Fort Worth Divorce Lawyer

Trusted divorce attorneys with over 12 years of family law experience in Texas.

If you’re facing a divorce in Fort Worth, TX, we know this process can feel overwhelming and even tumultuous at times. Our Fort Worth, TX divorce lawyer has been handling dissolution cases for clients across Tarrant County since 2013. At Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC, we deal with both straightforward and deeply contested matters, and we work to reach results that actually reflect what our clients need. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to schedule a consultation.

Divorce Attorney Fort Worth, TX

Divorce in Texas is governed by the Texas Family Code, which is a community property framework. That means most assets and debts accumulated during the marriage belong to both spouses, and dividing them requires applying a “just and right” standard rather than a simple 50/50 split. When you consider children, a business, retirement accounts, or a spouse who isn’t being honest about finances, the complexity compounds quickly.

Our Fort Worth divorce attorney guides clients through property characterization, disclosure requirements, temporary orders, and the negotiation or trial process.

Types of Divorce Cases We Handle in Fort Worth

Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC handles a full range of divorce-related matters for clients throughout Fort Worth and Tarrant County.

• Contested divorce. When spouses disagree on property, custody, or support, the case becomes contested. These cases require careful preparation, strategic negotiation, and, when necessary, trial-ready advocacy in Tarrant County district court.

• Uncontested divorce. When both parties are aligned on the major issues, we can help document and finalize those agreements correctly. An uncontested case needs properly drafted documents, and we ensure they are legally sound.

• Child custody. Divorces involving children require resolving conservatorship, possession schedules, and decision-making authority. These issues move through the divorce proceeding and often drive the most conflict. We’ve handled contested custody in divorce cases across Tarrant County.

• Property division. Texas community property rules apply, but characterizing assets as separate or community, and then dividing them justly, is rarely straightforward. We address real estate, retirement accounts, business interests, and debts during property division negotiations.

• Spousal maintenance. Texas has specific eligibility requirements for spousal maintenance, and the duration and amount are capped by statute. We represent clients seeking maintenance and clients contesting unreasonable requests.

• High-asset divorce. Business ownership, investment portfolios, multiple properties, and retirement accounts require forensic financial analysis and careful valuation. High-asset divorce cases are handled with the same strategy as any complex commercial dispute.

• Divorce with domestic violence. When there’s a history of abuse or an active safety concern, the legal strategy has to account for that. Protective orders, emergency custody motions, and the safety of children all factor in.

• Estate planning. Finalizing a divorce doesn’t automatically update beneficiary designations, wills, or powers of attorney. We help clients think through what needs to change after the decree is entered.

Why Choose Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC for Divorce in Fort Worth, TX?

Established in Tarrant County, Built for This Work

Brandy M. Austin has been licensed to practice in Texas since 2008 and built Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC from a single filing fee into a full-service firm serving Fort Worth and the surrounding DFW area. Our family lawyer in Fort Worth, TX launched the firm in May 2013 and has handled family law cases in Texas across the full spectrum, from relatively amicable separations to protracted contested divorces.

Attorney Brandy’s memberships include the Tarrant County Bar Association, the Trial Law Institute, and the Diversity Law Institute. She was published in the Quarterly Family Law Newsletter in April 2009 and currently serves as President-Elect of the Tarrant County Trial Lawyers. Super Lawyers recognized Attorney Austin as a Rising Star from 2015 through 2018. She has also received the AVVO Top Attorney designation and the 10 Best Client Satisfaction award from the American Institute of Legal Counsel.

Results Across the Range

Divorce outcomes vary widely based on the facts, the jurisdiction, and how well-prepared each side is. Our track record across Fort Worth includes favorable property divisions, custody arrangements that protected parental rights, and spousal support outcomes on both sides of the issue. We’ve also achieved results in contested matters that required advocacy at the temporary orders stage and beyond.

Understanding Divorce Cases

Grounds for Divorce and Property Division in Texas

Texas is a no-fault divorce state, which means either spouse can file without proving wrongdoing. Insupportability, meaning the marriage has become insupportable due to conflict or discord, is the most commonly cited ground. But Texas also recognizes fault-based grounds including cruelty, adultery, abandonment, felony conviction, and living apart.

