Filing for divorce is a major decision that never comes easy. It takes a long time, maybe months or years of careful thought and perhaps exhausting every single effort imaginable to salvage the marriage before one comes to this decision. Divorce may be the best option for you and your spouse if there is no other way to make the marriage work.
Many hope for the process to go as quickly and as painlessly as possible so both parties can move on. While this can be possible, this may not always be the case.
What happens during the divorce process?
After you file for divorce, you need to serve the other party the divorce papers. Your spouse will need to respond. This may take some time, depending on how long it takes to deliver the document and how long it takes for the other party to respond.
Once your spouse responds, you will both need to discuss all the matters pertaining to your divorce in detail. Topics you need to cover may include child custody and child support, as well as property division and spousal support. Again, this may take a great deal of time depending on how agreeable you both are. The number of issues you need to resolve and the complexity of your marital assets may also affect how long your discussions will last.
The dispute resolution method may also affect how long your divorce process will last. It will typically last longer if the case goes to trial. If you pursue mediation or a collaborative divorce, reaching a resolution may be faster.
The divorce process varies in time depending on the details of each situation. It can take longer when there are complex assets or if there are disagreements about how to handle property division or child custody matters.
Divorce is not just an emotionally and financially exhausting process, it can also take a lot of time. Seeking the advice of an attorney who can help you understand the process and your options can help you avoid dragging the process out unnecessarily.
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