3730 Kirby Dr #1200, Houston, TX 77098
Thornton Esquire Law Group divorce attorneys in Houston have more than 30 years of experience handling cases with clients going through contested or uncontested divorce. They also deal with custody, child support, visitation, enforcement, contempt of court, and adoption disputes.
Managing Attorney, Rahlita D. Thornton handles and evaluates high-profile divorce cases. The law firm offers a free consultation with the possibility of an online meeting. They also have the option of signing an electronic contract.
1004 Prairie St., Suite 300, Houston, TX 77002
Law Office of Matt Tyson is a law firm with location in Houston, Texas. These attorney practices in divorce areas such as child custody, possession and access, child support, and property division. They also handle cases of modifications, adoption, and grandparents’ rights.
This firm works at an hourly rate and offers a retainer refund if there is money left in your account after the end of the case. Houstonia Magazine recognized founder Matt Tyson as one of Houston’s top attorneys. The National Trial Lawyers Association also named him to its “Top 40 Under 40” list.
440 Louisiana St Ste 956, Houston, TX 77002
The Larson Law Office provides aggressive legal representation for clients in the Texas area. Eric and Diana are top-rated divorce attorneys who have each practiced for over 20 years. They not only represent parties in divorce cases but are also good mediators. These lawyers will select the settlement options available to you.
The Larson Law Office is AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has a “Superb” rating on Avvo. Since 2010, Larson Law Office has also been an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating.
112 West 4th Street, Houston, TX 77007
Von Dohlen Law Firm focuses on family law. Top divorce lawyer and founder Robert Von Dohlen can solve sensitive issues related to child custody and support, distribution of debt, stepparent issues, and property division. He was selected for the Rising Stars program among lawyers and was also recognized as a “Super Lawyer” for 2019-2022.
This law firm also handles cases of divorce due to domestic violence and business division. They also offer mediation and negotiation to simplify your divorce process.
440 Louisiana St, Suite 977, Houston, TX 77002
The Longworth Law Firm is one of the top-rated family law attorneys in Houston. They deal with divorce, child custody, adoption, modifications, enforcement of court orders, and premarital agreements. The Longworth Law Firm excels in negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and trial. These Houston divorce attorneys use a hands-on approach to dealing with Texas family law.
The founder, Daryl F. Longworth, is a certified attorney ad litem in Harris and Fort Bend counties. A survey of other respected lawyers in Houstonia Magazine recognized him as one of the “Top Family Lawyers” in 2019.
6464 Savoy Drive, Suite 570, Houston, TX 77036
Mokolo Law Firm is a legal practice that supports clients throughout Houston, Texas and surrounding metropolitan areas. They guide a full range of family law matters. These include child support, divorce proceedings, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and paternity suits.
The founder and principal top divorce attorney Uzo J. Mokolo has been serving clients in Houston for over 12 years. She is a recognized National Black Lawyers top 40 under 40. Uzo Mokolo is recognized for her competency, ethical standards, and zealous advocacy of her client’s interests.
440 Louisiana Street, Suite 2450, Houston, TX 77002
Walters Gilbreath, PLLC is a Houston divorce law firm providing legal aid across Texas. The office has six attorneys certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Managing Partner Brian Walters has handled over 3,500 cases and received the Avvo Client Choice Award for four consecutive years.
Lawyers from Walters Gilbreath, PLLC have over 133 years of combined experience, which allows them to handle divorce cases of any complexity. They deal with complicated and high-asset divorces, business valuation and division, and spousal support.
1225 N Loop W, #325, Houston, TX 77008
The Bayley Law Firm focuses on representing spouses in a divorce. These top divorce lawyers in Houston have helped to pass thousands of marriage-ending cases. They focus on direct attorney-client communication. This law firm collaborates with psychologists and has the resources to investigate hidden assets. This approach allows the client to fairly divide property and child custody.
Houstonia Magazine’s survey of lawyers recognized founder Andrew Bayley as one of the “Top Family Law Lawyers”. The firm has also received high marks from clients – 4.6/5 according to AVVO, Google, and Facebook reviews.
5300 Memorial Drive, Suite 900, Houston, TX 77007
Diggs & Sadler is one of the most experienced divorce lawyers in Houston, with more than 125 years of combined team experience. Among many honors, Texas Monthly has recognized Cindy Diggs, the firm founder, as a Texas Super Lawyer.
The firm practices a wide scope of divorce law, including LGBTQ+ family law and international divorce. They also handle issues related to business valuation in divorce, grandparents’ rights, large marital estates, and military divorce. Clients highly praise Diggs & Sadler, and AVVO Lawyer Rating recognizes them as “Superb.”
1800 Saint James Place, Suite 620, Houston, TX 77056
Laura Dale & Associates is a full-service family law firm available 24/7. They represent clients in international divorce, custody, and child abduction cases. These top divorce lawyers in Houston take on both high-conflict cases and are competent supporters.
Managing Partner Laura Dale is a certified mediator, collaborative lawyer, and parenting coordinator under the Texas parenting coordinator statute. With more than 30 years of collective experience, attorneys from Laura Dale & Associates can help you with support, modifications, family violence, paternity, and all aspects of family law.
