When you decide that you need to file for divorce, you don’t want to spend a long time waiting, stuck in an unhappy and failed marriage. While it is normal to want to move quickly with what will surely be a painful process, it takes several times longer to end a marriage than it does to legally get married in Texas.
Provided that you meet the residency requirements and file the necessary paperwork with the local family courts, how long will it take you to divorce in Texas?
There is a mandatory waiting period
Some couples either have a prenuptial agreement already negotiated or are able to settle their major personal matters, like property division and child custody, on their own for an uncontested divorce filing.
Even if you show up to court already in agreement on how to handle your divorce, you will still need to wait at least 60 days from when you initially file to go back to court to finalize your divorce. Regardless of whether or not you have children and whether you have a contested or uncontested filing, you will need to wait roughly two months between when you first file for divorce and when the courts eventually approve your request.
Of course, the divorce can take much longer than that. Many people wait substantially more than 60 days between their initial filing and when they go back to court to finalize everything. Contested proceedings and fault-based divorces may take longer for couples to resolve than more straightforward divorces. Only in cases involving certain kinds of domestic abuse can people potentially qualify for a faster divorce.
Speed should not be your primary concern
Filing for divorce is not like removing an adhesive bandage. Doing it as fast as possible will not inherently reduce the pain involved. In fact, speeding through the process without proper consideration could have the opposite effect.
You can actually hurt your future prospects by agreeing to disadvantageous terms just to divorce as quickly as possible. Taking the time to really consider what you need for your future and learning about your rights under Texas law can help you protect your future as you contemplate your upcoming divorce. Learning more about the process of divorce in Texas will help you feel more comfortable with making big changes for your family.