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4 Factors That May Slow Down Divorce Proceedings

by Richard J. Banta | Feb 11, 2020 | Uncategorized

Negligence Lawyer

Going through a divorce can be one of the most stressful life events you can experience. Not only must you face the end of your marriage, but dividing objects, finances, and deciding how to handle the custody of your children are all difficult tasks. While the rules of divorce may vary depending upon where you live, there are a few factors that may slow the proceedings and delay its finalization.

  1. The State You File In 

Some states view divorce differently than others and may require you to wait as long as 12 months before you can divorce. Nevada and Maryland require such a waiting period while other states, including Vermont and Virginia, only require a six-month wait. These wait times are typically enforced to give you and your spouse ample time to make important child care decisions or to seek counseling if you believe the marriage could possibly be salvaged.

  1. A Contested Divorce 

There are many factors that must be resolved once you and your spouse decide to split, and some may cause a contested divorce. Custody details, alimony, and the division of property may all be matters of contention on either side. The more conflicts you and your spouse face, the longer your divorce may take to be finalized.

  1. New Living Arrangements 

If your spouse filed for divorce, he or she may want to start dividing assets as soon as possible, which might include the sale of the family home. If your spouse decides he or she wants to keep the home and continue to raise your children there, it may take several months for you to find new living arrangements, which can be a challenge during a time when your finances become tangled up in the cost of the divorce.

  1. A Lengthy Court Trial 

If you choose a court trial in lieu of arbitration, this may delay divorce proceedings. Litigation typically takes more time, so if you are hoping to fast track your divorce, you may want to ask your attorney about how arbitration may help. During this proceeding, both parties sit down with their lawyers and an objective third party, who is the mediator. This individual can help both you and your spouse on matters of property division and give insight about how you both might arrive at an agreeable decision on matters that have been difficult to work out previously.

When you decide to end your marriage, the wait to file and the time it takes to divide property and finances can be frustrating, but there may be a few shortcuts you can take. Go online or call a divorce lawyer, like a divorce lawyer in Rockville, MD, for further assistance.

 

 

Thanks to The Law Office of Daniel J. Wright for their insight into some of the factors that can slow down divorce proceedings.