Making the decision to get divorced can involve a lot of time and heartache. Once the process has begun, however, both spouses are usually eager to move along as quickly as possible - not only to save money, but to begin life after going their separate ways. 

Unfortunately, some divorces take longer than others. This could be because there is a particularly complex asset portfolio, a lack of compromise over child custody, or an attorney who seems to be dragging the case out for their own benefit. If you are looking for ways to speed up your divorce, read on - and then contact a Texas divorce attorney if necessary. 

Allow the Minimum Waiting Period to Pass 

Texas has a mandatory waiting period of 60 days before divorce can be finalized. The only exceptions are cases involving domestic violence or some other urgent issue that presents a danger to the spouse who has filed for divorce. Most people have to wait at least 60 days before having their divorce granted, so if you are still under this time limit, sit tight - this waiting period is normal. 

Divorce is stereotypically one of the most acrimonious endeavors a person can go through. Because the two spouses often want mutually exclusive results from a divorce decree, and because each partner is usually carrying heavy emotional baggage, negotiating a fair divorce decree can be a very difficult process. 

At the same time, few spouses want a hostile divorce, especially when young children are involved. This is where mediation can help. Whether you need assistance resolving every issue in your divorce or have only one matter over which you and your spouse disagree, a Texas divorce mediator may be able to help. 

What Does a Mediator Do? 

A mediator is responsible for acting as a neutral third party during negotiations - in this case, divorce negotiations. The mediator will meet with both parties to lay down initial rules about how the mediation process will go and the conduct that is expected from either spouse. Then, they will speak with each spouse both individually and together to determine what each spouse’s goals are. 

Spouses seeking divorce need to start collecting information before the process can begin. After all, even the most simple and straightforward divorces involve extensive paperwork and court appearances, and small mistakes can mean long delays. One of the most common questions Texas divorce attorneys get is regarding the difference between contested and uncontested divorce, and whether a couple qualifies for one or the other. It is important to understand the difference between the two, and that, even if you think you and your spouse agree on all the terms of the divorce, you speak to a divorce attorney before making any final decisions. 

Uncontested Divorce

As the name implies, an uncontested divorce is one in which both spouses agree to all the terms of the divorce. Depending on the marriage, this can include the following issues: 

• Property division

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While no two relationships are exactly the same, humans are creatures of habit. Over decades spent studying relationships, patterns emerge–especially about why relationships end. One couple in particular, John and Julie Gottman, believe they have identified six behaviors that occur when a relationship is falling apart. Used in a clinical research setting, they can predict which marriages will end in divorce with surprising accuracy. Here are six behaviors the Gottman duo observed that may predict divorce. 

Bad Starts to Conversations

When researchers see that a conversation begins poorly, such as with sarcasm or criticism, the rest of the conversation will go badly. Nearly 100 percent of the time, researchers could predict how a conversation would go based on listening to the first three minutes. 

The Four Horsemen

Named after the four horsemen that precede the biblical apocalypse, these types of negative behaviors–defensiveness, contempt, criticism, and stonewalling–can destroy a marriage by destroying the ability to have a productive conversation.

Most divorces, no matter how many assets the couple currently has, have similar issues that the two sides need to negotiate. The division of marital property, spousal support, child support, and child custody are standard issues that need to be resolved. However, when a divorcing couple has a high net worth or many valuable assets, they can face additional hurdles leading to disputes.

Four Common High-Asset Divorce Considerations

The unique complications of a high-asset divorce can require additional preparation and negotiation to ensure a couple’s financial and property interests are divided fairly. Many couples who enter a marriage with a high net worth will prepare a prenuptial agreement to guide property division in the case of a divorce. Others opt for a postnuptial agreement after the marriage. If there is no agreement in place for property division, some of the challenges that high-asset couples can face include:

• Businesses – Businesses that were started or acquired during the marriage are considered marital property and are subject to division. After the value of the business is determined, one spouse can agree to buy out the other’s share, they can agree to sell the business and divide the proceeds, or they can work out a joint-ownership agreement if their relationship is amicable enough.

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