How Long can a Divorce Take

The unfortunate truth is that there is not easy answer. Every case is different and therefore the timeline varies. Here are a few guidelines that will help to give you an idea:

What can cause a delay in your divorce?

While many people are ready for their divorce to be finalized that does not mean that they agree to everything that their spouse wants. These are several ways that can delay your divorce.

• You and your spouse are not able to agree on the division of any of your assets, custody of the children, or alimony. Fighting over these items can take years to settle, especially where the division of assets is concerned.

• Some states will require you to wait a specified amount of time before they will grant you a divorce. This can range up to around six months depending on your state.

• Court schedules do not work around you and your spouse. There are thousands of people that get divorced in this country everyday and many of them choose to litigate. This means that you and your spouse will have to wait your turn on the court schedule should you choose to litigate.

How to Help Speed up Your Divorce Process

There are many ways that you can help to expedite your divorce while minimizing the cost.

• You and your spouse need to come to agreeable terms together as much as possible. Try to keep the attorneys out of your personal squabbles and just focus on what needs to be done for the divorce.

• It is never a bad idea to employ a psychiatrist when you are going through a divorce. Filing for a divorce can be extremely emotional, and the more you work through your personal issues the better you will be able to handle the specific aspects of the actual divorce.

• The legal divorce is the most involved process of the divorce, but if you work on the emotional aspect on your own you can avoid using your lawyer to battle out many of your marital issues that led to your divorce. Keep in mind that just because your divorce is completed does not mean that you are supposed to have moved past all of the emotional part as well.

• Carefully asses the reasons for why you will not agree to some of your spouse’s requests. Is it really that important to you, or are you just fighting about it because you are angry.

• Make sure that you fully disclose all of your assets, income, and other pertinent information.

• Hire a well established attorney that specializes in divorce. These lawyers deal with this every day and will know how to streamline what they are able to.

• Make sure that your attorney is on the same page with what you want from your divorce. It does nothing but waste time and money should your attorney begin to fight with your spouse’s lawyer over things that do not matter to you.

Where to Get Help

If you are considering legal separation or divorce, it is in your best interest to get qualified legal assistance from a licensed divorce attorney. Your attorney will guide you through the process; answer your questions; and advocate for your legal rights, financial, and emotional well-being (and that of your children.)