Best Austin Divorce Attorneys

Divorce lawyers in Austin spend far more time in mediation than at trial. Travis County judges often will not set a trial date until both sides have mediated. That step usually lands six to twelve months after filing. Ask a firm how many of its contested cases settle there.

We research each listing using public records, verified reviews, and direct evaluation. Our rankings reflect reputation, reliability, and results.

  • Bar standing and public disciplinary history review
  • Documented case results and courtroom trial experience
  • Peer recognition within the legal community
  • Client reviews, communication, and responsiveness
  • Overall online reputation and verified user feedback

Rankings are determined independently based on public information and editorial research.

Leading Austin Family Attorneys for Custody, Property & Support Cases

Screenshot of the Kirker Davis LLP Website

Kirker Davis LLP — Best Divorce Attorney in Austin

https://www.kirkerdavis.com/
8310-1 N Capital of Texas Hwy Bldg 1, Ste 350, Austin, TX 78731, USA

Kirker Davis LLP is a boutique Austin divorce law firm team built around high-stakes family law. Founding partners Holly R. Davis and Chris M. Kirker both graduated from Baylor University School of Law before starting the practice in 2013.

The firm regularly handles cases involving multi-million-dollar estates, closely held businesses, and high-profile clients. Its work covers contested and collaborative divorce, arbitration, marital agreements, and business litigation.

Both founders have been named to the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 list for more than a decade running. Their commentary on family law has appeared on ABC, CBS, Fox News, Newsweek, and USA Today. The office sits along N Capital of Texas Highway and serves clients across Central Texas.

Screenshot of the Cofer & Connelly, PLLC - Austin Criminal Defense & Family Lawyer Website

More than 200 years of combined experience and over 300 jury trials sit behind this downtown practice. Its attorneys include former felony prosecutors and a former judge, which shapes how they read the other side of a case.

Cofer & Connelly handles divorce, spousal maintenance, and parental rights alongside criminal defense and injury claims. The team works in courthouses across Travis, Hays, Williamson, and Burnet counties.

Austin Chronicle readers have voted the firm Best Lawyer five years running, and it holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Satellite offices in San Marcos, Kerrville, Lubbock, and Blanco extend their reach well past the Austin divorce attorney market.

Screenshot of the Smith & Bledsoe Family Law Website
7719 Wood Hollow Dr #220, Austin, TX 78731, USA

Managing partner Christian Smith and trial attorney Brandon Bledsoe lead a team with over 25 years of combined family law experience. The practice takes only family matters, and it offers a free case evaluation before you commit to anything.

Divorce work here runs from uncontested filings to high-asset splits with contested assets. The firm also takes family law appeals, arbitration, and protective orders, which many smaller offices refer out.

Both partners hold Avvo top attorney ratings, and Smith has appeared on Super Lawyers lists in consecutive years. An LGBT family law practice rounds out what this Austin divorce attorney group covers.

Screenshot of the Thompson Salinas Londergan, LLP Website
8911 N Capital of Texas Hwy Building 4 Suite 4260, Austin, TX 78759, USA

Marshall A. Thompson, Lisa Londergan, and Carlos G. Salinas run this boutique firm, which has served Central Texas for more than 15 years. All three partners concentrate on family law rather than splitting time across other areas.

The team favors negotiated outcomes and offers collaborative divorce for couples who want to avoid court. It also handles military divorce, business valuation, and separate property tracing.

Unusually for a firm this size, its attorneys take international child abduction and Hague Convention matters. Cases run through Travis and Williamson counties plus Hays, Caldwell, Bastrop, Burnet, and Blanco.

Screenshot of the Mat Rueda Law Firm - Austin Divorce Lawyer Website

Matias Jose Rueda graduated from Texas A&M University School of Law and founded this practice. The office has handled Austin family law since 2001. Attorney Rueda takes cases at both ends of the financial spectrum.

Some clients face divorce alongside foreclosure. Others have significant assets and property to protect. He works toward mediated settlements first, then litigates when that path closes. Grandparents' rights and court order modifications round out the practice.

Screenshot of the Jimmy Vaught of Counsel for the Eggleston Law Firm Website
12400 St. Hwy. 71 West, Ste. 350-322, Austin, TX 78738, USA

Fewer than one percent of Texas lawyers hold board certification in both family law and civil appellate law. Jimmy Vaught is one of them. That makes him a rare resource when a family court ruling needs to be challenged.

