Home / Divorce
Divorce in DFW
Divorce, with someone in your corner.
Amicable or hard-fought, a divorce reshapes your property, your finances, and your time with your children. We represent DFW spouses in every kind of Texas divorce, and it starts the same way for everyone: a free, confidential consultation where you learn where you stand.
We handle the full range of Texas divorces. Fully agreed cases finish at a flat fee, often close to the state's 60-day minimum. Contested cases involving property disputes or custody get litigation-grade preparation: temporary orders, discovery, mediation, and trial when it comes to that. Either way you get a clear fee structure before you commit, and an honest read on which kind of case you actually have.
Every divorce starts in one of three places
- Fully agreed. You both know the terms. We paper the agreement precisely, and it finishes at a flat fee with one short court appearance, often near the 60-day minimum.
- Mostly agreed. The big picture is settled but real items remain. Focused negotiation or a short mediation usually closes the gap without turning the case into a war.
- Contested. Property, custody, or both are genuinely in dispute. This is litigation, and it should be handled by someone preparing to win it, not someone hoping it settles.
Contested divorce: prepared, not just present
When the fight is real, early moves matter. Temporary orders set who stays in the house, who pays what, and where the children live while the case is pending, and they shape everything after. Discovery is how hidden accounts, undervalued businesses, and separate-property claims get tested rather than taken on faith. Texas divides community property as the court finds "just and right," which is not automatically half, and the difference is made in preparation. We build the case from the first filing as if it will be tried, which is also exactly what produces strong settlements.
The agreed path, when it fits
If you and your spouse are aligned, you should not pay litigation prices. Agreed divorces are handled at a flat fee quoted in writing: the petition, a precisely drafted decree covering property, debts, retirement, and the children's schedule and support, and the short prove-up hearing that finishes it. A vague decree is a future lawsuit; precision now is what the flat fee buys.
Children
Conservatorship, the possession schedule, child support, health insurance: whether agreed or fought over, the terms have to work in the real world and satisfy the court. Patrick also serves as a court-appointed attorney for children in Texas child-welfare cases, so how judges actually think about children's interests is familiar ground.
Property, retirement, and the QDRO
Texas is a community property state, but characterization is where divorces are won and lost: what is community, what is separate, and what can be traced. And when retirement accounts are divided, the decree alone is not enough; the plan needs a qualified domestic relations order, which we draft alongside the decree so the division actually happens.
The mechanics, so you know
- Residency: one spouse must have lived in Texas six months and in the county of filing 90 days.
- The 60-day waiting period applies to nearly every case; agreed cases finish near it, contested cases take what the disputes require.
- No-fault available: Texas allows divorce for insupportability; fault grounds exist and sometimes matter to the property division.
- Name restoration can be included in the decree at no meaningful extra effort.
Where you might be
Worth a call if:
- You are considering divorce and want to understand your options before anyone files.
- Your spouse already filed, or has a lawyer, and you need someone in your corner.
- You both agree on the terms and want it done cleanly at a known price.
- You are worried about the house, a business, retirement accounts, or hidden assets.
- Custody is going to be a fight and you want it handled seriously from day one.
- You are not sure which kind of case you have. That is what the consultation is for.
Common questions
Straight answers.
Do you handle contested divorces?
Yes. Contested property and custody cases are litigation, and we prepare them to be won: temporary orders, discovery, mediation, and trial when it comes to that. The free consultation gives you a candid read on what your case involves.
How long does a divorce take in Texas?
The statutory waiting period is 60 days from filing, so about two months is the legal floor. Agreed cases usually finish near it. Contested cases run longer, driven by temporary orders, discovery, and the court's schedule.
Is Texas a 50/50 community property state?
Not automatically. Courts divide community property as they find 'just and right,' which can deviate from half based on the facts. What counts as community versus separate property, and what can be traced, is often the real battleground.
What are temporary orders?
Court orders that govern life while the divorce is pending: who lives in the house, who pays which bills, and where the children stay. In contested cases the temporary orders hearing comes early and matters enormously.
Can you represent both of us?
No, and be wary of anyone who says yes. We represent one spouse; the other may have the documents reviewed by their own attorney. That keeps the decree enforceable and everyone protected.
How do fees work?
Agreed divorces are flat fees quoted in writing. Contested divorces are litigation engagements with clear terms up front. The initial consultation is free either way, and you will know the structure before you commit.
Take the first step
Find out where you stand before you decide anything.
One free, confidential conversation: your situation, your options, and what each path costs.