5 Common Causes Of Delays In Divorce Proceedings

Divorce is sometimes a long and drawn out process. If you are thinking about ending your marriage, you may worry about how long the divorce will last. You also likely want to move on with your new life as soon as possible. The divorce process is not always a long one, but there are some common causes of delays during divorce proceedings. Below, our Orlando contested divorce lawyer explains the five most common.

The Case is Contested

Divorces in Florida can be either uncontested or contested. An uncontested divorce can be finalized fairly quickly, because the couple agrees to all terms of the case. During a contested divorce, the spouses involved cannot reach an agreement on all the terms of a divorce and so, this causes a delay in proceedings. The more disputes involved in a divorce case, the longer it will take to finalize.

Refusal to Cooperate

When one spouse refuses to cooperate during proceedings, it can cause the case to be delayed for months, or even years. An uncooperative spouse may refuse to provide financial disclosures, attend depositions, or refuse to communicate and compromise during mediation. Not only will this refusal to cooperate cause the case to take longer to resolve, but it will also result in additional legal fees and expenses.

Dividing Assets

Even when a couple can agree on the division of assets, this process can be very time-consuming. First, marital assets must be identified and then valued, and then it must be determined how to fairly divide them between the couple. All of this takes a great amount of time. The more marital assets a couple has, the longer this process will take. If one spouse hides assets, that will cause an additional delay.

The Case Involves Child-Related Issues

Divorce cases that involve children will always take longer than those who do not. Even when the spouses know that these issues should be resolved depending on the best interests of the children, emotions can run high and one or either spouse may act unreasonably. This can result in lengthy delays when decisions about time-sharing and parenting responsibilities are being made.

One Party Does Not Consent to the Divorce

Even when a marriage is irretrievably broken, one spouse may still feel as though the marriage can be repaired. Although both spouses do not need to consent to a divorce in Florida, when one party still holds hope for reconciliation, it can cause a significant delay in divorce proceedings.

Our Contested Divorce Attorney in Tampa Can Help with Your Case

It is true that divorce proceedings often become delayed. When working with our skilled Orlando contested divorce attorney at Anderson & Ferrin, you will have legal representation that knows how to overcome the obstacles that create delays, so you can finalize your case as quickly as possible. If you are getting a divorce, call us now at 407-412-7041 or connect with us online to schedule a free initial consultation and to learn more about how we can help.

Source:

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/0061.html