Prior to talking to a divorce lawyer, you may be wondering how long it will take to complete the divorce process. The answer is not the same for every case as it depends on several factors. When our divorce lawyer reviews your case during the initial consultation which is at no charge, the many variables involved will indicate how long the process will take. Some of the variables are dictated by the State and are out of your hands. Other variables will be influenced by the actions or inaction of your spouse. Our divorce lawyer makes every effort to complete the process as quickly and efficiently as possible so that your marriage will be terminated as soon as it is practical. Schedule a confidential, no cost consultation with our divorce lawyer today to learn more. In the meantime, below are some general guidelines.
What are the variables involved in the divorce process that can affect how long it takes to complete?
Though not all of these variables may be relevant in your case, it is likely that at least a few will affect your timetable. They include:
- Whether or not your spouse resides in another state, and how your state’s laws might affect deadlines in your divorce case.
- Whether or not your state’s laws include a waiting period or period of separation between you and your spouse before the divorce process can be completed.
- Whether or not you and/or your spouse met the residency eligibility requirements for your state.
- Whether your divorce lawyer will file for a no-fault divorce or a fault-based divorce.
- Whether or not you can locate the address for your spouse in order for your divorce lawyer to notify the court so that your spouse can be served the divorce papers.
- Whether or not you will undergo an uncontested divorce in which all of the major issues have been resolved between you and your spouse (such as spousal support and child custody) or your divorce will be contested and a trial will be unavoidable.
- Whether or not you or your spouse own valuable assets, property, or a business, all of which must be assessed for value and terms for distribution between the two of you agreed upon.
- Whether or not you have reason to believe that your spouse has hidden assets from you, or you have been accused of this.
- Whether or not there are minor children that you and your spouse share custody of, and if you have come to complete agreement about child support terms as well as custody and visitation.
- Whether or not the family court to which you will be assigned has a full schedule or a backlog of cases.
How can I speed up my divorce?
After your divorce lawyer has reviewed the details of your case, he or she can suggest ways in which you may be able to speed up the process to finalize your divorce. In many situations, when agreements can be worked out quickly between spouses on the following issues, it can hasten the case’s conclusion:
- The division of debt and assets.
- Child custody, child visitation, and child support terms
- Spousal support
- Health, life insurance, and retirement benefits distribution
To learn more about the divorce process and how long it may take for yours to conclude, contact an attorney today.
