Filing for divorce in Garland? The lawyer you pick shapes how your kids, your house, and your savings come out the other side. Here are the family law firms that show up again and again in the local rankings, with what they cost and who they fit.
Updated June 1, 202612 min readEditorially independent
A Garland divorce runs through the 401st, 470th, or one of the other Dallas County district courts in nearby Dallas, and Texas family law has rules that surprise people. Texas is a community property state, so most of what either spouse earned or bought during the marriage is split between you, and there is a mandatory 60-day waiting period before any divorce can be finalized. A lawyer who works these Dallas County courtrooms every week knows the judges, the associate judges who hear temporary orders, and what a reasonable settlement looks like before anyone sets foot in trial.
Cost depends almost entirely on one thing: whether you and your spouse agree. An uncontested divorce with no kids and few assets can be wrapped up for a modest flat fee. A contested case with custody and property fights billed hourly can run into five figures. The firms below span that whole range, from collaborative and mediation-first practices to hard-nosed litigators for high-conflict cases.
Most Garland-area family lawyers charge $250 to $450 an hour and ask for a retainer up front, though several offer flat fees for simple uncontested divorces, often in the $1,500 to $4,000 range. Many give you a free or low-cost first consultation, so you can get a read on your situation and your realistic options before you commit. Here are the firms worth a call.
How we picked these 8: 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 Garland-area divorce practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
A family-law-only firm serving Garland and the surrounding communities. Attorneys include board-certified family lawyer and mediator Katie Flowers Samler and Angel Berbarie, who has more than two decades handling complex property division and high-asset divorce. The firm appears across Expertise.com, Justia, and Martindale directories.
Why they made the list: A focused family law practice with board-certified depth for both straightforward and high-asset divorces.
Fee structure
Hourly with retainer; flat fee for uncontested matters
Managing attorney Gary Ashmore is board certified in family law and the firm handles divorce and family matters for Garland-area clients, including complex property partition, spousal support, and custody. Listed on Expertise.com, Justia, and Martindale.
Why they made the list: Board-certified family law specialization, which matters most when the marital estate is complicated.
Practice focus: Divorce, child custody, child support, paternity
A family-owned Garland firm that has represented local clients since 1991, handling divorce, custody, support, and paternity in and out of court for more than three decades. Cross-listed on Expertise.com, Justia, and Martindale.
Why they made the list: Deep local roots and three decades of Garland-area family court experience at an accessible scale.
Practice focus: Divorce, child custody and support, protective orders, marital agreements
A Garland family law office that represents individuals through divorce, custody, and support cases and helps create, modify, and enforce protective orders and marital agreements. Listed on Expertise.com and Thervo.
Why they made the list: Hands-on, single-attorney attention for clients who want one lawyer on their file start to finish.
Practice focus: Collaborative divorce, mediation, property division, paternity, custody
A practice that offers alternatives to courtroom litigation, using mediation and arbitration to resolve divorce, property division, paternity, and custody disputes for Garland-area families. Appears on Justia and Expertise.com.
Why they made the list: A mediation-first option that can keep a cooperative divorce out of court and lower the total cost.
Practice focus: Divorce, custody, support, modifications, family violence protective orders
A long-established Texas firm with a Garland office that handles the full range of family law alongside its other practice areas, giving clients access to a larger support team. Listed across Justia, FindLaw, and the firm's own site.
Why they made the list: A larger firm with a physical Garland presence and the bench depth to staff a contested case.
Serves GarlandHigh-volume family firmHourly / flat
Practice focus: Divorce, child custody, support, modifications, enforcement
A high-volume Texas family law firm that serves Garland and the broader Dallas-Fort Worth area, handling divorce, custody, and post-divorce modifications. Cross-listed on Justia and the firm's published practice pages.
Why they made the list: Broad availability and published guidance for clients who want a responsive, process-driven firm.
Practice focus: Divorce, child custody, property division, modifications
A family-focused Texas practice that serves Garland-area clients with divorce, custody, and property matters. Listed among Garland family law options on Expertise.com and Justia directories.
Why they made the list: A family-law-centered option to compare against the firms above before you commit.
Tell us about your situation and we'll match you with a Garland divorce attorney who fits your case, whether it's an amicable split or a contested custody fight. Free, confidential, no obligation.
How to choose between them in Garland
Match the firm to your level of conflict. If you and your spouse mostly agree, a mediation-first or flat-fee uncontested practice will save you thousands. If custody or a business is in dispute, pick a firm with real Dallas County trial experience.