Texas is one of the 12 states with the lowest number of marital dissolutions. But the divorce rate in Houston is still 10.2% per 1,000 people. Divorce is a difficult time, and it’s hard to prepare for it. So, in this section, we will provide answers about costs and hiring of divorce lawyers in Houston and discuss key aspects of the marital dissolution process. So, let’s start!
Texas law doesn’t mandate the representation by a lawyer. If your divorce is uncontested, you can file it yourself. But, there are factors, such as property division or child custody, that can make you stuck if you don’t find an uncontested divorce attorney in time.
Hiring asset valuation specialists and psychologists can cost you even more than a lawyer who will check all the factors at once. A skilled Houston divorce attorney will ensure that your interests are well-represented, especially in complex cases.
Here are examples of situations in which legal representation is important:
If you find your situation among the above, you need to look for divorce attorneys near you.
Most firms meet the needs of those who are looking for affordable divorce. But the price varies depending on many factors. Let’s figure it out.
$300 is the average hourly Houston divorce lawyer cost. But, this can vary based on experience and case specifics. For example, attorneys with 15+ years of experience can charge up to $750 per hour. In turn, cheap divorce lawyers in Houston, Texas may ask for about $150.
You can expect a higher price if you have these variables in your case:
You can pay a flat fee for an uncontested divorce in Texas. But for a contested one, lawyers take an hourly rate and may ask for a retainer fee of $3,000-$5,000 to start.
The cost of filing for divorce with children in Harris County is $365, or $350 with no children. Also, consider the cost of electronic records and paperwork – up to an extra $100.
Please note that in case of divorce, the price doesn’t include the $15 Central Adoption Registry Fee and $2 Certified SDPW Fee for each child.
Extra claims for child protection, alimony, custody or visitation, grandparental access, and termination of parental rights will cost $365.
Make sure that both parties agree on all issues and consider an uncontested divorce. You will still need to pay court fees, but in this case, the cost of a cheap divorce in Houston, TX will be up to $500.
But even if you hire a lawyer in an uncontested divorce, you can save money. Most Houston divorce lawyers offer a free consultation. They can check your paperwork and ensure everything is in order, helping to avoid mistakes that could cost more later.
While DIY (do-it-yourself) paperwork might seem cheaper, missing important legal details can lead to problems. An attorney’s brief review can offer peace of mind and ensure your divorce complies with Texas laws.
Now let’s look at some key questions about the divorce process in Houston.
The mandatory waiting period in Texas is 60 days from the date of filing the divorce petition. To get a final divorce on the 61st day, you must reach an agreement on all property and child custody issues.
But this period doesn’t apply in two cases:
If you have evidence of violence by the other spouse, the court may waive the mandatory waiting period.
Divorce cases go to court under Texas law. The couple’s attorneys draft an agreed final decree of divorce and file it with the court. The judge determines all legal issues and grants permission to finish the process after the mandatory waiting period.
This can take place without a court trial. But, there is usually a “prove-up” hearing. It is a short and simple process where you may have to answer a few questions from the judge about the agreement. This hearing is the last step to complete the divorce.
Texas is a no-fault divorce state. So, you do not need to provide proof of fault. This means that the court can divorce you even on the grounds of a personality conflict.
But fault grounds like cruelty or adultery may impact custody or property division. Let’s look at an example. Texas is a community property state. This means that the assets and debts acquired during the marriage are joint.
But if adultery has affected the marital property (for example, through loss of assets or financial expenses), this may affect the division of property. In this case, the court will decide in favor of the spouse who did not cheat. This is because the judge seeks a “fair” division, which doesn’t mean equal.
Adultery can also affect child custody decisions if it is contrary to the best interests of the children. The court’s primary concern is the welfare and well-being of the children. If the spouses’ behavior threatens this in any way, the court will take this into account.
The 10-year rule in Texas determines the effect of the length of marriage on spousal support (or alimony). This means that if the marriage has lasted at least 10 years, the spouse may have the right to spousal support.
Texas law establishes specific rules on the duration of spousal support depending on the length of the marriage:
This right also depends on whether the spouse claiming maintenance has income to meet their reasonable needs. It includes factors such as disability or being the primary caregiver of a disabled child.
So, to get a successful divorce, identify your representation goals. Determine whether you need mediation, property division, and child custody. Then choose the best divorce lawyer in Houston who has this specialization.
Analyze their experience in the field, review their successful cases, or schedule a consultation with them. You can ask for more information about their expertise and divorce task processing. To find a reliable legal representative, use the list of the Top 10 divorce lawyers in Houston above or contact us and we will help you to choose the perfect fit for your needs.
A lawyer has a conflict of interest when they represent one party in a way that hurts another client or their interests. This means that one lawyer (or law firm) cannot represent both parties. Also, if you have already consulted with a lawyer but have not hired one, they can no longer represent the other spouse. This is an ethical approach that prevents the leakage of confidential information.
Texas law doesn’t impose a mandatory separation period before filing for divorce.
The duration varies from a few months to over a year, with a mandatory 60-day waiting period after filing.
While a spouse can contest the terms of a divorce, they cannot refuse the divorce process itself.
