When Will My Divorce Be Finalized?

divorce papers with glasses case

When Will My Divorce Be Finalized?

When you file for divorce, you probably want to have the process finished up as soon as you can. Many elements can influence how long it takes for a divorce to get finalized though, so yours might take less or more time than the typical divorce to settle. Our Morristown divorce attorneys are ready to help you at every step of the way though.

How Long Does it Take the Typical Divorce to Get Finalized?

Many divorces take around a year to 14 months to get finalized. However, there are so many different factors that can affect this timeline and every divorce is different. Some people can wrap up their divorce in just a few months, while others continue to argue and drag things out for closer to two years.

What Can Affect How Long Divorces Take to Get Finalized?

A few factors can make a divorce take longer while others can make it easier to come to an agreement and put this all behind you. Some things that can have an effect on your negotiations include:

  • Whether children are involved
  • How much you have in assets
  • A history of domestic violence
  • How cooperative each spouse is in negotiations
  • Whether you and your spouse have significant debts
  • The presence of a valid prenuptial agreement

Of course, whether the divorce is contested or uncontested can make a big difference too. If you and your spouse can agree on everything and file for an uncontested divorce, that is going to be finalized much faster than a contested divorce where there are still arguments over important matters.

Can Alternative Dispute Methods Be Used to Get a Divorce Finalized Faster?

Yes, and we’re big proponents of exploring other methods for problem solving. Going through the courts can take a while and litigation can be quite contentious. Sometimes a more collaborative approach can make negotiations easier and get a divorce finalized faster.

Mediation can be a good choice for some couples. You and your spouse would sit down with a neutral mediator and work together to come to an agreement on key issues. The mediator is trained to keep the conversation moving and to bring down the temperature so it’s easier to negotiate. If successful, mediation sessions can take far less time and cost less money than litigation would.

Arbitration is another potential option. This functions like court but on an expedited basis. The decision is binding and the ability to appeal is limited, unlike in family court where a spouse with a grievance can appeal a judge’s ruling and extend the process.

Talk to Our Divorce Lawyers

If you want to learn more about how an experienced divorce attorney can help you with this process, contact Lazor Rantas, PC. We can schedule a consultation and tell you more about how we can be of assistance.

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