How Long Does a Divorce Take to Finalize?
There is no easy way to answer the question of how long it takes to finalize a divorce, other than, “It depends.” It depends on the type of divorce. It depends on the parties. It depends on whether the parties have children, whether the parties have a lot of assets, whether the parties have a lot of property to divide, and debts to divide. Most importantly, it depends on the individuals and if both parties are willing to get the divorce finalized. There are many factors that go into a divorce, and therefore many elements that can change the course, and length, of the divorce proceedings.
If the parties in a divorce are very angry, contentious, and unwilling to compromise, then they will experience a very different divorce process than those who are more agreeable. Personally, I have dealt with divorces where the divorce proceedings lasted significantly longer than average due to the couple fighting over every single thing – even including their kitchen knife sets. Because these cases often involve going to trial, or at least multiple mediations, it’s not unusual for these cases to last anywhere from a year to 18 months or longer.
On the other hand, if you are going through an uncontested divorce, where both parties are already in agreement on all of the issues in your divorce, this simple divorce process can sometimes be finalized in just a matter of two to three weeks.
While the couple’s intentions going into the divorce does play a role in its efficiency, the sheer number of issues in the divorce can often contribute to the length of the divorce process. Couples with few assets, and no children, have few division decisions to make and should be able to settle their issues comparatively more quickly than a couple with many assets, debts, and/or children. Though not always the case, oftentimes the more factors involved increases the likelihood of more disagreements that arise, which in turn increases the time it takes to finalize a divorce.
If you’re looking for a divorce that is quick, I would advise you to sit down with your spouse and try to communicate peacefully in order to come to an agreement on as many of the issues in your divorce as possible. Doing so will provide the best chance for a smooth, and quick divorce process. Another added benefit is this preparation and collaboration allows you to be more in control of the outcome of your divorce and how it will impact your lives. It alleviates the need for a judge to order arrangements on your behalf.
If you have questions about Divorce, or any other Family Law topic, do not hesitate to schedule a consultation with our office in order to speak at length on your specific situation. Our office can be reached at (702) 998-1188, info@ljlawlv.com, or by scheduling a consultation online.
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