If you’re considering divorce in Texas, one of the first questions on your mind is likely: how long will this process take? It’s a question filled with uncertainty and anxiety, and understandably so. Divorce represents a significant life transition, and not knowing when you’ll reach the other side can add to the emotional weight you’re already carrying.
As a Dallas divorce attorney with over 25 years of experience guiding clients through Texas family law, I understand that you’re looking for honest answers, not empty reassurances. The truth is that divorce timelines vary significantly based on several factors, from the complexity of your assets to whether you and your spouse can reach agreements on key issues. While I can’t promise you an exact timeline without knowing the specifics of your case, I can provide you with realistic expectations based on decades of experience in Dallas-area family courts.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the various timelines you can expect, the factors that influence how long your divorce will take, and what steps you can take to potentially expedite the process. Whether you’re dealing with an uncontested divorce or preparing for a contested court battle, understanding the timeline ahead will help you make informed decisions about your future.
The Texas Mandatory 60-Day Waiting Period: What Every Spouse Needs to Know
Before we dive into the various scenarios that affect divorce timelines, let’s address the one constant in every Texas divorce: the mandatory 60-day waiting period. Under Texas Family Code, the court cannot finalize your divorce until at least 60 days have passed since the date your divorce petition was filed. This waiting period applies to every divorce in Texas, with only one exception—cases involving family violence where a protective order is in place.
This means that even if you and your spouse agree on absolutely everything from day one, the absolute fastest your divorce can be finalized is 61 days from filing. In reality, however, most divorces take considerably longer than this minimum period, even when both parties are cooperative.
The 60-day waiting period serves several purposes. It provides a cooling-off period that allows couples to ensure divorce is truly what they want. It also gives both parties time to gather necessary financial information, consider the implications of their decisions, and potentially work toward settlement agreements. For cases involving children, it allows time for temporary custody arrangements to be established and evaluated.
Understanding this baseline is crucial as you plan for the months ahead. When clients contact our family lawyer office asking if their divorce can be “done next week,” I have to deliver the reality: Texas law requires this waiting period regardless of circumstances. However, this doesn’t mean you should wait 60 days to take action. The sooner you begin the divorce process, the sooner that 60-day clock starts ticking.
Uncontested Divorce Timeline in Dallas: The Fastest Route to Finalization
An uncontested divorce occurs when both spouses agree on all major issues, including property division, debt allocation, and if applicable, child custody, visitation, and support arrangements. This is generally the quickest and most cost-effective way to dissolve a marriage in Texas.
Typical Timeline for Uncontested Divorce
For an uncontested divorce in Dallas County, you can typically expect the following timeline:
Weeks 1-2: Initial consultation with an uncontested divorce attorney in Dallas, gathering of necessary financial documents, and preparation of divorce petition and settlement agreement. During this phase, you’ll need to compile information about all marital assets, debts, income sources, and if you have children, details about their care and expenses.
Weeks 2-3: Filing of divorce petition with the Dallas County family court, payment of filing fees (currently around $300-$350), and service of divorce papers to your spouse. Your spouse then has until the Monday following 20 days after service to file an answer, though in uncontested cases, this is often waived.
Days 60-90: After the mandatory 60-day waiting period, if all agreements are finalized and paperwork is in order, the court can grant the divorce. In Dallas County, some judges will approve uncontested divorces through a process called a “prove-up” hearing, which may last only 15-20 minutes. Other judges may approve the divorce on the papers without requiring a hearing.
In my experience handling uncontested divorces across Dallas, Garland, Richardson, and surrounding areas, most cooperative couples complete their divorce in 2-4 months from start to finish. The exact timeline depends on court scheduling, how quickly documents are prepared and reviewed, and whether any issues arise that need additional attention.
What Can Delay Even an Uncontested Divorce?
Even when both parties agree to divorce, certain factors can extend the timeline:
Incomplete financial disclosure: If retirement accounts, real estate holdings, or business interests require professional valuation, this adds time to the process. Working with an experienced Dallas divorce lawyer can help you identify what documentation you’ll need early on.
Court scheduling: Dallas County family courts handle thousands of cases. Even for simple prove-up hearings, you may need to wait several weeks for an available court date.
Last-minute disagreements: Sometimes spouses think they agree on everything until they see the actual terms in writing. A seemingly simple child support calculation or property division detail can suddenly become contentious, converting an uncontested case into a contested one.
Attorney availability: If you’re working with a solo practitioner or small firm (like ours), scheduling can be more streamlined. Larger firms may have more scheduling complexity, though they also have more resources to dedicate to your case.
