Family Law Attorney Austin TX

Practice Areas

Family Law Cases We Connect in Austin

Travis County family courts handle divorce, custody, and support cases on a regular docket. The attorneys in our network appear there regularly and know the specific procedures, timelines, and judicial expectations in this courthouse. Need help finding the right attorney? Learn how our Austin attorney referral service connects you with the right family law attorney for your specific situation.

Divorce

Texas is a community property state. What counts as community property, what's separate, and how courts divide it matters. We connect you with Austin family law attorneys who handle Travis County divorces regularly.

Divorce Attorneys

Child Custody

Travis County courts use a best-interest-of-the-child standard. What that means in practice — and how judges in this specific courthouse apply it — is what an Austin family law attorney knows.

Child Custody Attorneys

Child Support

Texas child support is calculated using a specific statutory formula based on the paying parent's net resources. Getting the calculation right, and knowing when modification is available, matters for years.

Child Support Attorneys

Alimony / Spousal Maintenance

Texas spousal maintenance is more limited than alimony in many other states. Eligibility requirements and duration caps are strict. An attorney explains what's available in your specific situation.

Alimony / Spousal Maintenance Attorneys

Adoption

Stepparent adoption, private adoption, foster adoption — each has different requirements and court procedures. Travis County adoption cases have specific timelines and documentation requirements.

Adoption Attorneys

Prenuptial Agreements

A prenuptial agreement in Texas must meet specific requirements to be enforceable. A well-drafted agreement protects what you need to protect. A poorly drafted one may not hold up.

Prenuptial Agreements Attorneys

Paternity

Establishing paternity in Texas is the first step in establishing parental rights and responsibilities. Whether voluntary or through court order, the process has specific procedures.

Paternity Attorneys

Texas Family Law

What You Should Know

Texas is a community property state

Property acquired during the marriage is generally presumed to be community property, owned equally by both spouses. Separate property — brought into the marriage or received as gifts or inheritance — is not subject to division. The distinction matters and often requires tracing.

Best interest of the child governs custody

Texas courts use a best-interest-of-the-child standard for all custody and visitation decisions. There is no presumption favoring mothers or fathers. The specific factors courts consider are codified in the Texas Family Code.

Travis County courts and timelines

Family law cases in Travis County follow specific local rules and docket procedures. An attorney familiar with this courthouse knows the timelines, the temporary order process, and how mediation is handled locally.

Modification is possible after final orders

Custody, child support, and spousal maintenance orders can be modified based on material and substantial changes in circumstances. This is a distinct legal standard that requires showing something significant has changed.

Common Questions

Family Law FAQs

How much does a divorce cost in Austin?

An uncontested divorce in Austin — where both spouses agree on all terms — can often be completed for a flat attorney fee of roughly $1,500 to $3,500, plus the Travis County filing fee (around $300). A contested divorce, where property division, custody, or support are disputed, is typically billed hourly and can run from several thousand dollars into the tens of thousands, depending on how much is contested and whether the case goes to trial.

How is child custody decided in Travis County?

Texas courts decide custody — legally called conservatorship — using a best-interest-of-the-child standard, with no built-in preference for mothers or fathers. Judges weigh factors set out in the Texas Family Code, including each parent's involvement, stability, and ability to meet the child's needs, and the child's own wishes if they are 12 or older. Travis County courts often start from a Standard Possession Order as the default schedule and adjust based on the specific facts.

How is child support calculated in Texas?

Texas uses a statutory formula based on the paying parent's net monthly resources: 20% for one child, 25% for two, 30% for three, and up from there, subject to a cap that adjusts periodically. Net resources include wages, self-employment income, and certain other income, minus specific deductions. Courts can deviate from the guideline amount in some situations, and support can be modified later if circumstances change substantially.

How long does a divorce take in Texas?

Texas law imposes a mandatory 60-day waiting period after the petition is filed before a divorce can be finalized. An uncontested divorce where everything is agreed can wrap up shortly after those 60 days. A contested divorce takes longer — commonly six months to more than a year — depending on the disputes involved, the court's docket, and whether the case reaches trial. Temporary orders can address custody, support, and use of property while the case is pending.

From Our Legal Blog

Family Law Guides for Austin Residents

Need help finding the right attorney? Learn how our Austin attorney referral service connects you with the right family law attorney for your specific situation.

Free Case Review

Dealing with a Family Law Matter in Austin?

Family law cases are personal and often urgent. Submit your request now — we'll connect you with an Austin family law attorney who handles Travis County courts regularly.

Get a Free Case Review

Tell us what happened. We'll connect you with a qualified Austin attorney — no cost, no obligation.

Your Name * Please enter your name.

Phone Number * Please enter a valid phone number.

Email (optional) Please enter a valid email address.

Type of Case * Please select a case type.

Tell us about your situation (optional) Optional · helps the attorney prepare before they call

Free & confidential · No obligation · Most calls back within one business day

Prefer to talk now? Call (512) 402-3683

By submitting this form, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. ATX Attorneys is an attorney referral service, not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice.

Austin Family Law Attorneys