An uncontested divorce in Texas costs about $300 to $5,000 in 2026
An uncontested divorce in Texas costs about $300 to $5,000 in 2026. Doing it yourself costs about $300 to $500, mostly the court filing fee. A lawyer for an agreed divorce costs about $1,500 to $5,000. A contested divorce often runs $10,000 to $30,000 or more.
What a divorce costs in Texas
| Do it yourself, uncontested | $300 to $500 |
|---|---|
| Court filing fee | $250 to $400 |
| Lawyer, uncontested | $1,500 to $5,000 |
| Lawyer, uncontested, other guides | $2,000 to $6,000 |
| Flat fee, uncontested, one guide | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Contested divorce | $10,000 to $30,000+ |
| Contested, low start in one guide | From $8,000 |
| Contested, average, no children | About $15,600 |
| Contested, average, with children | About $23,000 |
| Lawyer hourly rate | $200 to $550 |
| Mediation, one session | $500 to $2,500 |
| Collaborative divorce, one guide | $7,000 to $15,000 |
| Process server | $75 to $150 |
The big driver is whether you and your spouse agree. Numbers differ by guide and by county. Sources: Texas Divorce Lawyer, uncontested divorce Texas cost (July 2026); Divorce.law, how much does a divorce cost in Texas (July 2026); Bryan Fagan, uncontested divorce Texas cost (March 2026); Bryan Fagan, how much does uncontested divorce cost (March 2026); PennyCheck, divorce cost in Texas (March 2026); 2500Divorce.com, how much does a divorce cost in Texas (March 2026); CostInsightHub, how much does a divorce cost in Texas (April 2026); Aminu Law, contested divorce cost in Texas (July 2026).
What changes your price
- Conflict. Aminu Law says the single biggest cost driver is conflict, like fights over property, debts and children.
- Children. A custody fight adds a lot. Divorce.law puts contested cases with custody disputes at $23,500 or more.
- Property. Texas is a community property state, per PennyCheck. Homes, businesses and retirement accounts make it more complex.
- Your lawyer. Hourly rates run about $200 to $550, per Divorce.law and CostInsightHub.
- Your county. Filing fees are set by each county, and lawyer rates vary by city.
- How it ends. Settling early costs less than going to trial.
Uncontested and contested
In an uncontested divorce you agree on everything. Texas Divorce Lawyer says a simple case done yourself may cost $300 to $500, and a flat fee lawyer for an agreed divorce is typically $1,500 to $5,000. Aminu Law says you can probably file an uncontested divorce yourself with forms from TexasLawHelp.org if your case is simple and you agree on everything.
Bryan Fagan says an uncontested case can switch to hourly billing if a new disagreement comes up, and the flat fee then ends. PennyCheck says Texas has a mandatory 60 day waiting period from filing before a divorce can be final, even if you agree. Online Divorce Texas says you can file an Affidavit of Inability to Pay if you cannot afford the fees.
Contested cases cost more. Divorce.law says the first $5,000 to $7,500 often covers only the temporary orders stage. It says an uncontested case can save $10,000 to $25,000 compared with contested court. Sources: Texas Divorce Lawyer, uncontested divorce Texas cost (July 2026); Aminu Law, contested divorce cost in Texas (July 2026); Bryan Fagan, uncontested divorce Texas cost (March 2026); PennyCheck, divorce cost in Texas (March 2026); Online Divorce Texas, average cost of divorce in Texas (June 2026); Divorce.law, how much does a divorce cost in Texas (July 2026).
Other divorce and legal costs
Laws and fees differ by state. See our Florida divorce page for a comparison, and our divorce mediation page for a cheaper path.
Thinking about it before marriage? See our prenup page. If a house is involved, our real estate attorney page shows what those lawyers charge.
How to judge the price you are quoted
- Ask if the fee is flat or hourly, and what is included.
- Ask if the court filing fee and process server are extra.
- Ask what happens to the fee if the case becomes contested.
- Ask for the hourly rate and the size of the retainer.
- Compare with $1,500 to $5,000 for an agreed divorce, or $10,000 or more if contested.
Ways to pay less
- Agree on everything before you file. Bryan Fagan says that is the best way to control the cost.
- For a very simple case, try the free forms on TexasLawHelp.org, and weigh the risk of mistakes.
- Use a flat fee lawyer for an agreed divorce.
- Try mediation before trial. PennyCheck puts mediation at $3,000 to $7,000 and trial at $15,000 to $30,000 or more.
- If you cannot afford the fees, ask the court about an Affidavit of Inability to Pay.
How we got these numbers
Lawyers set their own prices. The ranges come from 2026 Texas divorce guides, as dated below, and many are written by law firms that sell these services. Treat them as asking prices. We do not add our own guesses. This is not legal advice. All numbers were checked on September 28, 2026.
Common questions
How much does a divorce cost in Texas?
An uncontested divorce costs about $300 to $5,000. A contested divorce often runs $10,000 to $30,000 or more.
How much is the divorce filing fee in Texas?
About $250 to $400, set by the county.
How long does a Texas divorce take?
PennyCheck says there is a mandatory 60 day waiting period from filing.
Can I get a divorce in Texas for free?
If you cannot pay, you can file an Affidavit of Inability to Pay, and the court decides.