A Texas attorney since 1980, he brings more than 45 years of practice. He has argued before the Third Court of Appeals in Austin. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and a past chair of the State Bar's Family Law Section.

His firm merged with The Eggleston Law Firm in June 2025, and he now leads the appellate practice there. Many of his appeal clients arrive as referrals from other Texas family lawyers.

Screenshot of the Albizu Law Website
111 W Anderson Ln. Suite D-207, Austin, TX 78752, USA

Iris Albizu built a bilingual practice pairing family law with immigration and nationality law. That combination matters when a split touches a spouse's status. She earned her law degree at Inter-American University School of Law in San Juan. She later worked complex litigation as a contractor for the U.S. Department of Justice.

The firm handles divorce, adoption, parenting matters, spousal support, and CPS cases. Austin Monthly named it to the 2025 Top Attorneys list in immigration law.

Spanish-speaking families across Austin, Leander, Round Rock, and San Marcos make up much of the client base.

Screenshot of the Weinman & Associates, P.C. Website
11734A Schriber Rd, Mustang Ridge, TX 78610, USA

Daryl Weinman has practiced in Austin since 1994. She has been board certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2000. A finance background sits behind her work on marital estates and support disputes.

She is also a Certified Financial Litigator through the American Academy of Certified Financial Litigators. Her three associate attorneys all practice family law exclusively, and her paralegals average more than 25 years in the field.

Weinman was named a Super Lawyer in 2024 and 2025. The firm handles divorce, conservatorship, out-of-state relocation, and the division of marital assets.

Screenshot of the Law Office of Ben Carrasco, PLLC Website
108 Wild Basin Rd S Suite 250, Austin, TX 78746, USA

Stanford Law School training and board certification in family law give Ben Carrasco credentials that few Central Texas practitioners match. That certification is held by fewer than 1% of Texas attorneys.

His office takes divorce and custody litigation and nothing else. Contested cases make up most of the docket, including jury trials, property disputes, enforcement actions, and protective orders.

Attorney Carrasco brings in expert witnesses and financial advisors on complex matters. He represents clients in Travis, Williamson, and Hays County courts.

Screenshot of the Sanchez & Flores, Attorneys at Law LLC Website
2800 S I-35 Frontage Rd #135, Austin, TX 78704, USA

Sisters Adelina Sanchez and Bianca Flores both finished law school in Houston in 2012. They worked side by side for a decade before opening this South Austin firm in 2022. Adelina is a daughter of immigrants and earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Texas with honors.

The practice concentrates on divorce litigation, child support, and order modifications. The pair have tried cases across several Texas counties, and they build strategies around what a client can realistically afford.

Screenshot of the Law Office of Lisa Richardson, P.C. Website

Before family law, Lisa Richardson spent ten years as an Assistant Attorney General litigating environmental cases for the State of Texas. That trial and multi-party negotiation background carried over when she shifted her focus in 2008.

She is a credentialed mediator through the Texas Mediator Credentialing Association and mediates civil, probate, and family matters for other attorneys. The firm handles high-asset divorce, complex asset division, contested custody, and CPS investigations.

Based in Round Rock, the office serves Williamson and Travis counties, plus Georgetown and Austin. Richardson has been selected to Texas Super Lawyers.

Screenshot of the Bustos Family Law PLLC Website
1101 S Capital of Texas Hwy Building G, Suite 150, Austin, TX 78746, USA

Flat-fee pricing sets this practice apart from the hourly billing most Austin firms use. Clients know the cost of a divorce at the outset rather than watching invoices climb.

Lisa Marie Bustos founded the firm in 2012. She brings a psychology degree to work that is as emotional as it is legal. She handles divorces, annulments, parenting plans, support, and property disputes.

Super Lawyers has named her a Rising Star, and the paperless office keeps client communication quick.

Screenshot of the The Eggleston Law Firm, PC Website
5324 Reimers-Peacock Rd Building 1 Unit B, Spicewood, TX 78669, USA

Working from Spicewood on the western edge of the Austin area, this firm has taken family cases since 2011. Janice M. Eggleston and Bryan E. Eggleston built the practice around divorce, custody, support, modifications, and enforcement actions.

