Ending your marriage is a huge decision. After filing the paperwork, most people want the final decree entered as quickly as possible. There are two main types of divorce—contested and uncontested.
A contested divorce takes longer as there are one or more issues that you cannot resolve, such as child custody.
An uncontested divorce means you and your spouse agree on all matters and terms, and your divorce could be finalized sooner.
So how long does an uncontested divorce take in Texas? Unfortunately, there’s a mandatory waiting period, even with an uncontested divorce.
Uncontested Divorce in Texas—How Long Does It Take?
Even if you and your spouse are amicable and agree on every little detail, you’re still looking at a minimum of 60 days before the final divorce decree can be entered. While that may not seem like a quick divorce, you may be surprised to see how fast those 60 days fly by.
Filing an uncontested divorce helps move things forward faster. With a contested divorce, you would need to work through all remaining undecided factors such as spousal support, child custody, child support, and property settlement division.
When there are no disputes, you can submit your paperwork to have a judge review it as soon as possible. The family court judge will look over the agreement to ensure it complies with the law before granting a divorce.
You might assume that a Texas divorce lawyer is unnecessary if you’re filing an uncontested divorce. However, it’s always recommended to speak with an attorney. You may be agreeing to a divorce settlement agreement that contains some unfavorable terms toward you.
Factors That Can Impact How Long a Divorce Takes in Texas
The main factor that can impact how long your divorce takes is whether you are filing a contested or uncontested divorce. While it’s possible to resolve any remaining issues quickly, there is no escaping the 60-day waiting period.
Another factor that can impact how long your divorce takes is the types of problems that are being contested. For example, it could take a lot longer to reach an agreement on child custody than to resolve your division of marital assets.
Emotions and personality can impact the timeframe. If spouses are not being reasonable or let emotions get in the way of working toward a resolution, the divorce can unnecessarily drag on much longer than it needs to.
Your spouse’s attorney could also impact how long the divorce takes. If your spouse has an attorney who is notorious for fanning the flame in high-conflict divorce proceedings, the attorney might encourage your spouse to delay the proceedings and wait for the judge to decide all outstanding issues.
Hiring a Texas Divorce Lawyer
When you’ve decided to end your marriage, or your spouse served you with divorce paperwork, it’s best to speak with an attorney to verify everything is in order.
At the Larson Law Office, we are a family-owned law firm. We understand what an emotional time this is for you and are here for you. We pride ourselves on our personalized client service. To learn more about how we can help with your Texas divorce, contact our office today to schedule a consultation.
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