Contested Divorce in Dallas: Preparing for a Longer Process
A contested divorce occurs when spouses cannot agree on one or more significant issues. This might involve disputes over property division, spousal support, child custody arrangements, or any other major aspect of the divorce settlement. Contested divorces inherently take longer because they require additional legal procedures, discovery processes, and potentially a trial.
Typical Timeline for Contested Divorce
For contested divorces in Dallas County, here’s a more realistic timeline:
Months 1-3: Initial filing, service of citation, temporary orders hearing (if needed), and beginning of discovery process. Temporary orders address issues like who stays in the marital home, temporary child custody arrangements, and temporary financial support while the divorce is pending. As a Dallas divorce attorney who has handled numerous temporary orders hearings, I can tell you these early proceedings set the tone for the entire case.
Months 3-8: Discovery phase, including exchange of financial documents, interrogatories (written questions), requests for production of documents, and possibly depositions. This phase is crucial for uncovering all marital assets and understanding the financial picture. In high net worth divorce cases, this discovery can be particularly extensive and may involve forensic accountants and business valuation experts.
Months 6-12: Mediation attempts, settlement negotiations, and if necessary, preparation for trial. Texas courts strongly encourage mediation, and many Dallas County judges require it before setting a trial date. Mediation can be remarkably effective—in my practice, roughly 70% of contested cases settle during or shortly after mediation.
Months 12-18+: If a settlement isn’t reached, the case proceeds to trial. Trial preparation is intensive and includes finalizing witness lists, preparing exhibits, and developing a trial strategy. The trial itself might last anywhere from one day to several weeks, depending on complexity.
In my 25+ years practicing as a Dallas divorce lawyer, I’ve seen contested divorces resolve in as little as 6 months when parties eventually reach an agreement, and as long as 2-3 years for the most complex, contentious cases that go to trial and potentially appeal.
Factors That Extend Contested Divorce Timelines
Several factors can significantly lengthen a contested divorce:
Complex asset division: High-value estates, multiple properties, business ownership, stock options, and retirement accounts all require careful valuation and division. When one spouse owns a business, we may need to hire a forensic accountant to determine its fair market value and whether separate or community funds were used to build it.
Child custody disputes: Cases involving contested child custody often require child custody evaluations, which can take several months to complete. The court may appoint an amicus attorney or attorney ad litem to represent the children’s interests, adding another layer to the proceedings. Whether you’re a father seeking to protect your fathers rights divorce Dallas case or a mother ensuring your parental rights are protected, custody evaluations require patience and cooperation.
Discovery disputes: When one spouse is uncooperative with discovery requests or accused of hiding assets, the court may need to intervene through enforcement motions. This adds months to the timeline and increases legal costs substantially.
Court congestion: Dallas County family courts are busy. Trial settings may be 6-12 months out from when the case is deemed “trial ready.” Additionally, trials sometimes get reset due to court scheduling conflicts or attorney conflicts.
Spousal support disputes: When one party seeks significant spousal support (alimony), the case may require extensive financial analysis and expert testimony about earning capacity and financial need.
Special Circumstances That Affect Divorce Timelines
Beyond the uncontested versus contested distinction, several special circumstances can significantly impact how long your divorce takes:
Default Divorces When Your Spouse Won’t Respond
If your spouse is served with divorce papers but fails to file an answer within the required timeframe, you may be able to obtain a default judgment. However, this isn’t as quick as it might sound. After the deadline passes, you still must wait out the 60-day waiting period, provide proper notice of the default hearing, and prove up your case to the judge. Default divorces typically take 3-6 months, depending on service issues and court availability. As an experienced Dallas divorce attorney, I ensure all procedural requirements are met to avoid having a default judgment set aside later.
Military Divorces and Deployment Complications
When one spouse is in the military, additional federal protections under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) may apply. If the service member is deployed or on active duty, they can request a stay of the proceedings. Military pensions are also subject to specific division rules under federal law. These cases often take longer due to these complexities and may require coordination with military legal assistance offices. Military divorces in the Dallas area typically take 8-18 months depending on deployment status and asset complexity.
Divorces Involving Family Violence or Safety Concerns
When family violence is a factor, the court may waive the 60-day waiting period if a protective order is in place against the respondent. However, these cases often involve additional safety protocols, supervised visitation arrangements, and sometimes criminal proceedings that run parallel to the divorce. The legal process must balance the need for protection with ensuring due process. These sensitive cases require an attorney who understands both family law and the dynamics of domestic violence situations.
