July 26, 2025
Divorce timelines frustrate people who want to move forward with their lives. The answer to how long divorce takes in Travis County depends on multiple factors, from whether spouses agree on terms to court scheduling and the complexity of assets involved.
At Gray Becker, P.C., we handle divorces throughout Travis County and understand local court procedures. While every case differs, certain timelines and requirements apply to all Texas divorces regardless of individual circumstances.
Texas law imposes a minimum 60-day waiting period from the date you file your divorce petition until the court can grant your divorce. According to the Texas Family Code Section 6.702, this waiting period applies to every divorce without exception.
The clock starts when you file your Original Petition for Divorce with the Travis County District Clerk. If you and your spouse agree on all terms, you can finalize your divorce on day 61. Most divorces take longer than the minimum waiting period because they involve negotiation, discovery, or contested issues.
The mandatory waiting period exists to give spouses time to consider reconciliation and make thoughtful decisions about property division, child custody, and support obligations. Courts will not waive this requirement regardless of circumstances.
Uncontested divorces resolve fastest. When spouses agree on all terms including property division, debt allocation, child custody, visitation, and support, the process moves quickly.
Timeline for uncontested cases:
Most uncontested divorces in Travis County finalize within two to three months. The actual timeline depends on how quickly spouses finalize their agreement and when the court has available hearing dates.
Some uncontested divorces take longer if spouses need time to gather financial documents, complete required parenting classes, or negotiate specific terms. An Austin family lawyer can help draft settlement agreements that address all necessary issues and prevent delays.
Contested divorces take significantly longer. When spouses disagree about property division, child custody, or support obligations, the case requires discovery, temporary hearings, mediation, and potentially a trial.
Typical contested divorce timeline:
Travis County contested divorces typically take between nine months and two years to reach final resolution. High net worth cases involving business valuations, complex property holdings, or significant custody disputes often extend beyond two years.
Court congestion affects timing. Travis County District Courts handle numerous family law cases, and trial settings depend on judicial availability. Your case might receive a trial date months after you request one.
Several variables influence how quickly your divorce proceeds through the Travis County court system.
Agreement Between Spouses: The single biggest factor affecting timeline is whether you and your spouse can reach agreement. Cooperative spouses who communicate effectively and compromise on disputed issues resolve cases much faster than those who fight over every detail.
Complexity of Assets: Simple estates with minimal property divide quickly. Cases involving multiple real estate holdings, business interests, retirement accounts, stock options, or international assets require extensive valuation work and negotiation time.
Child Custody Disputes: Disagreements about conservatorship, visitation schedules, and decision-making authority extend divorce timelines. Courts may order social studies, psychological evaluations, or appoint attorneys ad litem for children, all of which add months to the process.
Discovery Disputes: When one spouse refuses to provide financial documentation or the parties disagree about discovery requests, the court must intervene. Motion practice and hearings about discovery compliance slow case progress.
Attorney Responsiveness: How quickly attorneys respond to communications, draft documents, and schedule hearings affects overall timeline. Working with an Austin family lawyer who prioritizes your case keeps things moving forward.
Court Scheduling: Travis County has multiple district courts handling family law matters, but judicial calendars fill quickly. Emergency matters get priority, sometimes pushing non-urgent hearings further out.
Discovery allows both sides to gather information about income, assets, debts, and other relevant matters. This process can take months depending on the volume of documents, number of depositions, and cooperation level between parties.
Formal discovery includes interrogatories (written questions), requests for production (document requests), requests for admission, and depositions (oral testimony under oath). Each discovery method has specific deadlines and response requirements under Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
Spouses who own businesses, have complex investment portfolios, or maintain separate property claims often need forensic accountants and business valuators. These professionals require time to analyze records and prepare reports, which extends the discovery timeline.
Travis County courts strongly encourage mediation before trial. Many judges require mediation and will not set a trial date until parties attempt to settle through a neutral mediator.
Mediation typically occurs six to twelve months after filing. Both spouses attend with their attorneys, and a trained mediator facilitates negotiations. Successful mediation resolves the divorce without trial, saving substantial time and expense.
Settlement conferences with the judge offer another opportunity to resolve disputes. Some Travis County judges schedule settlement conferences to discuss remaining issues and encourage resolution before trial.
If settlement proves impossible, your case proceeds to trial. Travis County divorce trials can last anywhere from a few hours to several days depending on the issues and evidence involved.
After trial, the judge issues findings of fact and conclusions of law, followed by a final decree of divorce. The court might take several weeks to prepare written orders after hearing testimony and arguments.
Either spouse can appeal the final decree within 30 days. Appeals add substantial time to the process, often extending the case another year or more.
While waiting for final resolution, spouses often need temporary orders addressing immediate concerns like child custody, support payments, and exclusive use of the residence. Travis County courts typically schedule temporary orders hearings within a few weeks of filing.
Temporary orders remain in effect until the divorce finalizes. They provide stability during the process but do not necessarily predict the final outcome.
Realistic expectations about timing help you plan financially and emotionally for the divorce process. Uncontested cases finalize quickly after the 60-day waiting period, while contested matters take substantially longer.
You can influence the timeline through cooperation, prompt document production, and willingness to negotiate reasonably. Fighting over minor issues extends the process without meaningful benefit.
We work with clients throughout Travis County to move divorce cases forward efficiently while protecting their legal rights and financial interests. Understanding local court procedures and maintaining realistic timeline expectations helps you prepare for what lies ahead. Contact our firm to discuss your specific situation and develop a strategy for resolving your divorce as efficiently as possible.
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