After you and your spouse have made the decision (whether separately or together) to get a divorce, you may be wondering what comes next. Naturally the decision may be a tipping point, but in the scope of divorce proceedings, it’s just the beginning. There are several steps in the divorce timeline from beginning to completion. What should you expect when beginning the process of divorce?
The first step requires the person filing the divorce to write up and file the complaint which will then be served upon the spouse. The summons then requires a response from the receiving spouse. Once confirmed, the property division and child custody issues can be addressed, whether this is finished in mediation, settlement or court order the proceedings will eventually complete the process. For those who feel they need to, they can appeal the judge’s decision if it’s unsatisfactory.
To say how long the entire process will take is different for every person, and thus hard to calculate. For some, it’s a matter of weeks. For others, a matter of months. For an unlucky few, it’s a matter of years. Most people like to get through the divorce process as quickly as possible, but sometimes a hang up on an issue can take time to get resolved.
Taking the time to understand the process and what’s important to you and your family is key to achieving a favorable result. This can also help to set expectations during the process, as it’s meant to be fair and equitable. The resolution would then reflect this in the divorce decree. When it comes to matters of child custody, it’s what’s in the best interests of the child.
