How Long Does It Normally Take? What Might Hasten or Lengthen the Process?
When you’ve concluded that your marriage isn’t working and the only way forward is through divorce, you typically want to get it over and done with, the sooner the better. How long does the divorce process take in Texas? What can delay that process?
Expect Your Divorce to Take about a Year
In an exhaustive report released in 2025, the Pew Research Center found that the divorce process took an average of about 11-12 months to complete. Almost half of all divorces (just over 40%) took six months of less, and about one in seven lasted longer than two years.
How Long Does a Texas Divorce Typically Take?
The majority of states, including Texas, impose a “cooling off” period after the filing of a divorce complaint, requiring the parties to wait a certain amount of time before the petition may be finalized. In Texas, that’s 60 days. The court may, however, waive this requirement if there’s concrete evidence of domestic violence or there’s an active protective order in place against a spouse.
If the parties work cooperatively and there are no areas of controversy, the divorce could conceivably be ordered on the 61st day after the filing of the complaint. Factors that will necessarily require a longer period of time to finalize the divorce include:
- High net worth marital estates without pre-nuptial agreements, which often require property valuations, inventories of assets and real estate appraisals
- Disputes of child custody and visitation
- Lack of good faith by one or both parties, including non-disclosure of assets or avoiding service of process
Contact DTX Family Law for Guidance in a Texas Divorce
At DTX Family Law, we always give top priority to the needs and best interests of our clients. We know that the legal process can be complex and confusing, and we’ll carefully explain your rights and options, as well as your chances of success, so that you can make good decisions for you and your family. Chrysandra is board-certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, an honor earned by less than one of every ten family law attorneys in the state. To schedule an appointment with a proven and effective Texas family lawyer, visit our website or call our offices at 940-566-0606. We can help you determine whether an agreement incident to divorce is in your best interests and can draft one for you, if necessary.
Handling Divorce and Family Law Matters throughout Denton and the surrounding communities, including Denton, Collin, Wise, Tarrant and Cooke counties, as well as the cities of Flower Mound, Highland Village, Bartonville, Lake Dallas, Corinth, Frisco, Northlake, Trophy Club, Haslet, Justin, Ponder, Coppell, The Colony, Lantana, Argyle, Roanoke, Copper Canyon, Hickory Creek, Lewisville, Little Elm, McKinney, Allen, Princeton, Anna, Lavon, Melissa, Parker, Lavon, Westminster and Weston