Maryland residents who are considering getting divorced might wonder how long the process will take. The length of a divorce will depend on the individual spouses and specific circumstances.
Couples who do not share children and do not disagree about how to split their assets and debts can file the necessary paperwork on their own with the court. The process in a do-it-yourself divorce in which nothing is in dispute will last only for a couple of months.
When more issues are at stake, a couple could choose to go through mediation and try to reach a resolution. In mediation, a trained mediator facilitates a couple’s discussion in an effort to help them to reach an agreement. If a mediated settlement is reached, the divorce may happen quickly. If a mediated settlement is not reached, the divorce might proceed through court and last for many months or years. Arbitration is another option that some couples choose. In this type of divorce, an arbitrator rules on the issues that are in dispute. Some couples are able to reach negotiated settlements with the help of family law attorneys without having to go to court. If the issues cannot be resolved, however, a divorce may proceed through a lengthy litigation process in court.
The end of a marriage can be difficult for many people. That’s why soon-to-be exes might want to seek the advice of experienced family law attorneys. Lawyers can help their clients prepare to file for divorce so that the process might be easier.