what is the average length of time for a non contested divorce with a lawyer

by Phoebe Zemlak 3 min read

Well, we will recommend that for an uncontested divorce expect three to 12 months. And for a contested divorce expect two (2) to fours (4) years for your divorce to be finalized. Keep in mind that the more you are willing to compromise and pick your battles and hire the right family law firm the shorter and easier it will be to end your divorce.

The average uncontested divorce takes 3 months. The average contested divorce takes 12 months. The amount of time varies according to the judge, the county, and the will of the parties to speed things up or delay. Most people facing divorce desire to move on with their life as quick as possible.Mar 10, 2018

Full Answer

How long does an uncontested divorce take in the UK?

Jan 21, 2020 · In our survey, it took an average of 18 months to resolve one or more issues by going to trial, compared to 13 months when the couples settled their disputes. That extra six months, on average, comes from all the steps involved in a divorce trial, which may include: gathering more evidence; filing and responding to pretrial motions

How long does an uncontested divorce take in California?

Mar 29, 2022 · That said, if both parties agree on the essential terms of their case and are able to have an amicable divorce, the overall procedure will usually take between 3 - 6 months, which is less than half the time of the average contested divorce.

How long does it take to settle a contested divorce?

May 22, 2021 · While an uncontested divorce can take 12 months in states such as New York, North Carolina, and Maryland etc. And up to 18 months or more in New Jersey. This is the divorce recommended to most couples who want to divorce as it is cost effective and also does not take long to finalize like a contested divorce.

How long does a divorce take in New York?

May 25, 2021 · So if there isn’t any dispute between parties, an average uncontested divorce takes around one month to complete the process. Related Reading: Divorce Timeline What does it take to file for an uncontested divorce? The process of undertaking an uncontested divorce varies based on state laws.

How to start an uncontested divorce?

If the parties have agreed on the essential terms of their separation, including financial issues, child custody, and property distribution, they c...

What are the steps in an uncontested divorce?

To begin your case, the filing spouse must prepare and submit the initial divorce forms with the court. Once received, the clerk will assign a case...

What to expect in an uncontested divorce hearing?

An uncontested divorce hearing is typically a brief formal procedure. Depending on the state, one or both spouses may have to attend the hearing an...

Where can I get uncontested divorce papers?

Depending on the state and county, the plaintiff typically obtains the necessary legal forms at the Clerk’s Office or the local law library. Some s...

Do I have to go to court for an uncontested divorce?

Each divorce case is unique, and a lot depends on the state where the lawsuit is filed and the personal circumstances of the couple. Sometimes, the...

What happens after you file for an uncontested divorce?

After filing for divorce, the plaintiff usually has to notify the other spouse about the case, by serving him or her with copies of the divorce pap...

How long does it take to get a no fault divorce?

The grounds for no-fault divorce require that the relationship between the spouses has broken down irretrievably for a period of at least six months before the divorce can be filed.

What is the waiting period for divorce?

A mandatory waiting period, also commonly referred to as a "cooling off period," is the amount of time that must pass before your divorce can be filed or, in some states, before it can be finalized.

How long after divorce can you remarry?

Also, neither spouse is allowed to remarry except to each other until 60 days after the divorce is finalized. You must wait 30 days filing to finalize your divorce. You must wait 60 days after your spouse is served with divorce papers to finalize the divorce.

How long do you have to wait to file for divorce with children?

No children: You must wait 30 days from the date of filing as long as the 60-day separation requirement is met. With children: You must wait 60 days from the date of filing even if the separation requirement is already met. You must wait 60 days after filing for divorce before you can have your divorce hearing.

How long do you have to wait to get divorced in Colorado?

You must wait 6 months +1 day after the date your spouse was served with divorce papers to finalize your divorce. Colorado. 90-120 days. You must wait 90 days from the date the divorce was filed or the date your spouse was served, whichever comes later, to finalize your divorce. Connecticut.

How long does it take to get divorced in Rhode Island?

90-120 days. You must wait 90 days from the date the divorce was filed to finalize your divorce. Rhode Island. 150 days. The hearing to finalize the divorce cannot be held sooner than 60 days from the date the divorce was filed. The divorce is finalized 90 days after the judge signs the Final Judgment at the hearing.

What is separation period?

A separation period, on the other hand, is the amount of time that the spouses must be separated before getting a divorce. In some states, the separation period must be met before the divorce can be filed, while in others, it just needs to be met before the divorce can be finalized.

What is the difference between contested and uncontested divorce?

As discussed above, an uncontested divorce is one where the spouses agree on the terms or issues involved in their case, and present the terms to the court in a settlement agreement for its approval.

How much does an attorney charge for a divorce?

In contrast, for an uncontested divorce, attorney fees average between $1,000 - $1,500 per case. Moreover, an amicable divorce process can be handled without a lawyer at all.

