Can You Keep Divorce Records Sealed in Texas?

Quick Overview: Can You Keep Divorce Records Sealed in Texas?

Texas divorce records are generally public. Anyone can access them unless the court orders the records sealed. To seal a divorce file, you must show that your privacy interests outweigh the public’s right to access the information. Judges in Dallas, Collin, Denton, and Tarrant counties will consider the request—but they require specific reasons and proper legal procedure. With the right strategy, many families successfully keep sensitive financial and personal information out of public view.

Key Facts for Keeping Divorce Records Sealed in Texas?

Divorce is stressful enough without worrying that details about your finances, career, children, or personal life might become public. Many people in the Dallas–Fort Worth area—especially business owners, executives, public figures, and high-net-worth families—ask if it’s possible to keep their divorce private. The good news: yes, you can request to seal divorce records in Texas, but it isn’t automatic. You need a clear legal basis and a strong showing of why privacy is necessary.

Texas divorce records are public by default.

You can request the court to seal some or all of your divorce file.

Judges grant sealing only when there is a strong, clearly justified privacy need.

Sensitive financial information, business records, and personal details are the most common reasons for sealing.

High-profile and high-net-worth families often use sealing to protect reputations, businesses, or children.

Sealing doesn’t happen automatically—you must file a formal motion and follow specific procedures.

What Texans Should Know About Sealing Divorce Records

Sealing a divorce record isn’t guaranteed, but many people in DFW have compelling reasons. Courts balance privacy with transparency, so the key is demonstrating why confidentiality is necessary.

To keep divorce records sealed in Texas, understand these important points:

• Divorce Files Are Public Unless You Ask to Seal Them
Most court filings—including petitions, financial documents, and final decrees—are open to public inspection by default.

• You Must File a Motion to Seal
Your attorney must file a detailed motion explaining:

• What records should be sealed
• Why sealing is necessary
• How privacy outweighs the public’s interest

This must be done correctly to be taken seriously.

• Courts Require a “Specific and Serious” Privacy Interest
Judges won’t seal records just because someone prefers privacy. Acceptable reasons include:

• Large business holdings
• Trade secrets
• Financial statements revealing proprietary data
• High-profile careers
• Public safety concerns
• Information that could harm children
• Personal information that could be exploited

DFW judges see these requests regularly, but they must meet legal standards.

• Sensitive Financial Information Is Often Sealable
Business ownership, executive compensation, trusts, K-1 statements, and investment information can be sealed to protect competitive or financial interests.

• Trade Secrets or Business Data Can Justify Sealing
If a spouse’s business interests require privacy—client lists, valuations, contracts, IP, or revenue data—the court is far more likely to seal the records.

• Children’s Information Is Strong Grounds for Sealing
Courts prioritize:

• Medical records
• Counseling notes
• School information
• Personal identifying details

Judges frequently seal records to protect children.

• High-Profile Families Often Benefit From Sealing
Executives, physicians, business owners, entrepreneurs, and public personalities may seal records to avoid media attention, financial exposure, or reputational damage.

• Partial Sealing Is Also Possible
You can request sealing for:

• Only financial records
• Only exhibits
• Only a portion of the final decree
• Only sensitive testimony

It doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing.

• Mediation Protects Privacy Automatically
Almost all DFW divorce mediations are confidential by law. Even if the final decree becomes public, what you discuss in mediation is protected.

• Private Judges or Arbitration Increase Privacy
Some high-net-worth families use private judges or arbitration to keep filings minimal and most details hidden from the public.

How Ashmore Law can help

Protecting an inheritance in a Texas divorce requires skill, strategy, and a deep understanding of separate property law. Ashmore Law has decades of experience helping clients across Dallas–Fort Worth preserve inheritances, gifts, and generational wealth.

Ashmore Law helps clients by:

• Tracing separate property funds through complex financial records
• Protecting inherited real estate, investments, and high-value assets
• Preventing or reducing reimbursement claims from the other spouse
• Drafting postnuptial agreements to safeguard inheritances
• Handling disputes involving commingled accounts or mixed assets
• Working with forensic accountants when necessary
• Presenting strong, organized evidence to Texas courts
• Building strategies that preserve family wealth long-term

Whether your inheritance is a modest sum or part of a large family estate, Ashmore Law can help you keep what is rightfully yours—and protect your financial future through every step of the divorce process.

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