Flat Fee Divorce in Dallas - Even for Contested Cases
30+ Years Dallas Family Law · 300+ Five-Star Reviews
What Does Flat Fee Actually Mean?
A flat fee means you pay one fixed amount for your case, from day one through mediation — not an hourly rate that compounds every time your attorney reads an email, takes a call, or attends a hearing. At the Law Office of Chris Schmiedeke, your flat fee is determined during your initial consultation based on the specifics of your case. Once agreed upon, the fee is yours — it doesn’t grow.
This isn’t a discount. It’s a different way of doing business — one that respects your time, your budget, and your need for certainty during an uncertain chapter of your life.
Flat Fee Divorce in Dallas: Key Takeaways
- A flat fee divorce means one fixed price for your case from day one through mediation — set at your consultation, put in writing, and it does not increase.
- The Law Office of Chris Schmiedeke offers flat fees on both agreed and contested divorces; most Dallas firms only offer flat fees on agreed cases.
- Agreed (uncontested) divorce flat fees start at $5,000. Contested divorce flat fees start at $12,000.
- Court appearances, phone calls, emails, negotiations, and mediation are all included — there is no hourly meter. If a case has to go to trial, that is a separate agreement and a separate fee.
- Payment plans are available, and your exact fee depends on the specifics of your case.
How much does a divorce cost in Dallas, Texas?
At the Law Office of Chris Schmiedeke, an agreed divorce is a flat fee starting at $5,000 and a contested divorce is a flat fee starting at $12,000, quoted in full at your consultation before any work begins. Traditional hourly firms often reach $15,000 to $25,000 or more on contested cases, with no fixed ceiling, because they bill for every call, email, and court appearance.
What is a flat fee divorce?
A flat fee divorce is a divorce handled for one fixed price, agreed in writing at the start of the case, instead of an hourly rate that grows as the case goes on. The fee covers full attorney representation — filings, correspondence, negotiations, mediation, and hearings — so you know your total cost before you begin.
Can you get a flat fee for a contested divorce in Texas?
Yes. Most Texas attorneys only offer flat fees on agreed (uncontested) divorces and bill contested cases by the hour, but the Law Office of Chris Schmiedeke offers flat-fee pricing on contested divorces as well. After 30+ years handling contested cases in Dallas County, the firm can quote a fixed price up front, including cases involving property-division and child-custody disputes.
Hourly Billing vs. Flat Fee Pricing
| Traditional Hourly Billing | Our Flat Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| When you learn the cost | After the work is done | Before the work begins |
| Risk of cost overrun | High — contested cases average $15,000–$25,000+ | None through mediation — fee is fixed |
| Phone calls and emails | Billed in 6- or 15-minute increments | Included in your flat fee |
| Court appearances | Billed per appearance | Included |
| Negotiations and mediation | Billed hourly | Included |
| Contested cases available? | Yes (hourly) | Yes — flat fee even for contested |
| Who absorbs extra work? | You (the client) | The firm |
| Budget certainty | Low | Complete |
Traditional Hourly Billing:
You learn the cost after the work is done
Contested cases average $15,000–$25,000+
Phone calls and emails billed in 6-15 minute increments
Court appearances billed per appearance
You absorb all extra work
Our Flat Fee:
You know the cost before we begin
Fee is fixed through mediation — no overruns
Phone calls and emails included
Court appearances included
The firm absorbs extra work
Why Most Attorneys Won't Do This - And Why We Do
Flat fee billing for agreed divorces is fairly common. One price, limited scope, easy to estimate. But contested cases? That’s where most attorneys say “we have to charge hourly — it’s too unpredictable.”
We disagree.
After 30+ years of handling contested divorces in Dallas County, we have the experience to accurately estimate what a case requires. We’ve seen what drives up costs, what accelerates resolution, and how to keep proceedings on track. That experience is what makes flat fee pricing possible on contested cases — and it’s what protects you from the billing surprises that derail so many divorces.
