Many people want to get a quick divorce, and it makes sense why. Our divorce attorneys at The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard hear the question “How can I speed up my divorce?” all the time. No one wants to drag out their divorce. When a married person is confident about ending their marriage, they want to get it done as quickly as possible.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to expedite the divorce process. Below, we will discuss the six ways you can speed up your divorce in Texas. However, it is still advisable to consult with a McLennan divorce lawyer because each case is unique.
If you are seeking a divorce in Texas, it is vital to keep in mind that the law requires couples to wait 60 days before obtaining a divorce. Under Texas Family Code § 6.702, couples cannot get a divorce until after the 61st day after the filing date. While an attorney can help you speed up your divorce, you still need to comply with the 60-day waiting period to finalize your divorce.
1. Get Your Records Organized
If you intend to file for divorce – or have already filed divorce papers – it is essential to make your ducks in a row. Since the division of assets and debts is usually the most complicated and disputed issue in a divorce, it is vital to gather all available records and documents about your:
Assets
Debts
Retirement accounts
Insurance policies
Pension plan information
Inheritance
Employment records
Tax returns
Gathering all of these records can help you obtain a quick divorce in Texas. If you contact a skilled divorce lawyer for a consultation, your attorney will help you understand what paperwork you need to gather for a speedy divorce.
2. Share Financial Records with Your Spouse
While it may seem that everyone is on their own when it comes to getting a divorce, that is not entirely true if you want to speed up your divorce in Texas. It may be a good idea to share financial records with your spouse, especially the documents related to your community property.
According to the recent changes to Texas divorce law, which took effect in 2021, both spouses are legally required to submit copies of their financial paperwork within 30 days of filing an answer or counterpetition.
3. Considering Meeting with a Financial Advisor
If you and your spouse are seeking an uncontested divorce in Texas, meeting with a financial advisor may help you expedite the divorce process. However, having a financial advisor review your finances only makes sense if you and your spouse are seeking an amicable divorce and are willing to work out an agreement without court intervention.
While a financial advisor may help you understand who owns what, the advisor cannot replace a divorce attorney. You still need a divorce lawyer to help you resolve disputes related to child support, child custody (conservatorship), alimony, and others.
4. Contact a Lawyer to Set a Pre-Trial Hearing
If you want to speed up your divorce in Texas, it is essential to set a pre-trial hearing at the very beginning of your divorce proceedings. Many divorcing couples do not realize that setting a pre-trial hearing is important to put deadlines in place and obtain a quick divorce in the long run.
You need an experienced divorce lawyer who will help you prepare your pre-trial motions and ensure that you can get a pre-trial hearing as soon as possible. As long as you have your records and paperwork organized, there is no point in delaying the divorce process.
5. Schedule a Mediator’s Time in Advance
Texas law requires couples who seek a contested divorce to try mediation before going to court. But many people do not realize that divorce mediators are some of the busiest people in our state. It is not uncommon for a mediator’s schedule to be booked out many months in advance.
For this reason, if you will be trying mediation as part of your divorce case, it is vital to schedule a mediator’s time well in advance. Getting your disputes resolved with the help of a mediator is critical if you want to speed up your divorce. If mediation does not bring a settlement agreement, you and your spouse will end up taking your case to court.
Divorce litigation could take anywhere from eight months to several years, which is why you should hire an experienced divorce attorney and mediator to secure a quick divorce.
6. Try Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Options
In the State of Texas, you can get a divorce by:
Out-of-court agreement
Mediation
Court order
However, Texas law also recognizes alternative dispute resolution options, also known as ADRs. Alternative dispute resolution may be available to spouses seeking an amicable divorce. In addition, couples may be able to seek an uncontested divorce when they do not have minor children together and a few community assets subject to division (or lack thereof).
It is vital to contact a knowledgeable divorce lawyer to help you get a quick divorce through alternative dispute resolution options.
Contact a McLennan Divorce Lawyer to Get a Quick Divorce
If your goal is to obtain a quick divorce in Texas, it is critical to speak with a McLennan divorce lawyer to end your marriage as quickly as possible. Our attorneys at The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard can help you understand your options to get a divorce.
There are numerous reasons to hire a divorce lawyer in Texas, including:
You can get expert advice to understand your rights and options
Your lawyer will help you negotiate a fair settlement agreement
You will be able to gather all the necessary documents and paperwork in a timely manner
Your lawyer will help you reduce stress and obtain a much-needed peace of mind
Your attorney will make sure that you get a speedy resolution