Divorce has many layers. Peeling away each layer takes time, and so does addressing them, especially when sensitive human emotions, family matters and complicated assets are involved. These are some of the reasons why a divorce may take a considerable amount of time to resolve.
Ideally, you want to move on with your life as quickly as possible. That is why you want the divorce promptly finalized. Coming to a swift agreement is the goal for any divorcing couple. But how long does it take to get a divorce settled? There is no definitive answer. It may take a few weeks, a few months or even a few years. It depends on several factors.
Many aspects of divorce are time-consuming
Every divorcing couple is different, so every divorce resolution is different. Many time-consuming aspects come with a divorce. Here are some of them:
- Asset division: If substantial assets, a variety of investments and retirement accounts exist, all receive scrutiny in determining marital vs. non-marital assets. Such determinations take time.
- Child-related matters: The same holds true if the couple have children. Then you must give careful review to child custody and child support matters.
- The couple’s conduct: If couples do not get along or refuse to communicate, the judge must make crucial decisions. This only adds to the time it takes to complete a divorce. With costly and lengthy litigation, expect a divorce process that may take up to two years or even longer.
Still, there are two divorce options that show promise when it comes to saving on time and emotions. Mediation and collaborative divorce may shorten the length of time of a divorce. Working together means eliminating several months from a divorce process, and you can be on to a different life path.
