401 with childrenA cited county example totals $499 after citation and service. Court source
Bexar County$350; $401 with childrenPublished family-case filing fees; process costs are separate. Court source
Harris County$350; $365 with childrenFiling fee only; issuance and service are calculated separately. Court source
- The initial filing fee may not include issuance or service of process, certified copies, later motions, or electronic-payment charges.
- A person who cannot afford court costs may file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs; eligibility is determined under Texas court rules.
Texas Divorce Rules That Can Affect Cost
60-day minimum waiting period
Texas Family Code § 6.702 generally prevents a court from granting a divorce before the 60th day after filing. Limited family-violence exceptions apply, and 60 days is a minimum—not a guaranteed completion date.
Community-property rules
Property acquired during marriage is generally presumed community property, while qualifying property may remain separate. Characterization, tracing, reimbursement claims, and valuation disputes can add professional cost.
Just-and-right division
Community property does not automatically mean an equal split. Section 7.001 requires a just-and-right division with due regard for each spouse and any children of the marriage.
County-specific court costs
Texas counties publish their own schedules. Cases involving children may add statutory fees, and citation, service, copies, and later filings can change the amount due.
Uncontested vs. Contested Divorce Costs in Texas
Agreed or uncontested Texas divorce
- The spouses agree on property, debts, support, and parenting terms.
- Fewer hearings, discovery requests, and attorney hours are usually needed.
- The 60-day statutory minimum generally still applies.
Contested Texas divorce
- Custody, property, support, business, or retirement issues remain disputed.
- Discovery, depositions, appraisals, mediation, and experts can add cost.
- Trial preparation can push the total well beyond the planning range.
How Much Does Divorce Mediation Cost in Texas?
Private Texas mediators often bill hourly or in half-day and full-day blocks. The mediator's charge is separate from each spouse's attorney preparation and attendance.
Half-day session
$600–$2,000Full-day session
$1,200–$4,000+These are broad planning ranges, not statewide averages. Court-connected dispute-resolution centers may offer lower-cost services to qualifying participants, while experienced private mediators and complex matters may cost more.
How Long Does Divorce Take in Texas?
Texas minimum waiting period
At least 60 daysExcept for limited statutory exceptions, the court cannot grant the divorce before the 60th day after filing.
Simple agreed divorce
Often 2–4 monthsPaperwork must still be completed and the judge must approve and sign the final decree.
Moderately contested divorce
Often 6–12 monthsNegotiation, discovery, mediation, temporary orders, and court scheduling extend the case.
Complex contested divorce
Often 12–18+ monthsCustody disputes, valuations, experts, extensive discovery, and trial scheduling can add significant time.
Example Texas Divorce Scenarios
These examples illustrate how different facts can change a planning range. They are not predictions or legal quotes.
Agreed Travis County divorce
- No minor children
- No real estate
- Limited shared assets
- Complete written agreement
Illustration using the $350 base filing fee plus $3,000–$6,000 in professional help; service and other charges may be additional.
Tarrant County divorce with children
- Two children
- Parenting-plan negotiations
- Jointly owned home
- Private mediation expected
The $401 filing fee is a small part of the total when attorney time and parenting negotiations are involved.
Contested Texas divorce with assets
- Home and retirement accounts
- Business ownership
- Property-characterization dispute
Forensic accounting, valuation, depositions, experts, and trial preparation can increase this illustration substantially.
How Texas Residents Can Reduce Divorce Expenses
At a reported $375 average hourly rate for Texas family lawyers, reducing avoidable billable time can matter far more than small differences in court fees.
Organizing records and narrowing disagreements can reduce avoidable professional time. The attorney fee and retainer guide explains how lawyers bill and which tasks can shape the final legal bill.
- 01
Organize bank, mortgage, tax, and retirement records before sending them to counsel.
- 02
Identify disputed and undisputed property early.
- 03
Consolidate routine questions instead of sending repeated attorney emails.
- 04
Consider mediation before disputes escalate toward trial.
- 05
Keep an accurate inventory of community and claimed separate property.
- 06
Ask which appropriate tasks can be handled by a paralegal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does divorce cost in Texas?
A professionally assisted agreed divorce may cost roughly $3,000–$8,000, while a contested case may cost $15,000–$50,000 or more. These planning ranges vary with attorney time, children, property, experts, mediation, and trial preparation.
What is the filing fee for divorce in Texas?
The counties reviewed for this guide charge $350 for a divorce without children and $365–$401 for a divorce with children. Citation, service, copies, card processing, and later filings can cost extra.
How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Texas?
Clio's March 2026 data reports an average hourly rate of $375 for Texas family lawyers. An individual lawyer's rate may be lower or higher based on location, experience, and the work required.
How long does a divorce take in Texas?
Texas generally requires at least 60 days after filing. A simple agreed case may finish in 2–4 months, while contested matters can take 6–18 months or longer. Those are planning ranges, not deadlines.
Does Texas require you to wait 60 days for a divorce?
Generally, yes. Texas Family Code § 6.702 sets a 60-day minimum measured from filing, with limited exceptions tied to certain family-violence convictions, deferred adjudications, and protective orders.
Is Texas a 50/50 divorce state?
Not automatically. Texas uses community-property rules, but Family Code § 7.001 tells courts to divide the estate in a manner that is just and right rather than requiring an equal split in every case.
Can I get divorced without a lawyer in Texas?
A person may represent themselves, and TexasLawHelp provides forms and guidance for qualifying simple cases. Legal advice is especially valuable when children, safety, support, real estate, retirement, businesses, or disputed property are involved.
Can Texas divorce filing fees be waived?
A person who cannot afford court costs may submit a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. The court applies Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145 to determine whether costs must be waived.
How much does divorce mediation cost in Texas?
A broad planning range is about $600–$2,000 for a half day or $1,200–$4,000 or more for a full day. Attorney preparation and attendance are separate, and some dispute-resolution centers offer lower-cost options.
Does a Texas divorce cost more when children are involved?
It can. Some counties charge additional filing fees, while parenting plans, child support, custody disputes, evaluations, mediation, and temporary orders can add attorney and professional time.