What’s the catch? One honest exception. Your flat fee covers your divorce from day one through mediation — where almost every divorce settles. If yours is the rare case that has to go to trial, that’s a new agreement we talk through with you first — you’ll never be surprised.
How Flat Fee Pricing Works
- Free Consultation - We meet to understand your situation: assets, children, the level of agreement or disagreement with your spouse
- We Quote Your Flat Fee - Based on the specifics of your case, we provide a flat fee quote. You will know the full cost before signing anything.
- You Decide - No pressure. Take Time to review. If you move forward, your fee is agreed upon in writing.
- We Handle Everything Through Mediation - Filings, correspondence, negotiations, hearings, mediation - all included in your flat fee. No timer running.
- Your Case Concludes - Your divorce is finalized. The bill you signed matches the bill you pay. No surprises.
Is Flat Fee Divorce Right For You?
- Agreed (uncontested) divorces
- Contested divorces involving property division disputes
- Contested divorces involving child custody disagreements
- Cases where spouses simply can't agree and need a firm advocate
- High-conflict situations where you need certainty about what representation will cost
If you’re worried about what a contested divorce might cost – flat fee is exactly for you.
What Clients Say
“I had a great experience with this law office from start to finish. Everyone was very thorough and professional handling my case with expertise. Their communication and diligence went above and beyond my expectations. I am very glad I chose to have them represent me and would highly recommend this office to others.”
“I was appalled by the predatory practices employed by some other firms… I much preferred the approach centered around professional legal services offered by the Schmiedeke firm.”
“Don’t hesitate to hire these folks! They were very detailed about the divorce process from day 1, they were willing to fight for me, and their communication exceeded my expectations! Not only were they abundantly knowledgeable about every detail, they were also extremely emotionally present.”
300+ Reviews. Serving Dallas and surrounding counties since 1993.
Flat Fee Divorce - Frequently Asked Questions
Does flat fee mean I get less effort on my case?
No. Your flat fee covers the same representation that an hourly attorney would provide — filings, negotiations, hearings, correspondence, and strategy. The difference is how you’re billed, not how hard we work.
What if my case becomes more complicated than expected?
Your flat fee is set based on a thorough assessment of your case during the initial consultation. We account for complexity upfront. If something truly extraordinary arises that falls outside the original scope, we discuss it with you before any change.
How is the flat fee amount determined?
During your free consultation, we evaluate the key factors: children, property, level of disagreement, and any special circumstances. Based on that, we quote a flat fee that covers your case from day one through mediation.
Do I have to pay the full amount up front?
We work with you on payment structure. The specifics are discussed during your consultation, but the total amount is agreed upon before we begin — no surprises down the road.
Why don't more attorneys offer flat fees on contested cases?
Most attorneys say contested cases are too unpredictable to price upfront. What that means is they are inefficient and put all the uncertainty on you. After 30+ years handling contested divorces in Dallas County, we have the experience to accurately scope what a case requires. That experience is what makes this possible.
Ready to know the price before you start?
Schedule a free consultation with us. We’ll review your situation and give you a flat fee quote with no obligation.
What Your Flat Fee Looks Like
Every case is quoted individually at your consultation — but here's the honest starting point, so you're not left guessing:
Agreed (uncontested) divorce — flat fee from $5,000. Full attorney representation from start to finish. You'll see $1,000–$1,500 "flat fees" advertised around town — those are document-preparation services with no attorney actually representing you. This isn't that.
Contested divorce — flat fee from $12,000. One fixed price — filings, negotiations, mediation, hearings, all of it. Everywhere else, "contested" means hourly: they take a retainer, start the meter, and bill you for every call, email, and court date. You won't know what your divorce actually cost until it's already over — and it routinely lands at $15,000–$25,000 or more, with no ceiling. We tell you your number before we begin.
Payment plans available. Your exact flat fee is set at your consultation based on the specifics of your case. Pricing current as of July 2026.