Its reach covers Travis, Bastrop, Bell, Burnet, Blanco, Caldwell, Comal, Hays, Llano, and Williamson counties. Appointment-only offices in San Marcos and North Austin serve clients closer to those courthouses.

Adding board-certified appellate attorney Jimmy Vaught in 2025 gave the firm a family law appeals practice that most mid-sized offices lack.

Screenshot of the Thompson Law Website
3601 S Congress Ave Suite B200, Austin, TX 78704, USA

Scott A. Thompson started his career at a global law firm in New York City that recruited him straight out of law school. Four years later, he moved to Austin and served as a Texas criminal prosecutor before founding Thompson Law in 2016.

That mix shows in the caseload, which spans high-net-worth divorce and serious criminal defense. Property valuation and complex financial matters are a particular strength.

Super Lawyers has recognized Thompson in family law, alternative dispute resolution, and criminal defense.

Screenshot of the Deyerle Silva Smith, PLLC Website
3410 Far W Blvd Suite 275, Austin, TX 78731, USA

Three founding partners bring over 30 years of combined family law experience to this Far West Boulevard practice. Candice B. Deyerle has been board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2016, while Kody C. Silva and Lianna Garza Smith each have more than a decade in the field.

The firm takes on divorces involving businesses, multi-million dollar estates, and privacy concerns. It also handles cases where addiction, mental health conditions, or a child's special needs complicate the outcome.

Recognition includes Avvo Client Choice awards, Super Lawyers listings, and Best Lawyers. Clients come from Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, and Bell counties.

Screenshot of the Benouis Law Website
4401 West Gate Blvd, Suite 330, Austin, TX 78745, USA

Catherine Benouis graduated magna cum laude from the University of Illinois. She started out at Jones Day, first in Chicago and then in Austin. Licensed since 1990, she has spent over 30 years on family matters.

She is board-certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Under one percent of Texas lawyers hold that credential. Her caseload includes high-asset divorce, complex asset division, prenups, and collaborative divorce.

Attorney Benouis has represented Texas business owners, high-net-worth families, and same-sex couples. She was selected to the Super Lawyers list in 2024.

Screenshot of the Melissa M. Williams Website
1114 Lost Creek Blvd #310, Austin, TX 78746, USA

Collaborative law is the centerpiece here rather than an afterthought. Melissa M. Williams is a charter member of the Collaborative Institute of Texas and a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.

Licensed since 1995 and certified in family law since 2000, she argues courtroom fights raise costs and animosity. She still litigates in Travis County when settlement talks fail.

Clients work directly with Attorney Williams from consultation through resolution, not with a rotating team.

Screenshot of the Law Office of Amy K. Gehm, L.L.C. Website
1114 Lost Creek Blvd #310, Austin, TX 78746, USA

Amy K. Gehm has taken family matters exclusively since 1998 and earned board certification in 2002. She spent six years with the Law Office of Jennifer Tull before opening her own practice in 2006.

Her strength is financially complex work: characterizing and tracing assets, dividing closely held corporations, and untangling sophisticated marital estates. She serves Travis, Hays, Williamson, Bastrop, and Caldwell counties.

Screenshot of the Gregory Hitt, Family Law Attorney Website
7000 N Mopac Expy Suite 200, Austin, TX 78731, USA

Gregory Hitt has run his own practice since 1995, after starting out at the Austin firm now known as Jackson Walker. He earned his law degree from the University of Texas in 1992.

Board certified in family law and working as a mediator, he takes high-asset divorce and premarital agreements. His cases run through Travis, Williamson, and Hays counties.

Screenshot of the Austin, Texas Divorce Attorney - Jason Wright Law Website

Licensed in 2012, Jason Wright founded his North Austin practice the same year. He handles complex and high-net-worth divorce, asset division, and custody disputes for families in Austin, Round Rock, and Williamson County.

The firm also takes education law cases, including IEP enforcement and school discipline. Wright made the 2024 Super Lawyers list and Austin Monthly's Top Attorneys.

Screenshot of the Kazen Family Law & Divorce Lawyers Website
609 West 9th Street, Suite 101, Austin, TX 78701

David A. Kazen has practiced family law in Austin for nearly 30 years and has held board certification since 2006. His downtown office concentrates on high-asset divorce, paternity, conservatorship, and complex estates.

