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One of the most common divorce questions is how long the divorce will take to be finalized.
The short answer is – it depends. Since no one marriage is exactly alike, each divorce is uniquely different.
New Jersey family courts, however, generally look to have a divorce entered within one year from when the divorce complaint was filed.
The following circumstances can help gauge if your divorce will take less time or more time.
Specifically, the following factors can lead to a quicker outcome:
- Are you each fully familiar with the nature and amount each other’s income?
- Are you both familiar with all assets and debts acquired jointly or in either of your names?
- If you have children:
- Can you and your spouse agree on a custody and parenting time arrangement?
- Can you both agree on how college and other expenses for the children will be paid?
The factors below, however, could prolong the divorce outcome:
- Is your spouse – or your spouse’s lawyer – known for stirring up conflict and dragging things out?
- Is your spouse’s lawyer responsive so that agreements can be reached in a timely manner?
- Are there business interests or more complex compensation and corporate benefits involved?
- If you have children:
- Does your spouse refuse to allow you to see the children?
- Is there a significant other around the children that creates conflict with the other parent?
It also comes down to how much time, energy and money you and your spouse each want to spend fighting over your children and issues such as alimony and the distribution of assets and debts.
In any case, the best thing is to let go of expectations of when the divorce will be final.
In the meantime, let your lawyer guide you on protecting your interests and achieving the best result for you. You can then be free to focus on taking care of yourself, your children, and planning for the future you wish to create.
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