Texas Divorce and Dissolution Resources: Know Your Next Step
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A Texas divorce is filed in the District Court, usually in the Family District Court, and the paperwork you start with depends on whether you have minor children together and whether there is property to divide.
Texas's core family statutes live in the Texas Family Code. In Texas, a parent without a lawyer can file family papers online, and filing on paper with the clerk is still allowed. The official sources below cover the petition documents, the statewide forms collection, and the court's own filing instructions.
Official Texas divorce resources
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Texas family law forms (official index) (Texas judicial branch): The official statewide collection of Texas family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://www.txcourts.gov/rules-forms/forms
Texas court self-help resources (Texas courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own Texas family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.texaslawhelp.org
eFileTexas.gov (Tyler Technologies): Texas has one statewide e-filing system that works in every county, and people without lawyers are welcome to use it. E-filing is required for attorneys but optional for you, so paper filing with the district clerk also works. https://www.efiletexas.gov/
Texas official filing information (Texas judicial branch): The court's own page explaining how documents are filed in Texas and what a parent without a lawyer is allowed to do. https://www.txcourts.gov/
Texas financial affidavit and disclosure forms (texasattorneygeneral.gov): The official source for the financial disclosure paperwork most Texas family cases ask both sides to complete. https://www.txcourts.gov/programs-services/self-help/
Texas mediation and dispute resolution (Texas judicial branch): Official information on mediation and other ways to settle a Texas family case without a trial. https://www.txcourts.gov/css/accessibility-remediation.css
Verified official Texas divorce documents
These official documents cover starting a divorce, responding to one, settling, and the final orders. Requirements vary by county, so confirm the packet with your clerk before filing.
Final Decree of Divorce, No Children (FM-DivA-201), form FM-DivA-201 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://texaslawhelp.org/sites/default/files/2021-11/fm-diva-201_div_no_kids_decree_english_-_petitioner.pdf
Final Decree of Divorce, With Children (FM-DivB-201), form FM-DivB-201 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://texaslawhelp.org/sites/default/files/2025-09/fm-divb-201_decree_divorce_w_kids_english_2025_legis_updates_0.pdf
Original Petition for Divorce, No Children (Set A) (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.texaslawhelp.org/sites/default/files/2024-03/fm-diva-100_div_no_kids_petition_english_2024.pdf
Original Petition for Divorce, With Children (Set B) (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://texaslawhelp.org/sites/default/files/2024-10/fm-divb-100_div_w_kids_petition_english2024_v2.pdf
Respondent's Original Answer (FM-DivAD-102), form FM-DivAD-102 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://texaslawhelp.org/sites/default/files/2021-09/fm-divad-102_div_no_kids_answer.pdf
Supreme Court Approved Divorce Forms (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.txcourts.gov/media/515764/divorceset1forms.pdf
Waiver of Service Only (FM-DivAD-103), form FM-DivAD-103 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://texaslawhelp.org/sites/default/files/2021-09/fm-divad-103_div_no_kids_waiver.pdf
Official link data for Texas was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file for divorce in Texas?
In the District Court, usually in the Family District Court that serves the county where you live. In Texas, a parent without a lawyer can file family papers online, and filing on paper with the clerk is still allowed.
How much does it cost to file a family case in Texas?
Divorce filing fee: ~$250-$350 by county. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk about a fee waiver or indigency application; every state has a process for requesting one.
Do I need a lawyer to file a Texas divorce?
No. Texas publishes its family law forms for people representing themselves, and the self-help resources on this page exist for exactly that. A consultation still makes sense when there is a business, a pension, or a serious safety issue in the case.
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