No one wants to get stuck in a divorce that drags on for years. Yet, plenty of divorces do exactly that. Some divorces can be completed in a matter of months, depending on the state of mind of the parties involved. Here are some of the most common reasons why divorces take so long.
1. Emotions
Divorce usually takes an emotional toll on everyone involved. After sharing your life with someone for so long, it can be difficult to let go of the relationship. When this happens, people tend to stonewall divorce proceedings, not comply, or make unreasonable requests to delay the proceedings. The person who files a Complaint For Divorce usually wants to be divorced as soon as possible, while the person being served the Complaint for Divorce usually doesn’t care how fast the divorce goes.
2. Finances
Not every divorcing couple has a complicated financial situation. But for couples that do, a spouse who is unwilling to produce financial information or is trying to hide assets can delay divorce proceedings. Even for couples with less complex financial situations, an outside expert may need to come in to evaluate the value of some assets. The bottom line is that the more complex the divorcing couple’s financial situation is, the longer it can take for a divorce.
3. At-Fault vs. No-Fault Divorce
How long your divorce takes will also depend on whether one party filed for an at-fault divorce or a no-fault divorce. An at-fault divorce means that one party is claiming that the other is fully responsible for the separation, while a no-fault divorce is when neither party claims that the other is fully responsible. At-fault divorces usually take longer than no-fault divorces since their claim must be proven in court. No-fault divorces can be largely completed out of court.
4. A 12-Month Separation
If one party is filing for a no-fault divorce in Maryland, the law states that the couple must be separated for at least 12 months. That means that the couple must not live together nor have sexual intercourse together for 12 months to have applicable grounds for a no-fault divorce. It’s important to stress that a 12-month separation period is only necessary for couples filing for a no-fault divorce. Couples filing for an at-fault divorce do not need to be separated for 12 months.
A Lawyer That Can Speed Up the Process
If you’re looking to speed up your divorce, let Alan Billian help. With over 30 years of experience in family law, he knows exactly what can stall your divorce proceedings and what you can do to make it go faster. Get started now by requesting your FREE 30-minute consultation.
