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Understanding the factors that influence a divorce timeline

On Behalf of | Jun 18, 2020 | Divorce

The decision to end a marriage in divorce can be painful. For many Coloradoans who end up at the crossroads of maintaining their relationship or bringing it to its legal end, the choice is something that is considered, fretted over, and contemplated for considerable time. However, once the decision to divorce is made, many hope to complete the process as quickly as possible.

The timeline to divorce can look very different depending on factors related to individual divorce cases, and for that reason readers should not rely on this post as legal advice. Consultations with trusted family law and divorce attorneys can provide them with information on how their individual cases may evolve. There are, though, certain procedural and legal requirements that individuals must meet that can change how long it takes for them to reach their final divorce decrees.

First, individuals who want to divorce in Colorado must live in the state for at least 90 days before filing their paperwork to end their marriages. If a person moves into Colorado, they must wait until the 90 day residency requirement is met to start the divorce process.

Second, once a person is able to file for divorce, they must understand that their soon-to-be ex-spouse must have time to read and respond to their divorce petition. Not all divorces are mutual, and a spouse who receives a petition for divorce has 35 days to respond with their answer. If an answering spouse chooses to wait until the end of their response period to file their answer, this can add more than a month of time to the divorce process.

Third, factors such as the parties’ ability to agree on divorce-related matters, such as support and child custody, can impact the timeliness of a divorce from beginning to end. A divorce attorney can help a person understand these and other issues that can change the course of the divorce process and clear up any questions they may have about their own situation. Divorces are bound to certain legal processes and an attorney can be an invaluable resource for someone who hopes to make the end of their marriage as smooth as possible.

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