What can a court order if a spouse cannot agree to a divorce?

Specifically, if spouses cannot reach an agreement, the court can make orders on property division, child custody, spousal support, child support, and attorneys fees. To start a divorce case, the filing spouse will file a divorce petition or complaint with the court.

Why do divorce cases have more forms?

Contested cases usually have more forms because the spouses will most likely be going to court for hearings or a trial. The package of forms that a couple will need to file to get a divorce depends on many things, including: the state/county of residence; the type of service used for the court papers;

How old do you have to be to file for divorce?

Service rules vary, but service can usually be done by a process server or by someone who is not involved in the case, over the age of 21. Some states allow the spouses to file for divorce jointly as co-petitioners so that they can skip the "service of process" stage to get an uncontested divorce.

How does a divorce work?

In an uncontested divorce, the spouses can divide their property and assets at their own discretion by putting the agreed-upon terms into a settlement agreement. The judge will review the agreement and will typically approve the agreement, and the divorce, if it’s fair and does not violate case law.

What percentage of divorces are settled out of court?

What is an Uncontested Divorce. According to statistics, about 95 percent of all divorce cases in the US are now settled out-of-court. However, the definition of the term "uncontested divorce" is still not fully understood.

How long does it take to get an uncontested divorce?

Well, on the average an uncontested divorce can take a couple of days up to 18 months according to this law dictionary website article. According to the website mentioned above the timeframe of your uncontested divorce completion also depends on the state you are in.

What is contested divorce?

A contested divorce is when two parties do not agree on most things and willing to fight for their disputes long term. This is also called a complicated divorce. This type of divorce takes longer because of the many processes that it has to go through that complicates things.

Why is a complicated divorce called a complicated divorce?

Complicated divorce generally takes longer than an uncontested divorce because of substantial or complicated assets or debts in the marriage.

How long does it take to get divorced in New Jersey?

While an uncontested divorce can take 12 months in states such as New York, North Carolina, and Maryland etc. And up to 18 months or more in New Jersey. This is the divorce recommended to most couples who want to divorce as it is cost effective and also does not take long to finalize like a contested divorce.

Is divorce hard?

Side note, no one divorce is the same which means that how long it takes to get divorced will vary from one individual to another.

Why is the duration of an uncontested divorce inconclusive?

To decide on the duration of an uncontested divorce are usually inconclusive due to the several factors attached to the process. Since the aim of such a divorce is for the couple to agree to the terms of the divorce proceedings, the case can drag for an extended period in a case where there is a dispute.

How long does it take to get divorced?

So if there isn’t any dispute between parties, an average uncontested divorce takes around one month to complete the process. Related Reading: Divorce Timeline.

Why is domestic violence a disadvantage?

This is because the couples are not entering the uncontested divorce in good light, hence elongating the case.

What is an uncontested divorce?

In legal terms, an uncontested divorce is a case whereby involved parties aren’t disputing or fighting the decree. The case of such a divorce sees a rare event where both parties agree to the divorce and file an uncontested separation. This type of divorce costs less than a contested divorce and the process is usually seamless, ...

Why is it important to have a smooth divorce process?

Smooth process. The utilization of divorce agreement also helps the couple transit out of the union as they work together to hasten the dissolution. If they can achieve this point of agreeing to lots of issues surrounding the breakup and dissolution, then the process should be easy and fair.

Why do people want to avoid divorce?

This is because most divorcing partners are ready to move out and take other steps concerning their lives.

What is the law on divorce?

The laws on divorce are diverse depending on states, so before undertaking this divorce, understanding how a state handles issues such as child custody and property splits is essential. Some states would delay the divorce proceedings until all filed documentation is adequately attended.

How long does it take to get divorced?

A divorce can take anywhere between 3 and 24 months depending on whether it is contested or uncontested. The average uncontested divorce takes 3 months. The average contested divorce takes 12 months. The amount of time varies according to the judge, the county, and the will of the parties to speed things up or delay.

How long does a divorce in Florida last?

These are the type of cases you hear about. These are type of cases no one really wants. But a certain percentage of cases go to trial. The process from beginning to end for a contested case is long, delayed, and unpredictable. A contested divorce case can take anywhere from nine months, to three years. Occasionally a Florida divorce case can last up to 5 or 6 years. But an extreme situation such as that is rare.

Why is an uncontested divorce the quickest?

One thing to keep in mind: attorney conducted uncontested divorces are normally the quickest to finalize because attorneys can exert direct control over the scheduling.

What is contested filing?

A contested filing is a bit more intensive than an uncontested filing. You must gather and organize more intensive financial documents for disclosure to the other party. The degree of required accuracy is higher due to the fact that contested issues may hinge on your factual disclosures. You must also prepare for the realities of a contested, competitive case. The requirements are more exacting and take a bit more time. Unless the case begins as an uncontested filing – you cannot relax about requirements and you cannot take anything for granted.

