Divorce proceedings in New York State can be completed in as little as a few weeks if both parties are in agreement. However, the average time for an uncontested divorce is three months. This is due to the paperwork and court review process that must take place before a divorce decree is signed. In cases where the parties do not agree, the process can take much longer and cost more.
When a person decides to get a divorce, they should seek out a legal counsel who specializes in divorce law. This is an important step as it ensures that all of the necessary paperwork is filed correctly and that the divorce agreement is in the best interest of any children involved. It is also important to keep all communications with the lawyer confidential. In New York State, there are several grounds for divorce including cruel and inhuman treatment, abandonment, adultery, incarceration, and legal separation.
The spouse who initiates the divorce must serve the non-initiating spouse with a final divorce order within twenty days of filing. The process of financial discovery can be tedious and time consuming. This involves gathering information about assets, debts, income, and other financial matters. This information must be disclosed to the court before a divorce decree can be signed.
In some cases, divorces can take years to complete. This is especially true if there are complex financial matters or if the parties cannot agree on certain issues. It is impossible to determine how long a divorce will take until it is finished and the judge has signed off on the decree.
