How long does a divorce take in Texas once filed?

The answer depends on the circumstances. Texas family courts have wide discretion in deciding attorney fees during a divorce. In some situations, each spouse is responsible for their own legal costs, while in others, the court may require one spouse to pay all or a significant portion of the other’s fees.

What not to do during a divorce in Texas?

Avoid Major Financial Moves During Divorce In Texas, you cannot make significant financial changes while a divorce is pending. This includes selling property, emptying bank accounts, or making large purchases without court approval. Common mistakes include buying a new car or home before the divorce is finalized.

Why is moving out the biggest mistake in a divorce?

Leaving the marital home during a divorce can have serious consequences: It may give the judge the impression that you have abandoned your spouse. It could influence the judge’s decisions regarding child custody. It can negatively affect your financial situation and the equitable division of marital assets.

What is the 6 month rule in Texas?

In Texas, the duration of your relationship does not establish a common law marriage. To qualify, you must meet the same residency requirements as a formal marriage, meaning at least one party must have lived in Texas for six months before the marriage is recognized legally.

Can I remarry after divorce in Texas?

In Texas, there's a mandatory 30-day waiting period after a divorce is finalized before you can legally remarry. This timeframe allows either party the opportunity to file an appeal if needed.

Mediation

Strategic Family Law Mediation for Colleyville and Tarrant County Families

Family Law

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Mediation Lawyer for Colleyville, TX

Divorce and Family Mediation in Grapevine, Southlake, Keller, Bedford, Hurst, and Tarrant County

When divorce or a family law dispute becomes stressful, expensive, and emotionally draining, mediation can offer a more private and practical path forward. Instead of turning every disagreement into a courtroom battle, mediation helps families work toward resolution in a structured setting focused on communication, negotiation, and long-term solutions.

At the Law Office of Kate Smith, PLLC, clients work with a Texas Board-Certified family law attorney who also holds an LL.M in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine. That combination matters. Kate Smith brings advanced dispute resolution training, deep knowledge of Texas family law, and years of experience helping families resolve matters involving divorce, child custody, child support, support obligations, and property division throughout Colleyville and the surrounding communities.

Mediation gives you more control over the outcome, more privacy than litigation, and more room to create solutions that actually fit your family. Rather than placing every major decision in the hands of a judge, mediation can help you work toward an agreement that is informed, durable, and legally sound.

Need help resolving a divorce or family law dispute outside the courtroom? Call the Law Office of Kate Smith, PLLC at 817-479-0534 to schedule your consultation with our Colleyville mediation lawyer.

Mediation in Divorce and Family Law Disputes

Mediation is commonly used to resolve disputes involving:

Divorce settlement terms
Child custody and visitation
Child support and medical support
Spousal support or alimony
The division of marital property and debt
Post-divorce modifications and related disputes
Collaborative divorce related negotiations

Learn more about how Kate Smith can help by contacting us at 817-479-0534.

Why Choose Mediation Over Litigation?

Litigation is adversarial by design. Mediation gives families a more private, flexible, and solution-focused way to resolve difficult issues without turning every disagreement into a courtroom fight.

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More Privacy

Mediation keeps sensitive financial and parenting issues out of an open courtroom whenever possible.

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More Control

You and the other party shape the agreement instead of waiting for a judge to decide the outcome.

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Less Conflict

Mediation encourages communication and practical problem-solving, which is especially important when children are involved.

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Potential Cost Savings

Resolving key issues earlier can reduce the time, expense, and disruption associated with prolonged litigation.

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Better for Co-Parenting

Parents often benefit from a process that supports cooperation and helps build more workable parenting arrangements.

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Legally Meaningful Results

When agreements are properly documented, they can become the basis for enforceable final court orders.

How the Mediation Process Works in Texas

Family law mediation usually follows a structured process designed to move difficult conversations toward practical resolution.

Preparation

Your attorney helps you gather financial documents, identify your priorities, and prepare for productive negotiation.

Opening Session

The mediator explains the process, outlines expectations, and helps both parties begin the conversation in a more controlled setting.

Separate Negotiation

The mediator may meet privately with each side to explore concerns, discuss proposals, and narrow areas of disagreement.

Settlement Terms

If progress is made, the parties work through specific terms involving property, parenting, support, and any remaining disputed issues.

Written Agreement

Once a full agreement is reached, the terms are reduced to writing and used as the basis for final court documentation.

Finalization

After review by counsel, the agreement can be submitted to the court for approval and entry into the final order.

What Is a Mediated Settlement Agreement in Texas?

A Mediated Settlement Agreement, often called an MSA, is the written agreement signed at the end of a successful mediation session. In family law matters, it may address divorce terms, property division, debt allocation, conservatorship, possession schedules, support obligations, and related issues that need to be resolved before the final order is entered.

Because mediated agreements can have major long-term consequences, it is critical to review them carefully before signing. A well-drafted agreement should be clear, enforceable, and aligned with both your legal rights and your long-term practical goals.

Property division and debt allocation
Child custody, parenting time, and visitation schedules
Child support and medical support obligations
Spousal support or alimony where applicable
Terms related to post-divorce enforcement or modification issues

Already attended mediation? Before signing, it is wise to have the proposed agreement reviewed by an experienced family law attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mediation

These are some of the most common questions Colleyville and Tarrant County families ask when considering mediation for divorce and family law disputes.

Some Texas courts strongly encourage or require mediation before trial, especially in contested family law matters. Whether mediation is required in your case depends on the court and the facts involved.

Many family law mediations are completed in one session, although more complex disputes may require additional negotiation or follow-up work. Preparation often makes a major difference in how efficiently the day moves.

Yes. Mediation is commonly used to address parenting schedules, conservatorship, child support, medical support, and related issues involving children. It is often one of the best ways to create practical parenting arrangements tailored to a family’s real needs.

In some cases, mediation resolves all disputes. In others, it narrows the issues so that fewer matters remain contested. Even partial progress can still reduce the scope of litigation and make the remaining issues easier to address.

A mediator helps guide the negotiation process, improve communication, reduce escalation, and move the parties toward possible agreement. The mediator does not act as a judge and does not impose a decision on either side.

Yes, it is often wise to have your own attorney involved before and during mediation. The mediator is neutral and cannot give either side legal advice. Your attorney helps protect your interests and reviews proposed terms before you agree to them.

Mediation is generally treated as a confidential process, which is one reason many families prefer it over open courtroom litigation. Privacy is especially important in matters involving finances, children, and highly personal family issues.

Yes. Mediation can also be helpful after divorce when parents or former spouses need to address modifications, enforcement concerns, relocation issues, or updated support and parenting arrangements.

Mediation may cover divorce settlement terms, property division, debt allocation, child custody, parenting schedules, visitation, child support, spousal support, and related matters that must be resolved before a final order is entered.

In many cases, yes. While every matter is different, mediation can often reduce the time, court appearances, and legal expense associated with prolonged contested litigation.

Clients should usually bring relevant financial documents, notes about priorities and goals, proposed parenting schedules if children are involved, and any records their attorney recommends for the session.

The best way to answer that is through a consultation. Mediation is often a strong option for parties who want more privacy, more control, and a more solution-focused process, but the right approach depends on the facts of your specific case.

Serving Colleyville and Surrounding Communities

The Law Office of Kate Smith, PLLC serves clients in Colleyville and nearby communities throughout Tarrant County and surrounding areas. This includes families in Southlake, Grapevine, Keller, Bedford, Hurst, Euless, North Richland Hills, Westlake, Trophy Club, and Flower Mound who are looking for a more private and strategic way to resolve family law disputes.