How Long Does It Take to Finalize a Divorce?

Why can’t it just be over and done with? It’s an understandable question, especially when you’re talking about divorce. Unfortunately, the law isn’t always as quick as we might like. In Georgia, the time it takes to finalize a divorce will vary depending on the situation. At South Atlanta Family Law in Atlanta, GA, we make sure that our clients are informed about the timelines they should expect when working with a divorce attorney.

How Long Does It Take To Finalize a Divorce in Atlanta, GA?

Before you can even file for divorce in Georgia, you must meet the state’s residency requirements. That means that either you or your spouse needs to have lived in the state for at least six months. If you do not currently meet the residency requirement, the time you spend waiting will add to the timeline for your divorce below.

Uncontested Divorce

An uncontested divorce is where you and your spouse agree on all the issues that need to be resolved before the divorce can happen. These include asset division, child custody and support, whether any alimony will paid, and how much. If your divorce is uncontested, the divorce process is usually quick. However, Georgia does insist on a mandatory waiting period after divorce papers are served.

In Georgia, your spouse has 30 days to respond after you have filed for divorce and must submit an Answer and a Counterclaim. If you have arranged with your spouse for an uncontested divorce, then you can coordinate to make sure that your paperwork is in agreement. After the 30 days, a judge can hear your case and sign off on your divorce.

Contested Divorce

If you and your spouse disagree on any of the fundamental issues of the divorce, such as how to divide your assets or who will have primary physical custody of your children, the divorce is likely to take much longer to finalize. A contested divorce has lots of steps, from discovery to mediation to a trial if an agreement cannot be reached.

The average contested divorce in Georgia takes a year or more to resolve, depending on how complicated the case. Proceeding to trial also adds time, as you will need to wait for a court date, go through the trial process, and then await the judge’s final decision before your final divorce degree can be issued.

Speed up the Process with a Divorce Attorney

As you can see, the timeline for a divorce varies significantly depending on each couple’s unique circumstances. Though it is not possible to say how it will take for you without a proper consultation, one thing you can be sure of is that an attorney will make sure that the process does not take any longer than it needs to.

Whether you are looking for a professional to expedite the process of an uncontested divorce, or someone to fight your corner, we can help. Contact us at South Atlanta Family Law in Atlanta, GA, where we will make sure that you are able to move forward with your life as quickly as possible.

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