How much does divorce cost in Austin?

Divorce costs in Austin vary based on whether your divorce is contested or collaborative. Uncontested divorces can cost $500-$2,500, while contested divorces range from $5,000 to $30,000+. We offer transparent pricing and payment plans. Schedule a consultation for a realistic estimate based on your specific situation.

How long does divorce take in Travis County?

Texas has a mandatory 60-day waiting period after filing for divorce. In Travis County, most uncontested divorces take 2-3 months to finalize. Contested divorces typically take 6-12 months, though complex cases involving significant assets or custody disputes may take longer.

Do I need a lawyer for divorce in Texas?

While Texas law doesn't require you to have a lawyer for divorce, having experienced legal representation protects your rights and interests. An attorney ensures proper filing, fair property division, appropriate child support, and helps avoid costly mistakes that could affect you for years.

What are the grounds for divorce in Texas?

Texas is a no-fault divorce state, meaning you can file for divorce based on insupportability (irreconcilable differences). Fault-based grounds include adultery, cruelty, abandonment, felony conviction, confinement in mental hospital, or living apart for 3+ years.

How is child custody determined in Austin?

Travis County courts determine child custody based on the best interests of the child. Factors include each parent's ability to provide care, the child's physical and emotional needs, stability of home environment, and any history of family violence. Texas courts don't favor mothers or fathers but focus on what arrangement best serves the children.

No-Drama Divorce: When You Both Just Want Out

Some couples don’t need months of legal warfare to end their marriage. If you and your spouse agree it’s over and can work together on the basics, you can get divorced faster and cheaper than you think.

This isn’t about saving your marriage or working through problems. This is about ending it efficiently when you both want the same outcome.

What Makes This Different

Skip the court battles. No depositions, no discovery fights, no trial prep. You file papers, wait the required 60 days, and you’re done.

Save thousands. Travis County uncontested divorces typically cost $2,500-$4,500 total (including attorney fees and court costs). Compare that to $15,000-$50,000 for a contested case.

Get it done fast. Most uncontested divorces in Travis, Williamson, and Hays Counties wrap up in 60-90 days. The only delay is Texas law requiring a 60-day waiting period after filing.

Keep your business private. No public testimony about your personal problems. Your agreement stays between you, your lawyers, and the file.

Who This Works For

You might be a good fit for uncontested divorce if:

Both of you want the divorce
You can discuss money and kids without screaming matches
Neither spouse is hiding assets or income
You don’t have complex business interests or retirement plans
Any kids involved will primarily live with one parent (and the other parent agrees)

This process works well for couples married less than 10 years with straightforward finances. It also works for longer marriages where spouses have already mentally divided everything up.

The Streamlined Process

Week 1: We draft your petition and settlement agreement. You review everything, make changes, and sign.

Week 2: File with Travis County (or Williamson/Hays if you live there). Serve papers on your spouse.

Weeks 3-8: Your spouse signs the waiver of service and final papers. We handle all the paperwork shuffling.

Week 9-10: Submit final decree to the judge. Get your signed divorce decree.

What you handle: Gathering financial documents (bank statements, pay stubs, tax returns). Making decisions about who gets what.

What we handle: All legal paperwork, court filings, and ensuring everything meets Texas requirements.

The Hard Truth About “Agreeing”

Even uncontested divorces require decisions about:

Property division: Who keeps the house, retirement accounts, debts
Spousal support: Whether anyone pays maintenance and for how long
Child custody: Where kids live and how you make decisions
Child support: Monthly payment amount and who covers health insurance

You don’t have to agree on everything from day one. But you do need to be able to reach agreements through discussion, not litigation.

Travis County Specifics

Travis County moves faster than most Texas counties for uncontested cases. The family courts here see these agreements regularly and process them efficiently.

Required residency: One spouse must live in Travis County for 90 days before filing.

Filing location: Family Court at 1000 Guadalupe Street in downtown Austin.

Average processing time: 60-75 days from filing to final decree.

Williamson and Hays Counties have similar timelines but slightly different local procedures.

When This Won’t Work

Don’t try uncontested divorce if:

Your spouse won’t cooperate or sign papers
Either of you wants to fight over custody or money
One spouse is hiding assets or lying about finances
There’s domestic violence in the relationship
Business valuations or complex retirement benefits are involved

In these cases, you need contested divorce representation or collaborative divorce to work through disagreements.

Cost Breakdown

Our fee for uncontested divorce: $2,500

Includes all paperwork preparation and filing
Covers court appearances if needed
Handles communication with your spouse’s attorney

Court costs: $350-$400 (Travis County filing fees)

Your spouse’s attorney: $1,500-$2,500 (if they hire one)

Total cost for both spouses: Usually $4,500-$5,500

Compare this to contested divorce costs of $15,000-$50,000 per person.

FAQs About Fast, Affordable Divorce

How much does an uncontested divorce cost in Austin?

$2,500 for attorney fees plus $350-$400 in court costs. If your spouse hires an attorney, add another $1,500-$2,500. Total for both spouses typically runs $4,500-$5,500.

Do we have to go to court for an uncontested divorce?

Usually no. Texas allows most uncontested divorces to be granted without a court hearing. In rare cases, a judge might want to ask questions about your child custody arrangement.

How long does an uncontested divorce take in Austin?

60-90 days. Texas requires a 60-day waiting period after filing. After that, it typically takes another 2-4 weeks to get your final decree signed by a judge.

Can I file for divorce without a lawyer?

Legally, yes. Practically, it’s risky. One mistake in your paperwork can delay your case for months or create problems later. Most people find the $2,500 attorney fee worth the peace of mind.

What if we can’t agree on everything?

Then uncontested divorce won’t work. You’ll need either contested divorce representation if you’re headed for a fight, or collaborative divorce if you want to work through disagreements with professional help.

Do we need to divide everything 50/50?

No. Texas is a “just and right” division state. You can agree to any split that makes sense for your situation. The key is that you both agree to it.

Next Steps

Ready to get this done efficiently? Here’s what happens next:

Consultation call: We’ll spend 30 minutes reviewing your situation and confirming uncontested divorce makes sense for you.

Document preparation: Within one week, we’ll have your petition and settlement agreement ready for review.

Filing and follow-through: We handle all court filings and paperwork processing until you get your final decree.

Most uncontested divorces are straightforward. The consultation call helps us spot any potential complications before they become problems.

Schedule a consultation to discuss your timeline and get this process started. If uncontested divorce isn’t right for your situation, we’ll explain your other options and help you choose the best path forward.

No Nonsense: Uncontested / Agreed Divorce