Why Is Divorce So Time-Consuming?
The short answer to this question is that legally ending a marriage is a complicated process that requires the resolution of a lot of issues, including how to divide marital property and if a couple has children, how they will share custody. These are important issues that cannot be addressed haphazardly, but require time and patience. It’s also important to note, however, that not all divorces are time-consuming. When a couple, for instance, is able to reach an out-of-court agreement on divorce-related issues, then a divorce could be finalized in a matter of only a few months.
Other Legal Problems
Allegations of domestic violence, harassment, or any other type of ongoing legal action can cause significant delays in the finalization of a couple’s divorce while those issues are resolved. Filing an order of protection, for instance, in cases of domestic violence, tends to take time, making divorce from an abusive partner even more complicated. Criminal charges against one of the parties can also set a divorce back, with certain issues like alimony, property division, and child custody often not being able to be resolved until a verdict is reached in the criminal case. Even property disputes between business owners can affect divorce, as this could be an asset that would need to be divided in the event of divorce. Similarly, bankruptcy proceedings will largely dictate what types of property a couple will have access to upon divorce, so the outcome of those proceedings may be necessary before a couple can end their marriage.
An Unscrupulous Spouse
Another thing that can delay divorce is a spouse’s decision to attempt to hide or waste assets in an effort to avoid sharing them with a partner upon divorce. Attempting to track down the hidden or wasted assets can take time and if it is discovered, will necessitate additional evidentiary hearings in the presence of a judge. This type of conduct can also result in stalled negotiations, derailing any attempts to reach an out-of-court agreement. Even the innocent moving of assets or transferring of funds can raise alarms in a soon-to-be former spouse, leading to more thorough investigations and accusations, which, while unfair, can still be time-consuming.
Family Planning Issues
Family planning issues, like an unexpected pregnancy can also result in delays to the divorce process. The court will require clarifications relating to paternity of the child, as well as how responsibility for financially supporting that child will be shared. Custody negotiations will also likely ensue, which can take time to resolve, especially in cases where a child has yet to be born.
Do You Need Help with Your Divorce?
A lot of the divorce process is about reaching compromises and the ability to negotiate difficult issues in a tactful and respectful manner. An experienced and compassionate Florida divorce lawyer can help throughout this process, reducing the chances of costly delays. For help with your own divorce, reach out to dedicated Florida divorce lawyer Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A. at 954-945-7591 today.
Sources:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0741/Sections/0741.30.html
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.075.html