How to Potentially Speed Up Your Dallas Divorce Timeline
While you can’t eliminate the mandatory 60-day waiting period, you can take steps to avoid unnecessary delays:
- Gather financial documents early: Before your initial Dallas divorce lawyer consultation, start compiling tax returns, bank statements, retirement account statements, mortgage documents, vehicle titles, and credit card statements. The more organized you are from day one, the faster we can prepare and file your petition.
- Respond promptly to attorney requests: When your lawyer asks for information or documents, prioritize those requests. Delays in getting information back to your attorney translate directly into delays in your case timeline.
- Be realistic about settlement: The longer you fight over items of minimal value, the longer your divorce takes and the more it costs. Focus your energy on what truly matters—significant assets, your children’s wellbeing, and your financial future.
- Consider mediation early: Rather than waiting until you’re ordered to mediation, consider voluntarily engaging a mediator early in the process. Early mediation can resolve disputes before they escalate and before you’ve spent thousands on discovery.
- Hire an experienced local attorney: An attorney familiar with Dallas County family courts knows the local judges, understands their preferences, has established relationships with court staff, and can navigate the system more efficiently. Our firm has been practicing in Dallas courts for over two decades, and this experience translates into smoother, often faster, case resolution.
- Stay focused on the legal issues: Divorce is emotional, but allowing emotions to drive legal decisions usually extends the timeline and increases costs. When clients let anger or hurt feelings dictate strategy, cases that could have settled in months drag on for years.
Understanding the Cost Implications of Divorce Timeline
Time and money are intrinsically linked in divorce proceedings. As a Dallas divorce attorney who believes in transparent pricing, I want you to understand this reality: the longer your divorce takes, the more it will cost. Attorney fees are typically billed hourly, so more months of legal work means higher costs.
An uncontested divorce in Dallas might cost $2,500-$5,000 in attorney fees when everything goes smoothly. A contested divorce that settles before trial might range from $15,000-$40,000 per spouse depending on complexity. Cases that go to trial can easily exceed $50,000-$100,000 per spouse when you factor in discovery costs, expert witnesses, trial preparation, and the trial itself.
I share these figures not to discourage you from seeking legal representation—you absolutely need a skilled attorney to protect your interests—but to emphasize why controlling the timeline matters. Every continuance, every discovery dispute, every unnecessary motion adds to your legal bill.
At our firm, we offer honest case assessments during your initial consultation. We won’t promise you a quick, cheap divorce if your case doesn’t warrant that expectation. We also won’t drag out your case to maximize fees. Our goal is efficient, effective representation that achieves the best possible outcome in a reasonable timeframe. As an affordable divorce lawyer in Dallas, we work to balance quality representation with cost-consciousness.
What to Expect During Each Phase of Your Dallas Divorce
Understanding what happens during each phase can help you mentally prepare for the road ahead and reduce anxiety about the unknown.
Initial Filing Phase (Weeks 1-4)
During this phase, you’ll meet with your attorney, review your situation, discuss goals, and develop a legal strategy. Your Dallas family law attorney will prepare the original petition for divorce and file it with the court. Once filed, your spouse must be formally served with citation. This phase also involves determining whether you need to seek temporary orders for issues like temporary custody, use of the marital home, or temporary financial support.
Temporary Orders Phase (Months 1-3)
If you have children or significant financial concerns, temporary orders establish the rules while your divorce is pending. These might address temporary child custody schedules, child support payments, use and possession of property, and payment of bills. Temporary orders hearings typically occur within a few weeks to a couple of months after filing. These orders remain in effect until your divorce is finalized, so they’re quite important. As a child custody lawyer in Dallas, I take temporary custody arrangements very seriously because they often influence the final custody determination.
Discovery Phase (Months 3-9 in contested cases)
Discovery is the formal process of gathering information and evidence. Both sides exchange financial documentation, answer written questions (interrogatories), produce relevant documents, and may take depositions (recorded oral testimony). For clients dealing with complex financial situations—business ownership, professional practices, substantial retirement accounts, or real estate holdings—this phase is crucial but time-consuming. Discovery deadlines are set by the court, and missing deadlines can have serious consequences.
Mediation and Settlement Phase (Months 6-12)
Most Dallas County judges require mediation before setting a trial date. Mediation involves both parties, their attorneys, and a neutral third-party mediator working together to reach settlement. The process typically lasts 4-8 hours (or longer for complex cases) and takes place at the mediator’s office. Successful mediation can save you months of additional litigation and the stress and expense of trial. Even if you don’t settle everything at mediation, you often narrow the issues that need to be decided by the judge.