Fault can matter, as courts have discretion to award a disproportionate share of community property to a spouse who can prove fault by the other. That’s one reason why the facts behind a divorce still matter even when you plan to file on no-fault grounds. Here are some important concepts in Texas divorce:

• Community property: Assets and debts acquired during marriage are generally community property, owned equally by both spouses.
• Separate property: Property owned before marriage or received as a gift or inheritance during marriage is generally separate.
• Just and right division: The court divides community property in a way that is just and right, considering relevant factors.
• Spousal maintenance: Texas caps duration and amount, so eligibility depends on marriage length, documented family violence, or disability.
• Waiting period: Texas imposes a mandatory 60-day waiting period from the date of filing before a divorce can be finalized. There are narrow exceptions.

Important Aspects in Your Divorce Case

There are a few factors that we consistently consider during Texas divorce proceedings, and getting ahead of them can change outcomes.

• Financial disclosure is not optional: Both spouses are required to disclose assets and debts. Hidden assets are discovered more often than people expect, and the consequences for concealing them are serious.
• Social media conduct is evidence: Posts, check-ins, photos, and private messages have all been used in Tarrant County divorce proceedings to challenge credibility, contradict financial claims, or affect custody positions.
• Temporary orders set the baseline: What the court orders on a temporary basis, regarding living arrangements, asset use, custody, and support, often becomes the template for the final decree. The temporary orders hearing deserves the same preparation as trial.
• Retirement accounts require specific legal instruments: A divorce decree alone does not divide a 401(k) or pension. A Qualified Domestic Relations Order is required, and failing to obtain one correctly can cost a spouse the retirement assets they were awarded.
• Timing of filing matters. When you file affects residency requirements, which assets are included in the community estate, and how support is calculated.

Divorce Case Timeline

No two divorces follow the same schedule, but most Fort Worth cases move through a recognizable sequence of stages.

• Filing the petition: The Original Petition for Divorce is filed with the Tarrant County district clerk, and the other spouse is then served.
• Temporary orders hearing: In contested cases, this usually happens within the first few weeks to months. The court sets temporary arrangements for property use, support, and, if children are involved, custody and possession.
• Discovery: Both sides exchange financial records, appraisals, communications, and other relevant documents. The scope varies based on what’s disputed.
• Mediation: Tarrant County courts typically require mediation before trial. A substantial number of contested divorces settle at this stage.
• Final decree or trial: If the parties reach agreement, a final decree is prepared and approved by the court. And if a resolution can’t be found, a judge decides. Either way, the final decree resolves all issues and the divorce is complete.

What to Bring to Your Divorce Consultation

During your consultation, there is certain information that is most helpful to us. But don’t stress if you don’t have it all yet. Here are details we suggest bringing:

• Recent tax returns, bank statements, and pay stubs for both spouses if available.
• A general list of known assets and debts, including real estate, vehicles, retirement accounts, and credit obligations.
• Any existing court orders, including prior family law orders involving children.
• Documentation of any domestic violence, protective orders, or related proceedings.

Texas Legal Resources for Divorce

Texas divorce law is primarily governed by the Texas Family Code. These resources can help you locate relevant statutes and understand the framework before or during your case.

• Texas Legislature Online: Provides the full Texas Family Code, including Title 1 (the Family Relationship) and Title 3 (Dissolution of Marriage).
• Texas State Law Library: Offers free public access to legal research tools and divorce-related self-help guides for Texas residents.
• Tarrant County District Courts: Provides local court information including docket procedures, family court divisions, and filing resources.
• Texas Attorney General Child Support Division: Provides resources on child support calculation, enforcement, and modification for Texas parents navigating divorce.
• Texas Law Help: Offers guides on divorce, property division, and spousal maintenance for Texas residents.

Reach Out to Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC to Schedule a Consultation

If you are going through a divorce, the decisions made in the first few weeks can shape the entire outcome of your case. At Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC, we offer consultations for divorce matters so you can receive guidance at every step. Contact us today to reserve your consultation appointment.