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How Long Does a Divorce Take in Texas?

At minimum, a divorce in Texas will take sixty days. That’s the statutory “cooling off period” and a Court cannot grant a divorce in less time than that. There is no set maximum time for a divorce. Your divorce attorney cannot speed this up.

We have all heard the horror stories of divorces lasting for several years. That does happen sometimes, but it is very rare. Most divorces take less than a year, but it is not uncommon to see them go a year and a half, depending on the issues and the parties.

Complex Issues Can Prolong The Divorce Process

The more complex the issues and the way the divorce is handled by either side has more to do with how long a divorce will take than, for instance, the size of the estate. While it’s true that multi-million dollar estates are more likely to take longer, the reason rests more in the nature of the assets and how they need to be valuated and divided than it does in the fact that there is a lot of money to divide.

For example, if the community estate has a great deal of cash, but very little else, the issues tend to be more simple than if there are corporations, patents, trusts, complex retirement programs, etc. When a puzzle has more pieces, it takes longer to put it together. Complex property and asset division can make a divorce last longer.

Emotions Can Also Cause A Divorce To Last Much Longer Than Expected

Personalities can also make a divorce in Texas last longer or be over with quicker. Almost everyone wants their divorce to be finished right now. Why wouldn’t they? It can be an emotionally painful process. But wanting it over quickly does not necessarily mean that the other side will be reasonable, honest or transparent with the facts and details of the case. The more obstructionist one or both sides are, the longer it will take to break through those walls. The more confrontational one or both sides tends to be, the longer it will take to break through the bluster and make sure the appropriate information is at hand when completing the divorce.

If there are children involved, then developing what is best for them can take some time, too. It might just be the parents talking about what they believe to be best for their children or it might involve the use of psychological, medical, or even educational experts.

Time is always a factor. The greater factor, though, is choosing an attorney who will help you feel protected, informed and guided; an attorney who has a strategy to get you to your vision for the future and the future of your children.

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