Finding a Family Lawyer in Weatherford and Parker County: Divorce, Custody, Child Support and Protective Orders

The short answer

In a private family case in Texas, such as a divorce or a custody case between parents, you usually do not get a free court-appointed lawyer TexasLawHelp.org, "How to Find and Afford an Attorney in a Family Law Case". You can hire a lawyer, apply for free help from legal aid, or represent yourself. Parker County's own list of self-help resources points you to the State Bar's lawyer referral service, Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas in Weatherford, the Texas State Law Library and TexasLawHelp.org Parker County District Clerk, "Notice of Self Help Resources". For a protective order, call the Parker County Attorney's Office at (817) 594-8409 and ask for the Assault Family Violence Unit Parker County Attorney, Assault Family Violence Unit, "Protective Order Information" (Rev. February 2026).

Will the court give me a free lawyer for a divorce or custody case?

Usually not. In private family cases, parents are not entitled to a court-appointed lawyer. That includes divorces, custody cases, modifications and some enforcement cases TexasLawHelp.org, "How to Find and Afford an Attorney in a Family Law Case". TexasLawHelp.org also lists paternity, adoption and private termination of parental rights as cases where Texas law does not give a low-income person a lawyer TexasLawHelp.org, "The Right to a Lawyer in Family Law Cases".

TexasLawHelp.org describes three exceptions TexasLawHelp.org, "The Right to a Lawyer in Family Law Cases". Two of them are:

• CPS cases. When a government agency such as DFPS asks a court to end your parental rights or to name a conservator for your child (conservatorship is what some people call custody TexasLawHelp.org, "How to Find and Afford an Attorney in a Family Law Case"), the court must appoint a lawyer for you if you are indigent (cannot afford a lawyer) and oppose the case Tex. Fam. Code §107.013(a). See Getting a CPS Lawyer in Weatherford and Parker County, Texas.
• Possible jail in an enforcement case. If the court decides you could go to jail in a case to enforce visitation or child support, an indigent person has a right to a lawyer, but only for the contempt part of the case TexasLawHelp.org, "The Right to a Lawyer in Family Law Cases". Contempt means the court finds that a person disregarded its order TexasLawHelp.org, "How to Find and Afford an Attorney in a Family Law Case". This can apply to an obligor, the parent who pays child support TexasLawHelp.org, "How to Find and Afford an Attorney in a Family Law Case".

In some private cases, the court may appoint a lawyer for the child, called an attorney ad litem or amicus attorney, but it does not have to TexasLawHelp.org, "The Right to a Lawyer in Family Law Cases".

Where are family cases filed in Parker County?

Divorce, custody and child support cases in Parker County's district courts are filed with the District Clerk, the clerk for the 43rd and 415th Judicial District Courts Parker County, "District Clerk". Parker County's county courts at law also have district-court jurisdiction Tex. Gov't Code §25.1862. Addresses and phone numbers are on the Parker County and Weatherford, Texas: CPS and Family Courts, Court Records, DFPS Office and Free Legal Help page.

The District Clerk's office cannot give legal advice and does not provide forms for lawsuits or divorces. It points people to TexasLawHelp.org for forms Parker County District Clerk FAQ, "Where can I get forms to file my lawsuit or divorce?". Its forms page lists a divorce form for uncontested cases with no minor children and no real property, and an Affidavit of Inability to Pay Court Costs Parker County District Clerk, "Forms". Ask legal aid or a lawyer whether that affidavit fits your situation.

How do I find a family lawyer to hire in Weatherford?

• The State Bar's Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS). Parker County's notice lists it Parker County District Clerk, "Notice of Self Help Resources". Call (800) 252-9690, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central State Bar of Texas, "Lawyer Referral & Information Service". The lawyer you are referred to gives up to a 30-minute consultation for no more than $20 State Bar of Texas, "Lawyer Referral & Information Service". The service has no lawyers who work free or at reduced fees, so later fees are whatever you and the lawyer agree to State Bar of Texas, "Lawyer Referral & Information Service".
• The State Bar's Find a Lawyer search lets you search by location and area of practice TexasLawHelp.org, "How to Find and Afford an Attorney in a Family Law Case". The directory also lists any public disciplinary actions against a lawyer TexasLawHelp.org, "How to Find and Afford an Attorney in a Family Law Case".

A few basics from TexasLawHelp.org before you hire TexasLawHelp.org, "How to Find and Afford an Attorney in a Family Law Case":

• Family lawyers cannot take family cases on a contingency fee, which is a fee paid only if you win.
• Some lawyers offer limited scope representation. That means they handle one task, like drafting a document or going to one hearing.
• One lawyer cannot represent both spouses or both parents, even if you agree on everything.
• No lawyer can guarantee a particular outcome.

What does "Board Certified in Family Law" mean?

