Attorneys in Denton

The Denton County District Clerk files civil and criminal district-court cases at the McKinney Street courthouse. Texas sets firm clocks on many claims:

• Personal injury: generally two years from the day the claim accrues, which is usually the day of the injury. Wrongful death: generally two years from the date of death.
• Minors: time while a person is under 18 generally isn't counted, but health care claims follow their own rule (a child under 12 has until age 14).
• Health care claims: written notice at least 60 days before suit, generally filed within two years, with an absolute 10-year limit.
• Claims against a government: the Texas Tort Claims Act entitles a governmental unit to notice within six months, and city charter notice periods are ratified, so a city's deadline may differ.

In Tort Claims Act cases, bodily injury and death damages against the state or a city are capped at $250,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence, and against other local governments at $100,000 and $300,000. Property damage has a separate $100,000-per-occurrence cap.

This is a summary of Texas rules, not legal advice; confirm how they apply to your situation with a licensed Texas lawyer.

Full-time private practitioners in Dallas-Fort Worth reported a median of $388 an hour for 2025 in the State Bar's survey, against $368 statewide. The figure mixes all practice areas, so ask each Denton lawyer for a written fee quote.

Denton contingency fee agreements

A contingent fee contract must be in writing and signed by you and the lawyer. It must say how the fee is calculated, any different percentages for settlement, trial or appeal, and which expenses come out and when. Ads offering contingency fees must say whether you'll owe other costs. More on fee types is on our Texas attorneys guide.

For a first opinion, the State Bar's Lawyer Referral & Information Service, (800) 252-9690, arranges up to a 30-minute consultation for no more than $20, and TexasLawHelp.org has free guides and a legal aid directory.

The State Bar's Find a Lawyer directory covers every Texas-licensed attorney and filters by board certification, languages and fee options. The same lookup shows disciplinary history, and the Bar publishes an Ineligible Attorney List. "Board Certified" in an ad means certification by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization or an accredited body, in areas such as Personal Injury Trial Law, Family Law, Criminal Law and Civil Trial Law.

Solicitation after a Denton accident

Texas generally bars lawyers and certain others from sending written personal injury or wrongful death solicitations before the 31st day after an accident. Paying someone to solicit clients, or soliciting in person or by phone, is barratry, a third-degree felony. A contract that came from barratry can be voided, with fees refunded plus a $10,000 penalty.

Write down dates first: when the incident happened, when you got any notice, and who else was involved. Texas proportionate responsibility rules bar a claimant found more than 50 percent responsible, and reduce others' damages by their own share, so be ready to describe what you did, too. No attorney can guarantee a result; treat a promise as a warning.

Grievances go to the State Bar on its form effective October 1, 2025. If a lawyer took your money or kept an unearned fee, the Bar's Client Security Fund can repay clients, generally after a grievance finds that happened. Lawyer ads and solicitation letters are reviewed by the Bar's Advertising Review Department. For a property dispute, our Denton real estate agents page covers the tax and disclosure rules. Courts and county offices are on the Denton page, and Corinth, also in Denton County, files district cases with the same clerk.