Does Getting a Divorce Take Long?

When partners have made up their decision to dissolve their marriage, if they aren’t prepared, questions like, Does divorce take a long time? might start coming into their minds. They should be aware that the divorce process in North Carolina can take several months and that does not include the time spent apart. It is unlikely that a divorce can be finalized in less than a month. It could take a year or more to finalize your divorce if there are a lot of contentious and contested issues.

Since every divorce case is different, it is impossible to predict how long a divorce will take without considering every aspect. You can learn more about how long the divorce process takes in North Carolina by reading this blog post.

Duration of North Carolina Divorce Proceedings

In general, the length of a marriage determines how long divorce proceedings take. The likelihood of contentious difficulties increases with the length of your marriage to your partner. There are, nonetheless, some exceptions to the generalization.

Remember that North Carolina mandates a 12-month separation period as well. This implies that you must live apart from your spouse for a full year following your decision to file for divorce, but before filing for divorce itself.

The following elements will usually cause the divorce process to take longer:

1. Complexity of Assets

Divorce proceedings can be prolonged due to the complexity of dividing assets, especially when there are substantial financial holdings or intricate property arrangements.

2. Child Custody Disputes

Disputes over child custody and visitation rights often lead to extended legal battles, requiring thorough evaluations to ensure the best interests of the child.

3. Alimony and Support Issues

Determining spousal support and child support can be contentious, involving negotiations and legal proceedings that contribute to the overall duration of the divorce.

4. Legal System Backlog

Court backlogs and overloaded legal systems can cause delays in scheduling hearings and processing paperwork, thereby prolonging the divorce process.

5. Mediation Attempts

Some couples opt for mediation to reach agreements outside of court. While this can expedite the process, reaching mutual agreements may take time.

6. Contested Issues

When spouses contest various aspects of the divorce, such as property division or alimony, it leads to prolonged legal battles and additional court hearings.

7. Emotional Factors

Emotional disputes and high-conflict situations can impede the negotiation process, making it challenging to reach resolutions promptly.

8. Discovery Process

Gathering information during the discovery process, which involves obtaining and sharing relevant documents, can be time-consuming and contribute to delays.

9. Legal Representation

Availability and scheduling conflicts with lawyers and legal professionals can affect the pace of the divorce proceedings.

10. Jurisdictional Issues

If spouses live in different jurisdictions or countries, navigating different legal systems and ensuring compliance can extend the divorce timeline. In general, the duration of an uncontested divorce in North Carolina ranges from 45 to 90 days, with many cases taking significantly longer because to the ongoing pandemic.

The North Carolina Divorce Process

The form of divorce determines how long it takes to be finalized. Divorces that are disputed usually take longer to finalize than those that are not.
To begin the legal process of divorce, one spouse must wait a full year to comply with North Carolina’s statutory separation period before filing divorce papers. The divorce complaint is then served to the other spouse, who has 30 days to reply. The spouse of the respondent may occasionally ask for more time to respond.

The petitioner may move forward with their divorce by setting up a hearing if the respondent spouse acknowledges the accusations or does not file a response within the allotted 30 days. Even if the accusations are rejected, the petitioner still needs to set up a hearing.
The petitioner spouse must provide documentation of the date of their separation as well as evidence that their split was meant to last forever.

How much time would it take to get your divorce case resolved?

Divorces that end in a deadlock over matters like property division, alimony, and child custody usually take longer to finalize. Many variables affect how long it will take to resolve your specific case. To find out how long the divorce procedure will take in your particular situation, speak with an experienced family lawyer in North Carolina.

Frequently Asked Questions About Why Divorce Take Long

1. Why do divorces often take a long time to finalize?

One major factor is the complexity of dividing assets, especially in cases involving substantial financial holdings or intricate property arrangements.

2. How do child custody disputes contribute to the length of divorce proceedings?

Resolving disagreements over child custody and visitation rights can lead to extended legal battles, requiring thorough evaluations to ensure the best interests of the child are considered.

3. What role do alimony and support issues play in prolonging divorces?

Determining spousal and child support involves negotiations and legal proceedings, contributing to the overall duration of the divorce, particularly when spouses can’t agree on these matters.

4. Are there external factors impacting the duration of divorces?

Yes, court backlogs and overloaded legal systems can cause delays in scheduling hearings and processing paperwork, adding to the time it takes to finalize a divorce.

5. How do attempts at mediation affect the timeline of a divorce?

While mediation can expedite the process by reaching agreements outside of court, it may take time for spouses to come to mutual agreements, contributing to the overall duration.

6. Can emotional factors impact the length of divorce proceedings?

Yes, emotional disputes and high-conflict situations can impede the negotiation process, making it challenging to reach resolutions promptly.

7. What is the significance of the discovery process in divorce timelines?

The time-consuming nature of the discovery process, involving the gathering of information and relevant documents, can contribute to delays in finalizing a divorce.

8. How does the choice of legal representation influence the duration of divorces?

Availability and scheduling conflicts with lawyers and legal professionals can affect the pace of divorce proceedings, especially if there are delays in communication or court appearances.