Service-options guide
Flat-fee options for an uncontested divorce
A predictable fee may fit a genuinely agreed matter when the parties, issues, documents, and scope can be identified in advance. The consultation is used to evaluate that fit.
Review status: Reviewed and approved
Quick answer
A predictable fee may fit a genuinely agreed matter when the parties, issues, documents, and scope can be identified in advance. The consultation is used to evaluate that fit.
01Confirm the case is fully agreed
02Identify required documents
03Define what the service includes
Why agreement affects fee structure
A flat-fee service depends on a reasonably defined scope. When the spouses agree on all material issues and can provide the information needed for drafting, the work may be more predictable than a case requiring discovery, repeated negotiation, temporary hearings, or trial preparation.
The presence of a house, retirement, children, unusual property, or county-specific procedures can affect the documents and work required even when the case is agreed.
What the evaluation should identify
The consultation reviews the spouses, children, residence history, property, debt, existing orders, proposed agreement, and the expected finalization route. It also identifies separate implementation documents, such as deeds or retirement orders, that may be needed.
The written engagement should explain who the firm represents, the work included, fees and costs, client responsibilities, and events that would move the matter outside the agreed-service scope.
What happens if agreement breaks down
An uncontested matter can change if a spouse withdraws consent, stops cooperating, or disputes a material term. That does not necessarily prevent divorce, but it may require a different process and a different representation arrangement.
The office can evaluate the current facts and explain whether the firm’s focused uncontested-divorce service remains appropriate.
Prepared for attorney review
Bring the proposed terms and records needed to test whether the agreement is complete.
Counsel listens to the client’s objectives, explains legal and practical tradeoffs, identifies missing terms, and builds accurate documents around the agreement the client chooses.
- Confirm the case is fully agreed
- Identify required documents
- Define what the service includes
Continue through the hub
Review the other terms that make the agreement complete.
Return to the uncontested-divorce center →Appointments by phone or video
Discuss the agreement you want to put into writing.
Call the office to discuss scheduling and whether the matter fits the firm's focused services. A consultation request does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Call (936) 262-7474Questions parents and spouses ask
Frequently asked questions
01What does a flat fee cover?+
Coverage depends on the written engagement. It should identify the client, included drafting and filing work, ordinary communications, finalization tasks, excluded services, and any separate costs.
02Are filing fees and third-party costs included?+
That depends on the engagement. Court filing fees, service costs, certified copies, deed recording, retirement-order work, and other third-party charges should be identified separately.
03Can a flat fee change if the case becomes contested?+
An agreed-service scope may end when a material dispute, noncooperation, hearing, discovery, or other unexpected work arises. The engagement should explain what happens in that situation.
04Why does the office need the proposed agreement before quoting a fee?+
The terms reveal the documents, implementation steps, and risks involved. A case with children, real estate, retirement, or unusual obligations may require substantially different work from a simple agreed case.
05What makes a Texas divorce uncontested?+
The spouses must agree on every issue the final decree needs to resolve, including all applicable property, debt, support, conservatorship, possession, and other terms. Agreement only that the marriage should end is not enough.
06Can we qualify if we agree generally but still need to define details?+
Possibly. A consultation can identify whether the remaining questions are drafting details or actual disputes. A material issue that one spouse still wants the court to decide means the case is not yet fully uncontested.
07Can one attorney represent both spouses?+
No. One attorney represents one spouse. The other spouse may review the proposed papers independently and decide whether to obtain separate legal advice.
08Does the other spouse have to agree to the attorney?+
The client chooses the client’s attorney. For the case to remain agreed, however, both spouses must ultimately approve the material divorce terms and cooperate with the required notice, document, and finalization steps.
09Does an agreed spouse still need service or a waiver?+
The respondent must receive legally sufficient notice unless a valid waiver or another authorized procedure applies. A waiver is a legal document and should be signed only after filing and after the respondent understands what it does.
10How long does an uncontested divorce take in Texas?+
Texas generally has a statutory waiting period of at least 60 days after filing, subject to exceptions. Document readiness, notice, court availability, and local procedures can make the actual timeline longer.
11Will someone have to appear in court?+
Finalization procedures differ by county and court. Some cases use a brief prove-up hearing, while another authorized submission process may be available in some courts.
12Can we use the Supreme Court’s approved divorce forms?+
The approved forms are designed for limited situations. The Texas Judicial Branch explains that its uniform uncontested-divorce forms do not cover cases involving minor children or real property.
13What happens if a spouse stops cooperating?+
The case may no longer fit an agreed-service model. Divorce may still be pursued, but service, negotiation, default procedures, mediation, or contested litigation may be required.
14What should I bring to the consultation?+
Bring the proposed terms, information about the spouses and children, existing court orders, a practical list of assets and debts, and any documents connected to real estate, retirement, support, or unusual issues.
15Does every uncontested case qualify for a flat fee?+
No. A flat fee depends on the issues, documents, county procedure, cooperation level, and a reasonably defined scope. The office evaluates those factors before offering a particular service arrangement.
16When is the divorce legally final?+
The marriage is dissolved when the judge signs the final decree—not when the petition is filed, the waiting period expires, or the spouses sign their proposed agreement.
Schedule an appointment
Request an uncontested-divorce scope evaluation.
Tell the office whether the spouses have a complete agreement, whether children or significant property are involved, and what work you believe is needed. Do not submit confidential or highly sensitive information through this form.
Prefer to call?
Phone and virtual appointments are available. Submitting the form does not create an attorney-client relationship and does not stop any deadline.