Is there an alternative to going to trial?

Yes, there are a number of ways to resolve your divorce without a trial.  First, you can agree to terms of a divorce and have a consent judgment entered.  Second you can do mediation.  Mediation is a process where a mediator helps resolve the issues in your case.  there is arbitration.  Arbitration is an informal process in which third party ( typically a divorce lawyer) acts as a judge and decides the issues in your case.  90 percent of divorce are resolved without a trial.