When filing for a divorce, the spouses must serve each other with the appropriate paperwork within a reasonable period of time. Each spouse then has 30 days to respond to the papers and dispute the issues. During this time, the spouse can appeal to a higher court. Often, a contested divorce will take longer than an uncontested one. In the event of a contested divorce, the process can be lengthy and painful.
Uncontested divorces can be relatively simple to complete. Once both parties agree on the issues and draft a settlement, the couple submits it to the court for approval. Some states require a brief hearing, but some will simply sign off on the settlement agreement without a hearing. If you are filing for divorce based on a contested issue, you must hire a skilled divorce attorney to help you navigate the process.
A contested divorce involves extensive documentation. This documentation may include basic financial information, wage and debt information, and any child-related materials. In addition to this, both spouses will need to find an attorney to represent their interests and decide on an appropriate resolution. However, the process can be costly and time-consuming, and your best option may be to settle the issue without any legal proceedings. And, in the end, you’ll be free to live your life without your spouse.
If the parties cannot settle, then the contested divorce process goes to trial. A judge will rule on the case. After the court’s hearing, the parties will have to wait for the judge’s ruling. A judgment can take weeks or months. If you and your spouse are unhappy with the result of the trial, you can appeal to the higher court. The judge’s decision will not be binding on your spouse, but it will not prevent you from pursuing an appeal.
Whether you want to file a petition for divorce or choose to file for a contested divorce, the process can take months or even years. Depending on the circumstances, a divorce can be completed within six weeks, and it may take as long as a year to finalize. A knowledgeable attorney will help you get through this time frame as quickly and painlessly as possible. The more time you have to prepare, the more likely you will be to reach a final agreement.
When your spouses are able to settle their issues prior to trial, you can expect a much faster divorce. However, if you and your spouse cannot agree, the process can be drawn out and costly. If there are many assets, determining who gets what can take a long time. Hiding assets can also prolong the process and can lead to legal actions. These delays could affect alimony, child custody, and child support.
If your spouses cannot agree on the terms of a divorce, you may want to consider an uncontested divorce. An uncontested divorce is a fast process and can be finalized without a trial. In this case, the divorce will be final and the parties are likely to agree on the terms. If you and your spouse cooperate well and trust each other, you may be able to settle on your own and save money.
