Filing for divorce in Corpus Christi? Start here.
A Texas divorce takes at least 60 days from the day you file, and the choices you make early about property, custody, and which lawyer you hire shape everything that follows. Texas is a community-property state, so most of what you and your spouse earned during the marriage is split between you. The right Corpus Christi family lawyer protects what matters to you and keeps the case from dragging. Every firm below has a verifiable Nueces County family-law practice.
If you are getting divorced in Corpus Christi, you file in a Nueces County district court, and your case runs under Texas family law. Texas requires you to live in the state for six months and in the county for 90 days before you can file, and there is a mandatory 60-day waiting period after filing before any divorce can be finalized. An uncontested divorce where you and your spouse agree on everything can wrap up not long after that window closes; a contested one with fights over property or children takes much longer.
Two things drive most of the cost and stress. The first is property: Texas splits community property, meaning most assets and debts from during the marriage, in a way the court considers just and right, which is not always 50-50. The second is children: custody, called conservatorship in Texas, plus a possession schedule and child support set under state guidelines. A lawyer who handles these cases week in and week out in Nueces County knows the local judges and what a reasonable settlement looks like before anyone steps into a courtroom.
The firms below all have a verifiable Corpus Christi family-law practice and were confirmed across at least two independent sources. Several attorneys are board certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a credential held by a small fraction of Texas lawyers, or recognized by the peer-selected Super Lawyers directory. Most offer a free or low-cost first consultation.
How we picked these 9: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Justia, Expertise.com, FindLaw) and each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Corpus Christi-area divorce practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
Practice focus: Divorce, child custody, support, property division
Gregory Spivey founded the Spivey Law Firm and concentrates his practice on family law, representing Corpus Christi clients through divorce, custody, and support matters for more than 18 years.
Why they made the list: A dedicated family-law practice with nearly two decades of Corpus Christi divorce experience.
Practice focus: Divorce, custody, modifications, family law
James M. Hendrex has guided Corpus Christi-area families through divorce and related disputes for more than 30 years, with the kind of long local track record that helps when a case is likely to be contested.
Why they made the list: Three decades of Corpus Christi family-law experience for clients who expect a fight over assets or children.
Practice focus: Divorce mediation, property disputes, custody, premarital agreements
Michael P. O'Reilly has been board certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1979 and also holds a civil trial law certification. He handles divorce, property division, child custody, and premarital agreements, and works as a family-law mediator.
Why they made the list: One of the longest-certified family-law specialists in the area, and a trained mediator when settlement is the goal.
Practice focus: Divorce, custody, support, family law
Lindsay M. Browne has 20 years of family-law experience and personally handles every case the firm takes, which appeals to clients who want one attorney on their file from start to finish rather than a rotating cast.
Why they made the list: A single experienced attorney on your case the whole way, not a handoff to junior staff.
Practice focus: Divorce, custody, complex property, trial
Kelly Koch holds a federal court license and has significant trial experience in divorce and parenting matters. She has been recognized by the peer-selected Super Lawyers directory, which names roughly the top five percent of attorneys in a practice area.
Why they made the list: Real courtroom experience and peer recognition for cases that may not settle quietly.
Practice focus: Divorce, custody, complex litigation
Melody Cooper brings 25 years of complex litigation and trial experience to family-law cases, which matters when divorce involves a business, significant assets, or a custody dispute headed for a hearing.
Why they made the list: A litigator's background for high-conflict or high-asset Corpus Christi divorces.
Practice focus: Divorce, family law, custody
William A. Thau III is an experienced Corpus Christi family-law attorney listed in the peer-selected Super Lawyers directory, handling divorce and related disputes across Nueces County.
Why they made the list: Peer recognition through Super Lawyers signals a track record other local family lawyers respect.
Practice focus: Divorce, custody, family law
Susanne Bonilla Harrold has been recognized with Super Lawyer and Attorney of the Year honors for her work in divorce and family law, and represents Corpus Christi clients across the full range of family disputes.
Why they made the list: Award recognition and a focused family-law practice in the Coastal Bend.
Practice focus: Divorce, custody, complex family matters
The Rothschild Law Firm handles Corpus Christi family-law matters with a board-certified attorney on staff, taking divorce and custody cases regardless of size or complexity.
Why they made the list: Board certification in family law for clients who want a recognized specialist.
Tell us a little about your situation and where you live. We will connect you with a Corpus Christi divorce lawyer for a free, confidential consultation. No obligation.
Match the lawyer to the kind of divorce you actually have. An uncontested split where you agree on everything needs a different lawyer than a contested fight over a business or custody. Ask each firm how many cases like yours they have handled in Nueces County in the last three years.
Ask whether they are board certified or recognized by peers. Texas board certification in family law and Super Lawyers recognition both signal a deeper track record. Several attorneys on this list hold one or both.
Decide whether you want mediation or a courtroom. Most Texas divorces settle, often through mediation. If you want to avoid a trial, prioritize a lawyer or mediator with a settlement focus; if a fight is coming, prioritize trial experience.
Get the fee and scope in writing. Uncontested divorces are often a flat fee; contested ones are usually hourly. Confirm what the quoted fee covers, the hourly rate, and the retainer before you sign.
What a divorce costs in Corpus Christi depends almost entirely on whether it is contested. Typical ranges in this market:
Always get the fee structure, the retainer, and what triggers extra charges in a written engagement letter before you sign.
No two divorces move at the same speed, but a Texas case follows a recognizable arc:
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a win, a number, or a court ruling, walk away.
The disappearing senior partner. You meet a named partner at intake, then never hear from them again while an unsupervised junior runs the file. Ask in writing who handles your matter day to day.
Pressure to sign on the spot. Reputable firms give you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a volume-mill signal.
No verifiable track record. Look for named results, peer rankings, board certifications, or bar recognition — not "we have helped thousands of clients."
Vague fees. Every legitimate firm will put the fee structure, what is covered, and what triggers extra charges in a written engagement letter.
Most of the firms on this list offer a free or low-cost initial call. Use it. Bring a written list and write down the answers, then compare across two or three firms before you sign anything.
You will get more out of the first call if you arrive organized. For most divorce matters, gather:
If you are not sure whether something is relevant, bring it anyway. It is easier for a lawyer to set aside what does not matter than to chase down what you left at home.
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with one of these firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
At least 60 days from the day you file, because Texas requires a 60-day waiting period. An uncontested divorce can finalize shortly after that. A contested divorce with disputes over property or children often takes six months to a year or more.
Texas is a community-property state, so most assets and debts acquired during the marriage are divided in a way the court considers just and right. That is often close to equal but does not have to be. Property you owned before the marriage or received by gift or inheritance is usually separate.
An uncontested divorce is commonly a flat fee of about $1,500 to $3,500. A contested divorce is usually billed hourly, often $250 to $450 per hour, with a retainer up front. The bigger the fight, the higher the total.
Often, no. Most Texas divorces settle, frequently through mediation, and only require a brief final hearing. You usually end up in a contested trial only when you and your spouse cannot agree on property or children.
Conservatorship is the Texas term for legal custody, meaning the rights and duties each parent has. It is separate from the possession schedule, which sets when each parent has the children. Most Texas parents are named joint managing conservators.
Yes. Texas is a no-fault state, so you can get divorced on the ground of insupportability even if your spouse objects. A contested divorce takes longer, but one spouse cannot block it by refusing to cooperate.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? The answer tells you a lot. — The LawFirmSquare team
LawFirmSquare is a directory. We do not represent clients or refer cases for a fee.