The Texas Divorce Prove-Up Hearing

What the Prove-Up Hearing Is

A prove-up is a brief court hearing where the filing party (and sometimes the respondent) 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, the hearing typically lasts five to ten minutes.

After the 60-Day Waiting Period

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 hearing before day 61. Once the waiting period passes, you request a hearing date from the court. Availability varies by county — some courts schedule quickly, others take a few weeks.

What to Bring

Bring a complete, organized set of documents so the judge can quickly confirm everything is in order.

• •A file-stamped copy of the Original Petition for Divorce.
• •Proof of service or the signed, notarized Waiver of Service.
• •The Final Decree of Divorce (enough copies for the judge to sign and for you to keep).
• •The Marital Settlement Agreement, if separate from the decree.
• •Parenting plan and child support worksheet, if you have children.
• •Current government-issued photo ID.

What the Judge Asks

The judge typically asks a short series of basic questions: your name, that you are asking for a divorce, that the marriage has become insupportable, that you understand the agreement, that the agreement is voluntary, and (with children) whether the parenting arrangement is in the child's best interest. Answer honestly, briefly, and respectfully.

Do Both Spouses Need to Attend?

It depends on the county and the documents filed. When the respondent has signed a notarized Waiver of Service and the agreed decree, many Texas courts allow only the petitioner to appear at the prove-up. Some courts require both spouses present, especially in cases with children. Confirm your specific court's requirement before scheduling.

Remote vs. In-Person

Many Texas courts now offer remote prove-up hearings by video. If yours is remote, test your camera, microphone, and internet before the hearing, 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 hearing.

How DivorceReady Helps

DivorceReady prepares the documents you bring to the hearing and provides filing instructions that include requesting the prove-up. We do not attend the hearing with you or tell you how to answer the judge. If your case is contested or the court requires both spouses, consult a licensed Texas family law attorney if you need representation.