Most people want to know how long it will take to finalize a Divorce in California. The answer to this question is not simple. In California the minimum time frame is 6 months and 1 day from the date of service. However, this is not the maximum time frame.
There are a number of factors that contribute to a longer length of time for the finalization of a Divorce. Here are some of the factors:
- When the parties do not get legal advice and they prepare the paperwork incorrectly; the courts reject paperwork that is presented incorrectly or has incorrect and conflicting information
- When the parties do not agree on their issues. In this case, the respondent will respond when served. This means that the Divorce is contested and will require a Trial if the parties cannot agree on issues. It may take over a year to get a trial date depending on the court. In a contested Divorce, other legal procedures may be needed such as depositions, discovery etc which can be very time-consuming
- When the parties do not cooperate and one or both try to ‘game’ the system by presenting roadblocks such as not showing up for hearings, continuing the scheduled hearings or trial, or they may change their lawyer etc.
It’s very important to understand the issues of the Divorce before any papers are filed. Once the client understands the issues and how the courts work, he/she can decide the best legal option. However, it’s always best to have a Divorce Lawyer prepare the paperwork and handle the process as this will help assure the quickest time frame.
Many people think that a Divorce Attorney is too costly–but this is not always the case. Legal Action Workshop offers LOW FLAT FEES for Divorce with an experienced Attorney! We make it affordable to have an Attorney on your side. If you have questions about Divorce, call us at 1-800-HELP-444 (1-800-435-7444) or visit our website @ www.LegalActionWorkshopLAW.com for more information.