How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Fort Worth, TX?

Understanding Fort Worth Divorce Costs

Getting divorced in Fort Worth, Texas involves various expenses that can range from a few hundred dollars to over $20,000 depending on your specific situation. If you're considering divorce in Tarrant County, understanding these costs upfront helps you make informed decisions and plan your budget accordingly.

Fort Worth residents face the same Texas divorce laws as the rest of the state, but local Tarrant County court fees and attorney rates can differ from other areas. This guide breaks down exactly what you'll pay to get divorced in Fort Worth.

Fort Worth Court Filing Fees

Every divorce in Fort Worth starts with filing paperwork at the Tarrant County District Clerk's office. The court filing fees in Tarrant County are:

Without minor children: $350 With minor children: $401

The higher fee when children are involved covers the mandatory Domestic Relations Office (DRO) fee, which supports services related to child support and custody matters.

These fees are paid when you file your Petition for Divorce at the Family Law Center located at 200 East Weatherford Street in Fort Worth. The clerk accepts cash, money orders, and credit cards.

Can Filing Fees Be Waived?

If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can request a fee waiver by filing an Affidavit of Inability to Pay with the court. The judge will review your financial situation and determine whether to waive the fees. Many Fort Worth residents qualify for fee waivers based on income and financial hardship.

Additional Court Costs

Beyond the initial filing fee, expect these additional costs:

Service of Citation: $75-$125 if served by constable or sheriff in Tarrant County. Private process servers typically charge $50-$150. You can avoid this cost if your spouse signs a Waiver of Service.

Certified Copies: $1-$5 per certified copy of your Final Decree. You'll need certified copies for name changes, updating Social Security records, dividing retirement accounts, and other legal purposes.

Copy Fees: $1 for the first page, 25 cents per additional page for any copies you need from the clerk's office.

Fort Worth Divorce Attorney Costs

The biggest expense for most Fort Worth divorces is attorney fees. Fort Worth divorce attorneys typically charge:

Hourly Rates: $175-$325 per hour on average, though rates can range from $130-$500+ depending on experience and case complexity.

Retainer Fees: Most Fort Worth attorneys require an upfront retainer of $2,500-$7,500 to begin working on your case.

Flat Fees: Some attorneys offer flat fees for simple uncontested divorces, typically $2,200-$3,500 including court costs.

Attorney rates in Fort Worth tend to be slightly lower than in nearby Dallas, but higher than in smaller Texas cities. Experienced family law specialists charge more than general practice attorneys, but they often resolve cases more efficiently.

Total Cost by Divorce Type

Uncontested Divorce in Fort Worth

An uncontested divorce means you and your spouse agree on all terms including property division, child custody, and support.

DIY Divorce: $350-$401 (court filing fees only)

With Online Service: $500-$1,000 (includes document preparation + filing fees)

With Attorney: $2,200-$5,000 (flat fee or limited hours)

Uncontested divorces are the most affordable option and typically take 2-4 months to finalize in Tarrant County.

Contested Divorce in Fort Worth

A contested divorce involves disagreements on one or more issues that may require court intervention.

One Contested Issue (settled without trial): $6,000-$10,000

Multiple Issues (settled without trial): $10,000-$15,000

Single Issue Going to Trial: $13,000-$17,000

Multiple Issues Going to Trial: $18,000-$25,000+

The average contested divorce in Fort Worth costs around $15,000-$16,000 for couples without children and $20,000-$25,000 for couples with children.

Breakdown of Attorney Time and Costs

Understanding where attorney hours go helps you manage costs:

Initial Phase ($5,000-$7,500)

• Initial consultation and case review

• Preparing and filing divorce petition

• Responding to your spouse's filing

• First court appearances

• Temporary orders hearing

This initial investment typically covers only the first few months of a contested case.

Discovery Phase ($2,000-$3,000)

• Gathering financial documents

• Depositions

• Interrogatories

• Requests for production

• Expert consultations

Complex property division cases with businesses, real estate, or substantial assets cost more during this phase.

