Attorneys in Garland

Garland residents shopping for a lawyer are in a higher-priced metro: the State Bar of Texas put the 2025 Dallas-Fort Worth median at $388 an hour, against $368 statewide. Fees aren't fixed by law, so ask how the lawyer bills: hourly, flat or contingent. A contingent fee contract in Texas must be in writing and signed by both of you, and must say how the fee is calculated and which expenses come out.

Low-cost first consults near Garland

The Dallas Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service refers callers to a Dallas-area attorney for a 30-minute consultation for a $20 fee. The State Bar's service at (800) 252-9690 offers up to 30 minutes for no more than $20, though it sends Dallas County residents to their local referral service. TexasLawHelp.org has free self-help guides and forms.

Civil cases in Dallas County are filed with the Dallas County District Clerk, whose civil section is in the George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building at 600 Commerce Street, Suite 103, Dallas. To file for divorce in Texas, either spouse must have lived in the state for the preceding six months and in the filing county for the preceding 90 days, and a court generally can't grant the divorce until the 60th day after filing.

Injury claims have a clock: a Texas personal injury suit generally must be filed within two years after the cause of action accrues, usually the date of injury. Time while the injured person is under 18 generally isn't counted, though health care liability claims follow their own rule. Claims against a city can need notice within six months, and a city charter may set a different deadline. These rules have exceptions, so confirm your deadline with a licensed Texas lawyer.

The State Bar's Find a Lawyer directory lists every licensed Texas attorney and filters by board certification, languages and fee options. Look up the lawyer's disciplinary history there too. A lawyer may advertise as "Board Certified" only if certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, in areas such as Family Law, Criminal Law or Personal Injury Trial Law.

Be wary of anyone who approaches you first. Texas ethics rules generally bar in-person and live-phone solicitation, and written personal injury solicitations generally can't be sent before the 31st day after an accident. No lawyer can promise an outcome. Our Texas attorneys guide covers fee contracts in depth, the Garland city page has other local rules, and attorneys in Dallas are near the courthouse. This is general information; confirm how it applies to you with a licensed Texas lawyer.