Flat-Fee Divorce

Is a Flat-Fee Divorce Right for Your Situation?

A flat-fee divorce can be a good fit when you and your spouse are able to agree on any property and child-related terms, and are both willing to sign an agreed decree. “Any” is important here: some flat-fee plans are specifically designed for spouses with no property to divide, so agreement on property only becomes relevant when property exists.

In practical terms, a few conditions usually make a flat-fee divorce a good fit:

• Agreement on dividing property and debts, where there is property or debt to divide.
• Agreement on parenting and other child-related terms, where children are involved.
• Both spouses are genuinely willing to sign an agreed divorce decree.

Of course, knowing whether you can agree on everything isn’t always straightforward – particularly when emotions are still raw, or you don’t yet have a complete picture of your finances. A flat fee may not be the right fit if:

• You and your spouse can’t agree on the terms of the divorce.
• One spouse won’t sign the decree.
• Your case requires a contested court hearing or another court appearance before it can be finalized.
• You don’t yet know which assets and debts make up the marital estate.
• Temporary child support or spousal support is needed before the divorce is final, and you can’t agree on those arrangements between yourselves.

If any of these apply, it doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong or that your divorce has to become a drawn-out court battle. It simply means a flat-fee service may not suit where things presently stand. GBA offers other ways to move forward, and the firm’s legal staff can help you understand which approach best fits your circumstances.

What the Fixed Fee Covers

At Goranson Bain Ausley, the flat fee covers attorney’s fees and court filing fees for the preparation and filing of an Original Petition for Divorce, Waiver of Service, and Agreed Final Decree of Divorce.

Some cases require additional documents that fall outside that scope and involve a separate agreement and additional fees, such as a deed transferring real property or an order dividing a retirement account. If child support is involved, GBA Family Law also prepares the Wage Withholding Order and required child support forms as part of the flat fee. Necessary state-required forms are included throughout.

Four flat-fee plans are available, based on whether children are involved and whether property division has already been agreed:

• Flat Fee Divorce #1 – no children and no property.
• Flat Fee Divorce #2 – no children and agreed property division.
• Flat Fee Divorce #3 – agreed child issues and no property.
• Flat Fee Divorce #4 – agreed child issues and agreed property division.

The specific fee depends on the issues involved in your case. A typical flat-fee divorce costs $2,000 to $5,000+, with the attorney providing the specific amount during your initial consultation. For a deeper look at how this compares with other cost structures, see how much a divorce costs in Texas, or review our detailed flat-fee divorce FAQ.

What Happens If Your Divorce Becomes Contested

Even when you begin a divorce in agreement, circumstances can change. If your flat-fee divorce becomes contested, Goranson Bain Ausley will either credit any unearned portion of your fee toward a litigation retainer or refund it. And because GBA is a full-service family law firm, the same team can continue supporting you as your case evolves.

A disagreement may emerge, your spouse may decide not to sign the decree, or an issue may arise that requires the court’s involvement – and if that happens, it doesn’t mean you have to navigate the next stage alone or start again with another firm. Two situations commonly prompt this change: a spouse refusing to sign the decree, or the need to go to court before the divorce is ready to be finalized. In either situation, GBA Family Law will help you consider your options for representation and determine the appropriate next step, whether that means moving into a contested divorce process or taking another suitable path.

How the Flat-Fee Divorce Process Works

Knowing what happens next can make divorce feel a little more manageable. GBA’s flat-fee process follows Texas’s minimum waiting period, with the firm striving to complete the process in 61 days. The actual timeline depends largely on both parties’ cooperation and availability, so 61 days is a goal rather than a guarantee.

The process follows four steps:

1. Initial consultation, where an attorney reviews your circumstances, confirms which flat-fee plan applies, and explains the specific fee.
2. GBA Family Law prepares and files the Original Petition for Divorce (or an Answer, if you’re the Respondent), Waiver of Service, Agreed Final Decree of Divorce, and necessary state-required forms. If child support applies, this also includes a Wage Withholding Order and required child support forms.
3. The waiting period, during which the terms are agreed, and the decree is prepared.
4. The final prove-up hearing, where an attorney represents you and the judge signs the decree.

Under Texas Family Code § 6.702, a court generally cannot grant a divorce until 60 days after filing, making the 61st day the earliest the divorce can typically be finalized. If you’d like more guidance on what taking that first step can look like, see our guide to filing for divorce in Texas.

If a Flat-Fee Divorce Isn’t the Right Fit

Not every divorce begins with both spouses in complete agreement, and there’s nothing unusual about that. You may agree on some things but feel stuck on others, or simply need help finding a way forward that feels fair. The goal is to find the approach that gives you the right level of support and best fits your circumstances.

Divorce mediation may be worth exploring if you and your spouse need support to work through unresolved issues. If you need a more structured process while still hoping to stay out of court, Collaborative Divorce offers another path. And if most terms are already settled but your situation needs more flexibility than a fixed fee allows, a negotiated agreed divorce may be a better fit.

GBA Family Law offers other services for situations like these, so you don’t need to know which route is right before reaching out – the firm’s legal staff can help you understand your options and what makes sense for your circumstances.

Why Clients Choose Goranson Bain Ausley for a Flat-Fee Divorce

Even when a divorce begins simply, circumstances can change. GBA Family Law can continue supporting you if your case becomes more complex than expected.

There’s practical convenience, too. Flat-fee divorces are available through any of our Texas family law offices in Austin, Dallas, Flower Mound, Fort Worth, Granbury, Midland, Plano, and San Antonio.

Throughout the process, you work directly with an attorney and the firm’s legal staff, so you’re never expected to navigate the legal process or represent yourself simply because you’ve chosen a flat-fee service.

Goranson Bain Ausley is the largest family law firm in Texas and was recognized in Best Lawyers in America 2026 with more Family Law honorees than any other firm in the state. 

Learn more about why clients choose GBA.

Speak With a Flat-Rate Divorce Lawyer in Texas

When you’re considering divorce, having clarity about cost can remove at least one source of uncertainty. If you’d like to understand whether a flat-fee divorce fits your circumstances, schedule a consultation to discuss your situation, confirm the appropriate plan, and receive a specific fee for your case.

Flat-fee divorces are available through all GBA Texas offices, including Austin, Dallas, Flower Mound, Fort Worth, Granbury, Midland, Plano, and San Antonio.