What is contested divorce in Florida?

An initially contested case is the most common type of Florida divorce case. Contested cases are traditionally prepared, filed with the court, and then “served” on the other spouse. That involves a private process server personally delivering the documents to the

What is an uncontested divorce?

An uncontested divorce case is defined as a situation where both spouses are in complete agreement on every single detail. That includes parenting arrangements, child support and alimony to be paid (if any), division of assets, division of liabilities, who gets tax exemptions, etc., etc.

What is the process of mediation in Florida?

Most initially contested cases come to a conclusion at mediation. Mediation is a semi-voluntary negotiation process. Florida requires mediation in all divorce cases. Most divorcing spouses completely settle their case at the mediation conference.

How much do you have to pay a divorce attorney?

Typically, you'll need to pay your divorce attorney a retainer, or a down payment, of $2,500 - $5,000. Your attorney will charge you against this retainer until the money runs out. After that, you may have to put down an additional retainer, or your attorney may bill you by the hour.

How much does a collaborative divorce cost?

The cost range for a collaborative divorce can start around $10,000, depending on the complexity of your case. You have several ways to get a divorce, and the costs vary.

How to file for divorce on your own?

First, you and your spouse can submit the required paperwork with your local family court. The court will then provide you with the forms you'll need, such as a petition for divorce and a parenting plan, which outlines the care for your children. After you file your documents and wait for the required period mandated by your state laws, you'll appear in front of the judge to finalize your divorce. Make sure you understand the laws of your state when completing your forms for divorce, such as alimony, child support and property distribution.

What is collaborative divorce?

This type of divorce is a hybrid between hiring an attorney and mediation, which is when both spouses work together to find a solution to their issues.

How much does it cost to file a lawsuit?

If you use an online service to help you, costs can range from $150 to $1,500 depending on the service itself and your specific situation, in addition to the filing fee.

Is divorce expensive?

By Jennifer Kiesewetter, J.D. Getting divorced is not only an emotional experience, but also costly, especially if you're not prepared and you don't explore your options. If both you and your spouse agree on the divorce, the distribution of your property, and the care for your children, including custody, visitation, and child support, ...

Is an uncontested divorce more expensive than a contested divorce?

An uncontested divorce is simpler and more cost-effective than a contested divorce, when the parties don't agree on one or more issues. If you're deciding on a divorce, you should understand the divorce process, what options you have, the length of time for the legal proceedings to conclude, and the cost.

How long does it take to get divorced in NC?

Divorces take, on average, between 12 and 18 months to finalize. Filing fees range from $75 in North Carolina to $435 in California. Divorced men and women have less money in independently owned defined-contribution retirement accounts than married men and women.

How much does a divorce attorney charge per hour?

20% paid $400 or more per hour. The more complicated the divorce, the higher attorneys' fees -- especially if the proceedings take a long time or if going to trial to resolve contested issues is necessary. Some attorneys offer a flat fee, which can help you budget for your divorce case.

How much does a divorce cost?

The median cost of a divorce is $7,500. An uncontested divorce or one with no major contested issues costs, on average, $4,100. Disputes over child support, child custody, and alimony raise the average cost of a divorce significantly. Divorces that go to trial on two or more issues cost, on average, $23,300.

How much wealth does divorce cause?

And some older studies have shown that divorce causes an average 77% drop in wealth.

How many people ended their marriages in 2018?

Despite that drop in the rate, this still means hundreds of thousands of people per year end a marriage -- 782,038 in 2018.

How much does a family therapy session cost?

Family therapy for yourself or your child: Rates are typically $75 to $200 per session, according to the National Directory of Marriage and Family Counseling.

Do you have to pay a fee to dissolve a marriage?

The court must legally dissolve your marriage. You have to pay a filing fee in court for this. Filing fees vary a lot by state, with some states showing significantly higher divorce costs than others.

What is Nolo for divorce?

Nolo is in a unique position to gather information about what actually happens in divorce cases across the country. Thousands of people visit Nolo.com and other Nolo sites every day, seeking legal information about divorce and looking to connect with divorce attorneys.

Do you have to give consent to a text message from Martindale-Nolo?

You are not required to provide consent as a condition of service. Attorneys have the option, but are not required, to send text messages to you. You will receive up to 2 messages per week from Martindale-Nolo. Frequency from attorney may vary. Message and data rates may apply.

Do I need an attorney for divorce?

Although most people would prefer to have an attorney by their side when going through a divorce, many also worry about how much this will cost. Even if you've called around or visited the websites of various divorce attorneys, you may still wonder if a lawyer is charging too much, or even too little ...