What Happens at a Texas Divorce Prove-Up Hearing

A prove-up is a brief court hearing where the filing party presents the agreed divorce paperwork to the judge. The court confirms the marriage is insupportable, the parties agree on all terms, and the proposed decree is fair. For uncontested cases, it typically lasts five to ten minutes.

Texas requires 60 days from the date the Original Petition for Divorce is filed before the court can grant the divorce. You cannot hold the prove-up before day 61. Once the waiting period passes, you request a hearing date; availability varies by county.

Bring a file-stamped copy of the petition, proof of service or the signed notarized Waiver of Service, the Final Decree of Divorce with copies for the judge to sign, your Marital Settlement Agreement, parenting plan and child support worksheet if you have children, and current photo ID.

The judge typically asks your name, that you are asking for a divorce, that the marriage is insupportable, that you understand the agreement, and that it is voluntary. With children, the judge may ask whether the parenting arrangement is in the child's best interest. Answer honestly, briefly, and respectfully.

It depends on the county and the documents filed. When the respondent signed a notarized Waiver of Service and the agreed decree, many courts allow only the petitioner to appear. Some courts, especially with children, require both spouses. Confirm your court's rule before scheduling.

Many Texas courts now offer remote prove-ups by video. Test your camera, microphone, and internet beforehand, find a quiet location, and have your documents ready to display if asked. Treat a remote hearing with the same formality as an in-person one.

For the full preparation checklist, see our Texas prove-up hearing topic page. DivorceReady prepares the documents you bring; it does not attend the hearing with you.