Ask about board certification for complex cases. Texas board-certifies family law specialists. For a high-asset or high-conflict divorce, that credential signals tested depth; for a simple uncontested split it matters less.
Get the fee structure and retainer in writing. Most Garland family lawyers bill hourly against a retainer. Confirm the hourly rate, what the retainer covers, and whether an uncontested flat fee is an option before you sign.
What divorce help typically costs in Garland
Divorce pricing in Garland depends almost entirely on whether your case is agreed or contested. As rough guidance for the Dallas County area:
Uncontested divorce, no children: Flat fees commonly run $1,500-$3,500 when both spouses agree on everything.
Uncontested divorce with children: Often $2,500-$5,000 flat, given the parenting plan and support calculations.
Contested divorce (hourly): Typically $250-$450/hour against a retainer of $3,000-$7,500; total cost scales with the level of conflict.
High-conflict custody or high-asset case: Frequently $15,000-$40,000+ once you add experts, depositions, and trial.
Get two or three written quotes and compare what each fee actually covers. The cheapest flat fee is fine for a simple agreed divorce, but it is the wrong tool for a contested custody fight.
How long it takes
Texas builds in a mandatory waiting period, so even the simplest Garland divorce takes a couple of months:
Filing and service: You file the petition in Dallas County and your spouse is served or signs a waiver. The 60-day clock starts at filing.
Temporary orders: If you need interim custody, support, or use of the house, a hearing in the first few weeks sets the rules while the case is pending.
Discovery and negotiation: Weeks to months of exchanging financial information and negotiating, often through mediation, which Dallas County courts frequently require before trial.
Finalization: An agreed divorce can be finalized shortly after the 60-day waiting period. A contested case that goes to trial often takes six months to a year or more.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a divorce lawyer in Garland
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.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
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.
Who, specifically, will handle my matter day to day? Get a name and a direct email, not just the firm.
How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the structure in writing before you sign.
What out-of-pocket costs am I responsible for, and when? Filing fees, records, and experts add up - ask now.
What is the realistic range of outcomes? A good lawyer gives a range; a weak one promises the high end.
How long will this take? An honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
What is my deadline, and is it at risk? Many divorce matters carry hard filing deadlines.
How often will I hear from you? Set the communication cadence now.
What can I do to help my own case? The best lawyers will give you homework.
What is the worst-case outcome? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What to bring to your Garland consultation
You will get more out of the first call if you arrive organized. For most divorce matters, gather:
A short written timeline. Dates, names, and what happened, in order.
The key documents. Any contracts, letters, agreements, court orders, or filings you have received.
Your correspondence. Relevant emails, texts, or messages - and do not delete anything.
Any deadlines you know about. A court date, a signing deadline, or an agency notice.
Your questions. The 10 above are a good place to start.
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.
Talk to a vetted Divorce attorney in Garland
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with one of these firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions about divorce lawyers in Garland
How long does a divorce take in Garland?
Texas requires a 60-day waiting period after filing before any divorce is final. An agreed, uncontested divorce often finishes shortly after that window; a contested case can take six months to a year or more depending on custody and property disputes.
How is property divided in a Texas divorce?
Texas is a community property state, so most assets and debts acquired during the marriage are divided between the spouses in a way the court considers 'just and right.' Property you owned before marriage or received by gift or inheritance is usually separate. Outcomes depend on your specific facts.
Do I have to go to court to get divorced?
Often no. Many Garland divorces settle through negotiation or mediation and are finalized with a brief, uncontested hearing or by submission. You typically only face a full trial if you and your spouse cannot agree on custody or property.
How much does an uncontested divorce cost in Garland?
When both spouses agree on everything, a flat fee commonly runs $1,500-$3,500 with no children and somewhat more with children. A contested case billed hourly costs substantially more.
How is child custody decided?
Texas frames custody as 'conservatorship' and decides it based on the best interest of the child. Courts often name both parents joint managing conservators, with one parent's home setting the child's primary residence. A lawyer helps you build a parenting plan the court will accept.
Can I get spousal support in Texas?
Texas allows spousal maintenance in limited situations, such as a marriage of 10 years or longer where one spouse cannot meet their minimum reasonable needs, or in cases involving family violence. Amounts and duration are capped by statute.
What should I bring to a divorce consultation?
Bring a short timeline of the marriage, recent pay stubs and tax returns, a list of major assets and debts, any existing court orders, and your questions. The more the lawyer can see, the better the first read on your options.
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.
Helpful next steps
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