Top 5 Divorce Lawyer in Houston

Divorce lawyers in Houston often meet clients who have been thinking about this decision for months, sometimes years, before making the first call. Maybe you’re worried about the house, the retirement accounts, or most of all, how much time you’ll get with your kids. Those worries are normal, and a good lawyer’s first job is to replace guesswork with a clear plan.

Texas divorce has its own rules. It’s a community property state, it has a mandatory waiting period, and it handles spousal support very differently from many other states. The five Houston firms below were chosen for board certification in family law, peer recognition, depth of experience, and the kinds of cases they handle best.

1. Fullenweider Wilhite

When a divorce involves a family business, stock options, oil and gas interests, or multiple properties, Fullenweider Wilhite is one of the first names Houston lawyers recommend. The firm handles family law only and has six lawyers listed in The Best Lawyers in America, the top count among Houston family law firms in that guide.

• Lawyers are Fellows of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
• Susan McLerran appears on the 2026 Houston Super Lawyers Top 100 list
• Founding partner Donn Fullenweider holds board certification in both Family Law and Civil Trial Law

Other attorneys often refer their own clients here, which says plenty about its reputation.

Phone: (713) 624-4100

2. Jenkins & Kamin, L.L.P.

Lynn Kamin has practiced family law since 1988, holds board certification in Family Law, and has been recognized by Best Lawyers every year since 2005. She’s also on the 2026 Houston Super Lawyers Top 100 list, a cross-practice ranking where family lawyers rarely appear.

Kamin belongs to the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists and the Burta Rhoads Raborn Family Law American Inn of Court, and she has contributed to the Houston Bar Association’s Family Law Handbook. The Greenway Plaza office makes it convenient for clients in Upper Kirby, River Oaks, and West University.

Phone: (713) 600-5500

3. Bo Nichols Law, PLLC

Some divorces settle at mediation. Others don’t. If your spouse has already hired an aggressive lawyer or custody is seriously disputed, trial skill becomes the deciding factor. John “Bo” Nichols, a native Houstonian, is board certified in Family Law and serves as senior faculty at the National Family Law Trial Institute, where he trains other divorce lawyers from across the country in courtroom technique.

He has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2009 and was named to Texas Super Lawyers for many years. His office sits on Shepherd Drive, just south of the Heights.

4. Laura Dale & Associates, P.C.

Houston is a global city, and plenty of marriages here cross borders. Laura Dale’s firm handles international divorce, parental relocation, and Hague Convention child abduction cases alongside ordinary Texas divorces.

Every case gets a team made up of a lead attorney, an associate, and a paralegal, so clients always have someone to call. The firm includes multiple board-certified lawyers, speaks several languages, and often works with mental health and financial professionals during mediation. Phones are answered 24/7.

Phone: (713) 600-1717

5. Boudreaux Hunter & Associates, LLC

This Galleria-area boutique celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2026 by nearly doubling its office space. Shannon Boudreaux has practiced family law exclusively for more than two decades and has served as a court-appointed amicus attorney, investigating what’s best for children in custody disputes. She also has deep experience with LGBTQ+ family law, from cohabitation agreements to divorce.

Partner Kevin Hunter is a decorated U.S. Air Force veteran who served on the Air Force One detail at Andrews Air Force Base. That background makes the firm a natural fit for military families dealing with deployments, pensions, and out-of-state moves.

Phone: (713) 333-4430

Texas Divorce Basics Worth Knowing

Before your first consultation, these points help you ask better questions:

• At least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in the filing county for 90 days.
• Texas requires a 60-day waiting period after filing before a divorce can be finalized, with limited exceptions for family violence.
• Property acquired during marriage is presumed community property and divided in a “just and right” manner, which isn’t always 50/50.
• Court-ordered spousal maintenance is limited. It’s usually capped at the lesser of $5,000 a month or 20% of the paying spouse’s average monthly gross income.
• Guideline child support for one child is 20% of the paying parent’s net resources, up to a statutory cap.
• Collaborative divorce, where both sides agree to settle without court, is fully recognized in Texas and often costs less.

FAQs

Q1. How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Houston?

A: Most charge hourly with an upfront retainer. Uncontested divorces cost far less than contested ones with custody or business disputes.

Q2. How long does a divorce take in Texas?

A: At least 60 days after filing. Contested cases in Harris County often take six months to a year or longer.

Q3. Is Texas a 50/50 divorce state?

A: No. Courts divide community property in a “just and right” way, which can be unequal depending on the facts.

Q4. Do I need a board-certified family lawyer?

A: It isn’t required, but board certification signals substantial experience and a passed specialty exam.

Q5. Can we get divorced without going to court?

A: Yes. Many couples settle through mediation or collaborative law, and the judge simply signs the agreed decree.