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Legal Tips to Speed up Your Divorce

By Christopher Coble, Esq. on December 06, 2016 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Whether you fell in love at first sight or had a long, drawn out romance, when you're ready for a relationship to be over you normally don't want to have to wait around to make it happen. Unfortunately, when it comes to ending a marriage, a divorce can't exactly happen overnight.

That said, there are some ways you can make sure the legal process doesn't take longer than absolutely necessary. Here are some ways you could speed up your divorce.

Do Your Research

The more prepared you are for divorce, the better. Knowing what to expect means you won't be blind-sided by legal filings or issues, which also means you can respond more quickly. Identifying possible legal hurdles (including shared children, business interests, and tax implications) even before the divorce can mean those won't slow you down later.

Talk to Your Spouse

Easier said than done, we know. But a hotly contested divorce will take much longer than a collaborative one. Keeping open lines of communication with your soon-to-be ex and sorting out legal issues on your own -- as opposed to waiting to have them sorted out by a judge -- can shorten the time between filing and finalization. In some cases, you could choose mediation over deciding your divorce in court, and most judges are happy to sign off on a fair separation agreement that the parties come up with themselves.

Get the Benefit of Your State Laws

Because states have general control over their own marriage laws, they can control divorces as well. And getting divorced in one state might be easier than in another. States with no-fault divorce laws, fewer filings and fees, and shorter waiting periods can provide a quicker path to ending your marriage. You may also have other options, like a legal separation or summary dissolution, depending on where you live.

Consult Your Attorney

An experienced divorce lawyer will know the fastest way to finalize your divorce, and will be able to expedite the process as much as legally possible. Talk to one today.

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