Trial Phase (Month 12+ if settlement isn’t reached)
If your case proceeds to trial, both sides present evidence and testimony to the judge (Texas doesn’t use juries in divorce cases unless specifically requested and on limited issues). The judge then makes decisions on all contested matters. Trial preparation is intensive and includes finalizing witness lists, preparing exhibits, developing examination strategies, and sometimes retaining expert witnesses. The trial itself might last one day for simpler cases or several days or weeks for complex divorces involving substantial assets or difficult custody disputes.
Dallas County Family Court: Local Considerations for Your Divorce Timeline
Dallas County has several family district courts, each with its own judge and procedures. While all Texas family courts follow the same Family Code, individual judges have different case management styles, scheduling preferences, and courtroom procedures. Some judges hold regular “prove-up” dockets for uncontested divorces every week, while others require individual settings. Some judges are more likely to grant temporary orders quickly, while others prefer to let the parties work things out.
As a Dallas divorce attorney who regularly appears in all the Dallas County family courts, I know these local nuances and how they might affect your timeline. For instance, I know which courts tend to have longer wait times for trial settings, which judges prefer mediation earlier in the process, and which courts have the most efficient administrative procedures.
Court congestion also affects timelines. Dallas County family courts handle thousands of cases annually. While the courts work hard to move cases along, scheduling constraints are a reality. This is why having local counsel who understands the system and has established professional relationships within the Dallas legal community can be advantageous.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dallas Divorce Timelines
Based on 25+ years of client consultations, here are the timeline questions I hear most often:
Can I get divorced in Texas in less than 60 days?
No. Texas law requires a 60-day waiting period from the date of filing before any divorce can be finalized. The only exception is when family violence is involved and a protective order is in place. Even if you and your spouse agree on absolutely everything and want the divorce completed quickly, you must still wait out this statutory period.
What is the average length of a divorce in Texas?
For uncontested divorces where both parties cooperate, the average timeline is 2-4 months from filing to final decree. For contested divorces, the average is 8-18 months, though complex cases involving significant assets or contentious custody disputes can take 2-3 years or longer. The specific timeline for your case will depend on its unique circumstances.
Does having children make divorce take longer?
Having minor children doesn’t automatically make divorce take longer, but it does add complexity. If parents agree on custody, visitation, and support, the timeline can still move relatively quickly. However, if custody is contested, the case will likely take longer due to the need for custody evaluations, home studies, or appointment of professionals to represent the children’s interests. The court’s primary concern is the best interest of the children, and determining this takes time.
Can my spouse delay the divorce indefinitely?
While an uncooperative spouse can certainly slow down the process, they cannot prevent the divorce from eventually happening. If your spouse refuses to participate, you can eventually obtain a default judgment. If they participate but are unreasonably difficult, the court has tools to enforce compliance with discovery and move the case forward. However, these remedies take time to implement, so yes, a difficult spouse can extend your timeline, sometimes significantly.
How long do I have to live in Texas to file for divorce?
To file for divorce in Texas, you or your spouse must have been a resident of Texas for at least six months immediately before filing, and a resident of the county where you’re filing for at least 90 days. If you don’t meet these residency requirements, you’ll need to wait until you do or file in a state where you meet the requirements.
What happens if we reconcile during the divorce process?
If you and your spouse reconcile, you can dismiss the divorce petition at any time before the judge signs the final decree. However, if later circumstances change and you decide to divorce again, you’ll have to start the entire process over, including waiting out another 60-day period after filing a new petition.
Does hiring a divorce attorney speed up the process?
An experienced attorney can often help move your case more efficiently by properly preparing documents, avoiding procedural mistakes that cause delays, knowing local court procedures, and facilitating settlement negotiations. However, an attorney cannot eliminate the 60-day waiting period or force your spouse to be reasonable. What good legal representation can do is prevent unnecessary delays and help you avoid mistakes that might prolong the process.
How long does mediation take in a Dallas divorce?
A typical divorce mediation session lasts 4-8 hours, though complex cases might require multiple sessions over several days. The mediation itself is scheduled when both parties and their attorneys are available, which might be several months into the divorce process. If mediation results in a complete settlement, you could have your divorce finalized within a few weeks after mediation, depending on how quickly the settlement agreement is prepared and court availability.
Can the court rush my divorce if I have an emergency?
The court can address emergency issues through temporary orders—for example, if there are safety concerns or urgent financial needs. However, the court generally cannot waive the 60-day waiting period except in family violence cases with a protective order. Even with a true emergency, you’ll still need to wait out the statutory period before the divorce can be finalized, though temporary orders can provide relief during that waiting period.
