The process of filing for a divorce can be stressful and difficult for people. There are many issues that are involved in a divorce including learning the legal process, sorting through paperwork, completing divorce forms, the application process, finding an attorney, managing your time, and dealing with the cost and duration of the process.

An uncontested divorce is one where both parties agree that their marriage is not working out and are willing to settle their differences and come to a final solution on all the terms of a divorce. Couples that have agreed to have an amicable divorce in Texas do not need to go through the traditional approach of filing for divorce and hiring lawyers that will cost them lots of money. Spouses that have come to a proper compromise on a sensible solution to resolve their matters in a rational manner can file for divorce themselves (a DIY divorce) and save money.

Before moving forward with a divorce without an attorney, it is important to ascertain certain important prerequisites that would allow a couple to ensure that they are eligible for an uncontested divorce.

● You and your spouse are both over the age of 18

● You and your spouse both want to end your marriage and are ready to move forward as a no-fault divorce

● At least one spouse must have been living in Texas for a period of 6 months and the county where the case will be filed for at least 90 days

● You and your spouse do not have children that are below the age of 18

● All matters related to the division of debt and property have already been settled between the parties

● You and your spouse do not own property together and do not have retirement benefits to divide

● Neither you or your spouse are trying to seek alimony

● Neither spouse has an ongoing bankruptcy case

This ensures that an uncontested divorce would be appropriate and can effectively be completed by both parties in an amicable manner.

There are many forms that are available on the Texas Court website that allows for the completion of an uncontested divorce. The main forms include:

● The information sheet of the civil case
● Bureau of Vital Statistics form
● Divorce Petition
● Last known address certificate
● Decree of divorce
● Service waiver

In Texas, the divorce process and petition filing procedure can vary from one county to the next. The forms that might be required in one county might be different in another. If you have questions, registered professionals working at the court that can provide free help with this process. There are some court filing fees that are required to be paid at the time that the divorce is filed.

In Texas, there is a 60 day waiting period to complete a divorce. After the 60 day waiting period, you will be required to attend a hearing in front of a Judge to review your case. If the judge finds your agreement reasonable, they will sign the Final Decree for Divorce finalizing your divorce.

Even after a couple has accepted the fact that their marriage is over and have met the requirements for an uncontested divorce, they still have to decide how to proceed with their case. Depending on what they can afford and the complexity of their case, they could proceed as a DIY divorce (the cheapest but hardest option) and follow the steps listed above or hire an attorney (the most expensive option) or settle for something in the middle like an online divorce where an online divorce company will take on all the paperwork issues for you at a much cheaper price than using an attorney. Several online platforms specialize in helping people that want to file for uncontested divorce. Though the peculiarities of each service may vary slightly, the basic steps are all the same. Before you can even sign up for the service, the online divorce company will need to make sure that your case qualifies to be an online divorce. If you qualify, you can then make an account and begin your online divorce. The site will have you complete a detailed questionnaire about the crucial details of your case. After completing the questionnaire, the online divorce company will prepare your forms based on the information you provided. Most companies will have your completed divorce paperwork packet ready for you in around 2 - 3 business days. They will be made available to you online in pdf format so that you can easily print them, sign and notarize them, and file them with the court. It’s that easy.

Ending a marriage is difficult for all people involved. But sometimes it is better to end a relationship than to be stuck in a bad situation that has no chance of improving. For couples that are ready to end their broken marriage and start a new life, there are effective solutions to make the divorce process easier. And for couples looking to save the most money and end their divorce on the most amicable terms, online DIY forms allow the parties to understand their rights and initiate the process for filing for divorce within the state of Texas.