How Can I Avoid Delays In My Florida Divorce Case?

The truth is: Sometimes you can’t. Unless you’ve filed for a simplified divorce, which not everyone qualifies for, your divorce is likely to take six months or longer. Even when the divorce is uncontested, delays can occur that set you back. Nonetheless, identifying certain factors that cause delays in your Florida divorce case can help you prepare and minimize the impact of those delays. Below, the Tampa, Florida divorce lawyers at Faulkner Law Group, PLLC will discuss what factors contribute to delays in a Florida divorce case.

Combative spouses 

Generally speaking, you are trying to reach an agreement with your former spouse on dividing up your marital estate, paying alimony, child custody matters, and child support. Once you’ve hammered out an agreement that includes all those factors, your divorce will be settled, and you can move on with your life.

If your spouse has refused to respond to the petition, hidden property so it is not subject to property division, or changed attorneys in the middle of the case, it could be a tactic to delay the divorce from being finalized for as long as possible.

Unfortunately, you cannot control what the other party does. To avoid further delays, it is important to remain transparent and honest throughout the course of your divorce proceedings. If your lawyer asks for information, it is important that you provide it as quickly as possible. This can help your case move forward without any further delays.

Contested divorces 

Uncontested divorces are divorces in which the couple agrees to all matters that need to be resolved in their divorce case. Because there are no disputes remaining, these cases can proceed very quickly and be resolved in as little as three months. If the couple disagrees on even one matter, the case becomes contested. If a contested divorce requires litigation (testimony in front of a judge where the judge renders a final decision), it will take considerably longer to resolve. The case could, in fact, drag out for years. Mediation and collaborative divorce are two methods of alternative dispute resolution that can make the process go by much quicker.

The waiting period 

Some folks make the mistake of thinking that once they file for divorce, the case can be finalized nearly immediately. This simply isn’t true. Even if you and your spouse agree to all the different terms of the divorce and file an uncontested case, it will not immediately be resolved. You have to wait 20 days from the date the divorce is filed with the court. This means that even if you have drafted an agreement with your spouse, and the proceedings have gone by smoothly, your divorce cannot be finalized until the waiting period is over.

Talk to a Tampa, FL Divorce Lawyer Today 

Faulkner Law Group, PLLC, represents the interests of Tampa natives who are going through divorce. Call our Tampa family lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin discussing your next steps right away.