Setting Realistic Expectations: Why Honest Communication Matters
One of my core principles as a Dallas divorce attorney is providing clients with realistic expectations rather than false hope. Too many lawyers tell clients what they want to hear just to get hired. Then months later, when the case hasn’t progressed as the client expected, they’re disappointed and feel misled.
I won’t tell you your contested custody case will resolve in 60 days because that’s unrealistic. I won’t promise that your spouse will suddenly become reasonable because I can’t control their behavior. What I will do is assess your specific situation during your consultation and provide an honest timeline estimate based on the facts of your case and my 25+ years of experience handling similar matters.
I’ll tell you if I think your case should settle relatively quickly or if you should prepare for a longer battle. I’ll explain which issues are worth fighting for and which aren’t. I’ll be straightforward about costs and likely outcomes. This honest approach may not always be what you want to hear, but it allows you to make informed decisions about how to proceed with your divorce.
Divorce is difficult enough without unrealistic expectations making it worse. My job is to guide you through this process with your eyes wide open, equipped with accurate information about timelines, costs, and likely outcomes. That’s what you deserve from your legal counsel.
Serving Dallas and Surrounding Communities
Our Dallas divorce law firm proudly serves clients throughout Dallas County. We understand that divorce proceedings often involve local court systems, and our extensive experience in Dallas-area family courts gives our clients a distinct advantage. As a Dallas area divorce lawyer with over 25 years of experience, I’ve appeared before virtually every family court judge in the county and understand the local procedures that can affect your timeline.
Primary service areas include:
- Dallas – Our primary location and where we handle the majority of our cases
- Garland – Serving families throughout this growing community
- Richardson – Experienced family attorney serving Richardson residents
- Mesquite – Representing clients in Mesquite family law matters
- Irving – Providing comprehensive divorce services to Irving families
- DeSoto – Dedicated representation for DeSoto area clients
- Grand Prairie – Serving Grand Prairie with experienced legal counsel
- Seagoville – Available for Seagoville residents facing divorce
- Duncanville – Committed to protecting Duncanville families’ interests
Our office is conveniently located at 6440 N. Central Expressway, Suite 450, Dallas, Texas 75206. You can reach us at (214) 977-9050 to schedule your initial consultation.
Comprehensive Family Law Services
Beyond divorce timeline guidance, we offer comprehensive divorce services including:
- Divorce representation (contested and uncontested)
- Child custody and visitation matters
- Child support establishment and modification
- Asset division and property settlement
- Mediation and alternative dispute resolution
- High net worth divorce cases
- Spousal support and alimony
Why Choose Our Dallas Divorce Law Firm
With 25+ years of experience practicing family law in Dallas County, we offer:
- Extensive courtroom experience and proven track record
- Personalized attention from a small, dedicated team
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
- Clear, concise explanations of your legal options
- Honest case assessments—no false promises or empty reassurances
- Compassionate approach balanced with strategic, committed advocacy
- Honest communication over placating words
- Realistic assessments instead of inflated promises
- Genuine care for your interests with transparent guidance about likely outcomes
Our goal is to help you make informed decisions based on facts, not false hope. We’ll be compassionate and supportive throughout this difficult time, but we’ll also be strategic, committed, and tough when necessary—especially when court proceedings become unavoidable.
Ready to Move Forward? Schedule Your Consultation Today
Understanding how long your divorce will take is just the first step. The next step is taking action to protect your interests and start moving toward the next chapter of your life.
During your initial consultation, we’ll review the specific facts of your case and provide you with an honest assessment of the timeline you can expect. We’ll discuss your goals, evaluate your options, and develop a strategy designed to achieve the best possible outcome in the most efficient timeframe. Whether you’re facing an uncontested divorce that should move relatively quickly or a complex contested case that will require sustained legal effort, you deserve representation that combines experience, skill, and genuine commitment to your interests.
As a Dallas divorce attorney with over 25 years of experience, I’ve guided hundreds of clients through this process. I know the Dallas County family courts, I understand Texas divorce law, and I’m committed to providing you with the honest, effective representation you deserve.
Don’t let uncertainty about timelines prevent you from taking the first step. Contact our office at (214) 977-9050 or visit us online at www.dallasdivorcelawyer.com to schedule your consultation. Let’s discuss your situation, answer your questions, and help you understand what to expect as you move forward with your Dallas divorce.
The journey ahead may feel overwhelming right now, but with experienced legal counsel by your side and realistic expectations about the process, you can navigate this transition with confidence. Your future is waiting—let’s take the first step together.
