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How long does it take to get a divorce in Texas?

Walter Jackowiec, Illinois managing attorney | Marble Law

By Julie Gray, Texas Managing Attorney.

September 21, 2025 · 5 min read

Waiting in limbo is torture. You need to know when you can move forward with your life. While every case is different, over 75,000 clients have trusted us to guide them through efficiently — here's what you can realistically expect for your Texas divorce timeline.

Quick Timeline Overview

Minimum waiting period: 60 days (no exceptions for most cases)
Uncontested divorces: 61-90 days typical
Simple contested: 4-6 months average
Complex contested: 6-12+ months possible

Texas's Mandatory 60-Day Waiting Period

Texas law requires a mandatory 60-day waiting period after filing before any divorce can be finalized. This "cooling off period" starts the day you file your Original Petition.

Limited exceptions exist only for:

Family violence cases with protective orders
Active military deployment situations
Certain emergency circumstances

Even uncontested divorces where both spouses agree on everything must wait the full 60 days. No amount of agreement or legal representation can bypass this state requirement.

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Realistic Timelines by Divorce Type

Uncontested Divorce: 61-90 Days

When both spouses agree on all terms (property, custody, support), your timeline looks like:

File petition: Day 1
Serve spouse/waiver: Days 1-7
Prepare final documents: Days 30-45
Schedule prove-up hearing: Day 50-60
Final hearing: Day 61+

The attorneys who work with Marble have streamlined this process for thousands of Texans, often finalizing uncontested cases right at the 61-day mark.

Simple Contested Divorce: 4-6 Months

Disagreements on a few issues typically require:

Filing and service: Month 1
Temporary orders hearing: Month 1-2
Discovery process: Months 2-3
Mediation: Month 3-4
Settlement or trial prep: Months 4-5
Final hearing: Month 4-6

Most cases settle in mediation, avoiding lengthy trial delays.

Complex Contested Divorce: 6-12+ Months

High-conflict cases involving businesses, substantial assets, or custody battles face extended timelines:

Extensive discovery: 3-6 months
Multiple mediation sessions: 2-4 sessions
Expert evaluations: 2-3 months additional
Trial scheduling: 6-9 months out
Post-trial motions: 1-2 months possible

What Makes Some Divorces Take Longer?

Disagreements Multiply Delays

Every contested issue adds time:

Property division disputes: +1-2 months
Custody evaluations: +2-3 months
Business valuations: +1-2 months
Hidden asset investigations: +2-4 months

Court Scheduling Backlog

Texas courts, especially in urban counties, face significant backlogs:

Harris County (Houston): 4-6 month trial wait
Dallas County: 3-5 month wait
Travis County (Austin): 3-4 month wait
Bexar County (San Antonio): 4-5 month wait

Rural counties often move faster with 2-3 month waits for trial dates.

Attorney Tactics

Traditional hourly attorneys sometimes have no incentive to work quickly. More time equals more billable hours. That's why Marble's pay-per-step model motivates efficiency — we succeed when your case moves forward, not when it drags on.

Missing Deadlines or Documents

Common delays include:

Incomplete financial disclosures: +2-4 weeks
Missed response deadlines: +3-4 weeks
Improperly served papers: +2-3 weeks
Wrong or missing forms: +1-2 weeks per error

How to Speed Up Your Texas Divorce

Start With Agreement

The more you can agree on upfront, the faster you'll finish:

Use mediation early, not as last resort
Focus on big issues, compromise on small ones
Keep emotions out of property decisions
Think long-term, not revenge

Get Documents Ready Now

Gather everything before filing:

Last 3 years tax returns
12 months bank statements
Property deeds and titles
Retirement account statements
Debt documentation

Choose Efficiency-Focused Representation

Work with attorneys motivated to resolve, not prolong. Over 2,300 clients have given Marble 5-star reviews because we:

Use technology to reduce administrative delays
Provide fixed pricing that rewards efficiency
Know local court procedures and judges
Keep you informed with real-time updates

Avoid Trial at All Costs

Trials add 3-6+ months minimum. Statistics show:

80% of mediated cases settle
95% of divorces never reach trial
Trial outcomes rarely differ dramatically from settlement offers

Take Control of Your Timeline Today

Every day matters when you're ready to move forward. The experienced attorneys who work with Marble understand that efficiency matters as much as outcomes.

Why we're different:

Fixed pricing means we're motivated to work efficiently
Technology streamlines document handling and communication
Local expertise avoids procedural delays
Payment plans keep finances from slowing progress

Get your personalized timeline. In a free 15-minute consultation, we'll assess your specific situation and provide a realistic timeline for your case.