A board-certified lawyer has met criteria set by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS) in a particular practice area TexasLawHelp.org, "How to Find and Afford an Attorney in a Family Law Case". Family Law is one of the areas of law under the TBLS's jurisdiction Texas Board of Legal Specialization, "Texas Plan for Recognition and Regulation of Specialization in the Law" (revised 1/31/2025). Its minimum standards include at least five years of full-time law practice, substantial involvement in the specialty, and passing a written exam. Certification must be renewed at least every five years Texas Board of Legal Specialization, "Texas Plan for Recognition and Regulation of Specialization in the Law" (revised 1/31/2025). Certification is voluntary, and no lawyer has to be certified to practice family law Texas Board of Legal Specialization, "Texas Plan for Recognition and Regulation of Specialization in the Law" (revised 1/31/2025).

Is there free legal aid for family cases in Weatherford?

Yes, for people who qualify. Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas has a Weatherford office at 100 Austin Ave., Ste. 201, Weatherford, TX 76086, phone 817-594-6332 Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, "Weatherford" office. You apply by calling Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the office serves Parker County Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, "Weatherford" office. TexasLawHelp.org lists divorce, child custody and visitation, and protective orders among its areas of expertise. Its Legal Aid Line is (888) 529-5277 TexasLawHelp.org, Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas.

The office also holds clinics at Freedom House, 1149 Fort Worth Hwy., Weatherford, for general civil matters, including family law Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, "Weatherford" office. They are on the 1st Wednesday of each month (except December), 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., by appointment only Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, "Weatherford" office.

Who qualifies? Each legal aid group sets its own rules, which can include income, where you live and the type of case TexasLawHelp.org, "Qualifying for Legal Aid". A common limit is household income below 125% (and sometimes 200%) of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. If the other party in your case lives with you, do not count that person or their income. Qualifying does not mean a group will automatically take your case TexasLawHelp.org, "Qualifying for Legal Aid".

Can I ask a lawyer a question for free?

Yes. TexasLawHelp.org LiveChat lets you chat for free with a Texas-licensed lawyer, Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Legal advice is only for people who qualify, but legal information is for everyone TexasLawHelp.org, "Ask a Question". On Texas Free Legal Answers, Texans with low or modest incomes can post a question, and a volunteer lawyer answers by email TexasLawHelp.org, "Ask a Question".

What if I need a protective order?

Call the Parker County Attorney's Office at (817) 594-8409, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and ask for the Assault Family Violence Unit Parker County Attorney, Assault Family Violence Unit, "Protective Order Information" (Rev. February 2026). In Texas, the county attorney (or criminal district attorney) files protective order applications unless the district attorney takes on that job Tex. Fam. Code §81.007(a), and you cannot be charged a fee to apply Tex. Fam. Code §81.002. That office does not handle custody, visitation, child support or property disputes Parker County Attorney, Assault Family Violence Unit, "Protective Order Intake Packet" (Rev. February 2026). See Protective Orders in Parker County, Texas. If you are in danger, call 911.

What should I bring to a family lawyer?

At the very least, bring your driver's license or other ID, every pleading or motion already filed if the case has started, and payment if the lawyer charges for the first meeting TexasLawHelp.org, "How to Find and Afford an Attorney in a Family Law Case". You will also need the other spouse's or parent's legal name and any other names they use, so the lawyer can check for a conflict TexasLawHelp.org, "How to Find and Afford an Attorney in a Family Law Case".

It also helps to bring:

• any court orders you already have, such as a divorce decree or a custody or child support order;
• papers you were served with, and your next hearing date;
• recent proof of income;
• a short list of key events, in date order.

Our free case binder keeps papers, dates and contacts organized on your own device, and nothing is uploaded.

Questions to ask a lawyer

TexasLawHelp.org suggests questions like these TexasLawHelp.org, "How to Find and Afford an Attorney in a Family Law Case":

• Do you practice in Parker County, and have you handled cases like mine?
• Do you charge for the first meeting? Do you have a flat fee, or an hourly rate?
• Will you give me a written fee agreement?
• Will you or an associate handle my case, and how will you keep me updated?
• Do you use mediation or other ways to avoid a trial?
• About how long will my case take?

What the law says

The best interest of the child shall always be the primary consideration of the court in determining the issues of conservatorship and possession of and access to the child.

In plain words: in a custody case, the judge's main question is what is best for your child.

The county attorney or the criminal district attorney is the prosecuting attorney responsible for filing applications under this subtitle unless the district attorney assumes the responsibility by giving notice of that assumption to the county attorney.

In plain words: the county attorney's office is the one that files protective order applications, unless the district attorney takes on that job.

Related

• Getting a Divorce in Parker County, Texas
• Child Custody in Texas: Conservatorship, Possession and the Best Interest of the Child
• Child Support in Texas: How It Is Calculated and Who Collects It
• Changing a Custody or Child Support Order in Texas (Modification)
• Establishing Paternity in Texas
• Grandparents' Rights in Texas: Custody and Visitation
• Protective Orders in Parker County, Texas
• Termination of Parental Rights in Texas CPS Cases
• Getting a CPS Lawyer in Weatherford and Parker County, Texas
• Parker County and Weatherford, Texas: CPS and Family Courts, Court Records, DFPS Office and Free Legal Help