Mediation ($1,500-$3,000)

• Preparation for mediation

• Attending mediation session (typically 4-8 hours)

• Drafting settlement agreement

• Review and revisions

Texas requires mediation in most divorce cases before trial. Most Fort Worth divorces settle during mediation, avoiding trial costs.

Trial Phase ($5,000-$15,000+)

• Trial preparation (2 hours prep for every 1 hour in court)

• Expert witness fees

• Exhibits and evidence preparation

• Court time (trials can last 1-5 days)

• Post-trial motions

Going to trial significantly increases costs. Only about 5% of Fort Worth divorces go to trial.

Factors That Increase Divorce Costs

Several factors drive up the cost of divorce in Fort Worth:

Children and Custody Disputes

Cases involving child custody are among the most expensive. Costs increase when:

• Parents cannot agree on custody arrangements

• Child custody evaluations are needed ($2,000-$5,000)

• Child psychologists must testify

• Modification of custody orders is contested

Average cost with contested custody issues: $23,500+

Complex Property Division

High-asset divorces require additional services:

• Business valuations ($3,000-$10,000+)

• Real estate appraisals ($300-$600 per property)

• Forensic accountants ($200-$400 per hour)

• Pension valuators ($500-$2,000)

• Tax professionals

The more assets you have, the more time attorneys spend documenting, valuing, and dividing them.

Spousal Maintenance (Alimony)

When one spouse requests spousal support, attorneys must:

• Analyze earning capacities

• Review financial needs and resources

• Calculate appropriate support amounts

• Present evidence supporting their position

Alimony disputes add $2,000-$5,000 to typical attorney fees.

Fault-Based Divorce

Filing on fault grounds (adultery, cruelty, abandonment) rather than no-fault grounds complicates the case:

• Requires proof and evidence

• Often involves witnesses

• Creates more contentious proceedings

• Increases court time

Most Fort Worth couples file on no-fault grounds (insupportability) to keep costs down.

Uncooperative Spouse

If your spouse:

• Refuses to provide financial documents

• Misses deadlines

• Files excessive motions

• Acts out of spite or pettiness

These behaviors significantly increase attorney time and costs.

Ways to Reduce Fort Worth Divorce Costs

Choose Uncontested Divorce

If possible, work with your spouse to reach agreements before filing. Uncontested divorces cost 70-80% less than contested divorces.

Use Online Divorce Services

For straightforward uncontested divorces, online services like Divorce.com provide:

• Completed Texas divorce forms

• Step-by-step filing instructions

• Much lower cost than attorneys

• Proper forms for Tarrant County courts

Total cost: $500-$1,000 including filing fees

Minimize Attorney Communication

Since attorneys bill by the hour:

• Batch questions into one weekly call or email

• Provide organized financial documents

• Respond promptly to attorney requests

• Avoid unnecessary calls and texts

Every conversation costs you money.

Consider Mediation Early

Mediation costs $1,500-$3,000 but can save $10,000+ in trial expenses. Most Fort Worth divorces settle in mediation.

Handle Simple Tasks Yourself

You can:

• Gather your own financial documents

• Complete financial disclosure forms

• Organize asset and debt information

• Research basic Texas divorce laws

The more prepared you are, the fewer attorney hours you'll need.

Limit Attorney Involvement

Consider "unbundled" or limited scope services:

• Attorney reviews documents you prepared

• Attorney handles only mediation or trial

• Attorney provides consultation but you file yourself

This hybrid approach costs less than full representation.

Fort Worth Divorce Timeline and Costs

Month 1-2: Filing and Service

Costs: $350-$401 filing fee + $75-$150 service fee + attorney retainer if applicable

You file your petition, serve your spouse, and establish temporary orders if needed.

Month 2-3: Waiting Period

Costs: Minimal unless contested issues arise

Texas requires a 60-day waiting period from filing before divorce can be finalized. Use this time to gather documents and reach agreements.

Month 3-4: Settlement Negotiations

Costs: $2,000-$5,000 in attorney time for contested issues

Most Fort Worth couples negotiate settlements during this period, with or without mediation.

Month 4-6: Finalization

Costs: $500-$2,000 in attorney time to finalize agreements and attend final hearing

Once all agreements are reached, you'll attend a brief hearing (or waive it) and receive your Final Decree.

