How long will my divorce take?

As the year comes to a close, we often times have both existing and new clients who come to see us and ask if we can get them divorced before the New Year. Some will want to be divorce for tax purposes, while others may want to start the New Year off as a single person. Often times this is not possible. It is important to understand that in Texas, there is a mandatory 60 day waiting period from the date you file your petition until you can finalize your divorce. In order to finalize a divorce immediately upon the expiration of the 60 day waiting period, couples need to be in complete agreement regarding all issues such as property division, child custody, child support and spousal maintenance. Very rarely are couples able to make agreements with 60 days because of the high level of detail that is needed to properly finalize a divorce. On average, uncontested divorces take between 90 and 120 days to finalize, while on average a contested divorce can take six months to a year, or even longer in certain cases.

Hiring an attorney can help you expedite your divorce process because an attorney will be familiar with the court system and what documents the court will require to finalize your divorce. Additionally, an attorney can advise you on a legally sound agreement that fits your needs, which is less likely to be modified in the future.