Find a Lawyer & State Resources.

Eligible if income at or below 125% of federal poverty level.

• Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas — North & West TX (Dallas-Fort Worth + NW)
• Texas RioGrande Legal Aid — South TX, Rio Grande Valley, West TX
• Lone Star Legal Aid — East TX, Gulf Coast, Houston area
• Texas Legal Services Center — statewide legal hotline, self-help
• TexasLawHelp.org — free legal info, forms, step-by-step guides

Get a low-cost consultation with a screened family law attorney.

• State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral — (800) 252-9690 — $20-$50 for 30-min consult
• State Bar — Can't Afford a Lawyer? — referral directory for low-income Texans

Texas has formal Board Certification in Family Law through the TX Board of Legal Specialization. Certified specialists have passed a rigorous exam, demonstrated substantial experience, and meet continuing education requirements. This is a verified credential — not just a self-claimed "focus area."

• TX Board of Legal Specialization — search for Board Certified Family Law specialists

• Hourly rate (family law): $200-$500/hour (higher in Dallas/Houston metros)
• Typical divorce retainer: $3,000-$15,000 for contested cases
• Uncontested divorce total: $1,500-$3,500 flat fee
• Contested divorce total: $15,000-$50,000+ per side
• Limited scope representation: $200-$400/hour for specific tasks
• Free consultation: many firms offer free 30-min initial consults

What to look for:

• Verify the attorney is in good standing — State Bar of TX Attorney Search
• Look for Board Certification in Family Law — the gold standard in TX
• Primary focus on family law (divorce, custody, conservatorship, child support, paternity)
• Clear, written fee agreement — explains hourly rate, retainer, and billing upfront
• Doesn't guarantee specific outcomes — discusses both strengths and weaknesses

Red flags: Guarantees you'll "win" · Pressures you to sign immediately · Can't explain fees · Takes days to return calls · Badmouths opposing counsel · Encourages unnecessary litigation

• TexasLawHelp.org — primary self-help resource with all forms, guides, FAQs
• Texas Courts — official judicial branch site
• Find Your Court — locate your District Court by county
• TX Access — access and visitation info for parents

• TX AG Child Support Division — enforcement, establishment, modification
• TX AG Child Support Calculator — official, free
• TX Child Support Portal — online case management — (800) 252-8014

National DV Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 — 24/7

TX Council on Family Violence: tcfv.org

TX Advocacy Project: texasadvocacyproject.org — free legal hotline for DV survivors

• TexasLawHelp — Protective Order Fact Sheet
• Protective order forms (TexasLawHelp)

Not mandated statewide by statute, but many TX counties require parenting education in contested custody cases. Check your local court's rules.

• Course For Parents — TX Parent Education Class — online, court-approved
• Travis County Cooperative Parenting Program — 9-hour series (if in Travis County)