Most people would probably consider a successful divorce one that is quick, easy and doesn’t require a total loss when it comes to primary assets. If children are involved, they are likely the primary factor when it comes to divorce success. Is it possible to avoid going to trial and settling outside of court? In a word, yes.
If you and your spouse share the desire to keep your affairs from being overly drawn out in court, one option you have is to both sit down with your attorneys and discuss the things you would each like to retain, and negotiate from there. There will likely be assets you both value and for those you may be able to work out a compromise. In doing this, you could settle things outside of court and resolve issues without a trial.
More formal dispute negotiations can be achieved with processes that still keep you out-of-court, such as collaborative law and mediation. In fact, most divorces these days are done without going to trial. This alternative dispute resolution can save significant time and money. Once a settlement is achieved, the judge holds a hearing, simply to review the agreement and have each party sign off on it. There are limited reasons a judge would raise an eyebrow over the agreement, as long as it looks fair and for the most part balanced, you should be good to go.
If you would like to simplify the process of divorce and believe working collaboratively with your spouse is a possibility, you may benefit from speaking with a Texas family law attorney who can assist with mediation.