Why Divorce Takes So Long in Texas (And What You Can Do to Speed It Up)

If you’re beginning a divorce in Texas, you’ve probably already heard it: “This could take a while.”
Most people are surprised—and frustrated—by how slow the process can feel. Between the waiting periods, court schedules, financial disclosures, and emotional tension, even straightforward cases can stretch longer than anyone expected.

Here in Dallas–Fort Worth, where the courts stay busy and many families have complex finances, it’s normal for a divorce to take months. But there are ways to make the process smoother and faster if you understand what’s slowing it down in the first place.

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The 60-Day Waiting Period Slows Every Case—No Matter What

Texas law requires a mandatory 60-day waiting period from the day the petition is filed to the day a divorce can be finalized. This applies even if:

• both spouses agree on everything
• there are no children
• the marriage was short
• the finances are simple

It’s a built-in cooling-off period meant to prevent rushed decisions. In rare circumstances involving family violence, the waiting period can be shortened, but for most couples, those 60 days are unavoidable.

That’s just the starting point—not the full timeline.

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Court Schedules in DFW Can Push Things Further

Judges in Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, and Denton counties handle a massive volume of family law cases. A busy court docket can delay:

• temporary orders hearings
• discovery disputes
• mediation deadlines
• trial settings

Even if both spouses are ready to move forward, the court might not be. Sometimes the slowest part of the divorce has nothing to do with you—it’s simply the system.

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Financial Complexity Adds More Time

When a divorce involves businesses, real estate portfolios, high incomes, investment accounts, or debts that need sorting, everything takes longer. You may need:

• business valuations
• real estate appraisals
• forensic accounting
• tax analysis
• tracing separate vs. community property

These things can’t be rushed. The more complex the estate, the more careful the process needs to be—especially if one spouse controls the finances or hasn’t been transparent.

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Custody Issues Can Slow Everything Down

Divorces involving children require additional steps, including:

• parenting plans
• school and travel schedules
• decision-making rights
• potential custody evaluations
• mediation specific to parenting issues

Even small disagreements—pickup times, holiday schedules, extracurriculars—can create weeks or months of extra discussion. When parents disagree about conservatorship or primary residence, the timeline naturally stretches.

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Discovery Is Often the Biggest Roadblock

Discovery is the legal process of exchanging financial and personal information. It’s where both sides share documents, answer questions, and provide anything the law requires.

Discovery slows down when:

• one spouse delays
• documents arrive incomplete
• assets are hidden or disputed
• there’s tension or distrust

The more cooperative both sides are, the faster discovery can move. The more resistance, the longer everything takes.

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Mediation Usually Helps—But It Still Takes Time

Most Texas divorces settle at mediation rather than going to trial. Mediation is faster, cheaper, and more private, but it still requires:

• gathering financial information
• preparing proposals
• working through disagreements
• scheduling with attorneys and mediators

It’s normal for mediation to happen months into the process. For complicated cases, multiple mediation sessions may be needed.

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Going to Trial Is the Slowest Path

A full trial can delay a divorce for a year or longer, especially in high-conflict or high-asset cases. Trials require:

• evidence
• expert witnesses
• preparation
• legal briefing
• a judge’s availability

Most couples avoid trial for this reason. It adds months, tension, and cost.

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So What Can You Do to Speed Things Up?

You can’t control every part of the timeline, but you can influence it. The fastest divorces usually involve spouses who:

• respond quickly to requests
• avoid emotional reactions to small issues
• gather documents early
• stay open to negotiation
• don’t make big financial moves without guidance
• choose mediation over litigation

If you approach the process with clarity instead of combat, you can shave weeks—or even months—off the timeline.

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Summary: Divorce Takes Time, But It Doesn’t Have to Drag On

Most divorces in Texas take longer than people expect, but the delay isn’t always a bad thing. A slower process gives you room to think clearly, protect your assets, create a stable plan for your children, and avoid rushed decisions that you may regret later.

That said, with the right preparation and attitude, you can keep things moving at a steady pace and avoid unnecessary setbacks. You don’t control everything—but you control more than you think.