Martindale-Hubbell gives him an AV Preeminent rating and names the firm a Client Champion. He settles where he can and litigates when the other side will not negotiate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a divorce lawyer in Austin cost?

Most charge hourly against a retainer. Rates in Travis County typically range from a few hundred dollars per hour. A retainer is a deposit, not a flat price, and it is drawn down as work progresses. A few Austin firms now offer flat-fee packages for agreed cases.

How long does a divorce take in Travis County?

Sixty days at the absolute minimum. Texas requires a 60-day waiting period between filing and a final order. Agreed cases here often wrap up in two to three months. Contested cases usually run nine months to two years, longer when a business valuation is involved.

Do you have to live in Austin to file for divorce here?

Six months in Texas, 90 days in the county. One spouse must meet both clocks. Only then can a Travis County court take the case. File before the state clock runs and the court may lack authority to grant the divorce. The county rule concerns venue, so a filing in the wrong county is usually transferred.

Is legal separation an option in Texas?

No, Texas does not recognize it. There is no formal separate status while you decide what to do. Couples who want breathing room use temporary orders or written agreements covering bills, the house, and a possession schedule. An attorney can put those terms in writing before anyone files.

How is property split in a Texas divorce?

Community property, divided just and right. Texas Family Code section 7.001 tells judges to divide the marital estate in a way that is right and just. That is not always down the middle. Anything either spouse earned during the marriage is presumed community property. Gifts, inheritances, and pre-marriage assets stay separate if you can prove it.

Can you get alimony in Texas?

Only in narrow circumstances. Texas calls it spousal maintenance, and courts rarely order it. Under Family Code section 8.051, the usual route requires a marriage of at least ten years. The spouse asking must also be unable to meet minimum reasonable needs. Family violence within two years of filing is the other main path.

Types of Family Law Cases Austin Attorneys Handle

Contested Divorce. One or both spouses disagree on money, the house, or the children. These cases move through discovery, temporary orders, and mediation before any trial setting.

Uncontested and Agreed Divorce. Both spouses already agree on the terms. An attorney drafts the final order so nothing is left out, and the case can close shortly after the 60-day wait.

High-Net-Worth Divorce. Business interests, restricted stock, retirement accounts, and multiple properties complicate the estate. These cases usually need a valuation expert and a forensic accountant.

Conservatorship and Possession. Texas uses conservatorship rather than custody. Courts decide who makes decisions about school, medical care, and religion, and when each parent has the children.

Child Support. Texas sets support as a percentage of the paying parent's net resources, scaled to the number of children. Modifications and enforcement actions are common years after the original order.

Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements. These contracts set the terms before a dispute exists. Texas courts generally enforce them, and challenges succeed only on narrow grounds.

Protective Orders and Family Violence. These cases move fast and carry criminal consequences. They also affect conservatorship and can open a spousal maintenance claim.

How to Choose a Divorce Attorney in Austin

Check for board certification in family law. The Texas Board of Legal Specialization certifies a small share of Texas attorneys in this area. It signals a written exam, peer references, and years of case volume in the practice.

Ask how often they appear in Travis County courts. Judges at the Heman Marion Sweatt Courthouse on Guadalupe run their dockets differently. A lawyer who works in those courtrooms weekly knows what each judge expects.

Match the firm to the size of your estate. A solo who handles agreed cases well may not suit a marriage with a business in it. The reverse also applies, and paying a large firm to file a simple case wastes money.

Ask who actually works on your file. Some firms hand the day-to-day to an associate after the first meeting. That is fine if you know it up front and meet that person.

Get the fee agreement in writing. Read what the retainer covers, what triggers a refill, and how expert fees are billed. Ask what happens to any unused balance at the end.

Ask about their mediation record. Most Austin cases end in a mediated settlement agreement. A lawyer who prepares seriously for mediation saves you a trial you did not need.

What Affects the Outcome of an Austin Divorce

No two Texas divorces resolve the same way. Judges weigh the length of the marriage, each spouse's earning capacity, and who cares for the children day-to-day. Fault can matter too. Texas still allows grounds like adultery and cruelty, and a judge may award one spouse more of the community estate. Separate property claims turn on documentation, so bank records and closing statements often decide six-figure questions. Spousal maintenance remains rare and is capped by statute even when awarded. An Austin family law attorney can look at your facts and give you a realistic picture before you file.

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