Total Timeline: 2-6 months for uncontested, 6-18+ months for contested

Hidden Divorce Costs to Consider

Beyond legal fees and court costs, budget for:

Moving Expenses: If one spouse needs to relocate, moving costs can range from $1,000-$5,000+

New Housing Costs: Security deposits, first month's rent, or home purchase down payments

Dividing Retirement Accounts: Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) cost $500-$2,000 to prepare

Credit Report Monitoring: Protect yourself from financial surprises ($10-$30 per month)

Therapy and Counseling: For yourself and/or children ($100-$200 per session)

Updated Estate Planning: New will, power of attorney, and beneficiary designations ($500-$1,500)

Name Change Costs: If changing your name, factor in costs for new driver's license, passport, and updating accounts ($100-$300 total)

Fort Worth Divorce Courts

All divorces in Fort Worth are filed at:

Tarrant County Family Law Center 200 East Weatherford Street Fort Worth, Texas 76196 Phone: (817) 884-1265 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Fort Worth divorce cases are assigned to one of these district courts:

• 231st District Court

• 233rd District Court

• 322nd District Court

• 324th District Court

• 325th District Court

• 360th District Court

These courts handle all family law matters including divorce, child custody, child support, and enforcement actions.

Getting Divorced in Fort Worth Without an Attorney

Texas allows self-representation in divorce cases. You can handle an uncontested divorce yourself if:

• You and your spouse agree on all terms

• You have no minor children or can agree on custody/support

• You have limited assets and debts

• Neither spouse is seeking spousal support

• You feel comfortable completing legal forms

Advantages:

• Saves $2,000-$20,000+ in attorney fees

• You control the timeline

• Less formal and adversarial

Disadvantages:

• Risk of incomplete or incorrect paperwork

• No legal advice on your rights

• May miss important protections

• Court won't help you if you make mistakes

When You Need an Attorney in Fort Worth

Hire an attorney if:

• Your spouse has an attorney

• You have significant assets or debts

• You own a business or complex property

• Child custody is disputed

• Domestic violence is involved

• Your spouse is hiding assets

• You don't understand the legal process

• You want to ensure your rights are protected

The cost of an attorney is worth it when you have significant issues at stake.

Fort Worth Divorce Cost Comparison

How Fort Worth compares to nearby areas:

Fort Worth (Tarrant County): $350-$401 filing fee, $175-$325/hour attorneys

Dallas (Dallas County): $350-$401 filing fee, $200-$500/hour attorneys

Arlington (Tarrant County): Same as Fort Worth

Denton (Denton County): $250-$401 filing fee, $200-$350/hour attorneys

Plano (Collin County): $300-$401 filing fee, $250-$450/hour attorneys

Fort Worth offers competitive rates compared to other major Texas cities, with attorney fees typically lower than Dallas but comparable to other large metropolitan areas.

The Bottom Line

A divorce in Fort Worth costs anywhere from $350 to over $25,000 depending on:

• Whether it's contested or uncontested

• Whether you have children

• How much property you have to divide

• Whether you hire an attorney

• How cooperative your spouse is

Average Costs:

• Simple uncontested DIY divorce: $350-$500

• Uncontested divorce with online service: $500-$1,000

• Uncontested divorce with attorney: $2,200-$5,000

• Contested divorce (no children): $15,000-$16,000

• Contested divorce (with children): $20,000-$25,000

The best way to minimize costs is to work with your spouse to reach agreements before filing, consider using an online divorce service for simple cases, and only hire an attorney when necessary.

Get Started with Your Fort Worth Divorce

Divorce.com helps Fort Worth residents complete their divorce paperwork correctly for a fraction of the cost of hiring an attorney:

✓ All required Tarrant County divorce forms ✓ Customized to your specific situation ✓ Step-by-step filing instructions ✓ Complete forms in 30 minutes ✓ Flat fee - no hidden costs ✓ Money-back guarantee

For simple, uncontested divorces in Fort Worth, Divorce.com provides an affordable alternative to expensive attorneys while ensuring your paperwork is done right.

Get Started with Your Fort Worth Divorce