How long does it take for an Uncontested Divorce?

It has been recorded that even 10 days have proved sufficient to complete an uncontested divorce. After the initial filing for divorce is done, there is a waiting period. When the waiting period is complete, the finalization date is scheduled. Each state in the United States has prescribed different waiting periods and the span of this period may alter from time to time. Hence, it is advisable to confirm the waiting period with the legal counsel in the state.

How long does it take for an Uncontested Divorce as per latest data

The waiting periods in the various states in the United States as per the latest data have been furnished below.

18 months: New Jersey.

12 months: North Carolina, New York, Maryland.

180 days: Louisiana, Illinois, Delaware, California.

120 days: Wisconsin.

90 days: Washington, Vermont, Utah, South Carolina, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Iowa, Connecticut, Colorado.

60 days: Wisconsin, Texas, Nebraska, Mississippi, Kentucky, Kansas, Indiana, Arizona.

42 days: Ohio.

30 days: Oklahoma, Missouri, Michigan, Massachusetts, Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama.

20 days: Wyoming, West Virginia, Montana, Idaho, Florida.

10 days: Oklahoma.

No waiting period: South Dakota, Nevada, Minnesota, Maine, Hawaii.

If minor children are involved in the divorce, some states have extended waiting periods. These are as follows.

90 days: Tennessee.

30 days: Oklahoma.

6 months: Virginia, Michigan.

Factors that affect how long does it take for an Uncontested Divorce

Location

It is evident from the above listings, that depending on the divorcing couple’s location in United States, the mandatory waiting period varies.

Cooperation

The degree of cooperation between divorcing partners decides how quickly an agreement is made. More the cooperation, lesser is the time for developing the agreement and consequently, the time essential for the divorce is lesser.

Mediation

Sometime it happens that the divorcing partners are not able to agree on all the terms. In such a scenario, if both opt for mediation, then, there is some possibility of continuing with the uncontested divorce procedure. Depending on the number of issues and some other factors, mediation may need a couple of hours or some weeks.

Role of lawyer

Some divorcing partners hire a lawyer to manage the uncontested divorce case. The ability of such a lawyer to complete the divorce forms depends much on the pace with which the divorcing partner supplies the essential information. It is advisable that the divorcing partner should not call or email the lawyer repeatedly with bits and pieces of data. Instead, the divorcing partner should gather all the required data and submit it to the lawyer once for all.

After all the data has been submitted to the lawyer, the lawyer has to find time for drafting the papers depending on the court schedule and / or the caseload. When the divorce papers are drafted, they should be reviewed by the divorcing partner (Petitioner). These papers are then sent to the Respondent along with a self-addressed and stamped envelop to facilitate return of the papers. Here, the efficiency of the postal service comes into picture.

Divorce Papers