How Long Does a Divorce Take?

The time taken to complete a divorce, whether by mediation, arbitration, or trial, can vary from 45 days to 1.5 years (longer, in some high-conflict cases) depending on several factors, such as:

How Long Does a Divorce Take?
  1. Whether the divorce is contested or uncontested
  2. Whether the divorce is a “fault” or “no-fault” divorce
  3. How experienced and effective your family law attorney is
  4. Laws of the state in which the divorce petition is filed
  5. Whether either spouse is hiding some assets
  6. Time taken by the court to issue a decree

Is the Divorce Contested or Uncontested?

An uncontested divorce is one in which all issues such as alimony, child custody, debt, property division, etc., are resolved between the spouses before the divorce petition is filed, and therefore, no trial is necessary. Essentially, an uncontested divorce is one in which everyone agrees on everything. It can take anywhere from 45 days to 5 months to complete the divorce depending on the state in which the divorce petition is filed.

A contested divorce is one in which the spouses disagree on issues such as property division, parenting plan, child custody, etc. Such cases can take 18 months, or even longer, to resolve depending on the complexities of the individual case, the level of disagreement between the spouses, and how far each spouse is willing to go.

“Fault” or “No-Fault” Divorce

According to Cornell Law School, all U.S. states allow no-fault divorce. However, about two-thirds of the states also allow spouses to file for a fault-based divorce.

In a no-fault divorce, it is enough for one spouse to simply state that the marriage is not working out because of incompatibility, irreconcilable differences, or that the marriage has broken down and cannot be retrieved. There is no need to prove anything in the courts and thus, the divorce is speedier.

On the other hand, a fault-based divorce requires the petitioner to allege a marital offense on the part of the other spouse – and prove it. The common grounds for this divorce are incurable mental illness, infidelity, impotence, bigamy, criminal conviction, physical or emotional abuse, spouse abandonment without reason, forcefully or fraudulently getting married, addiction, or any other reason specified by your state.

A fault-based divorce can take a long time because it requires one spouse to prove the wrongdoing on the part of the other spouse. Despite the long trial process in such a divorce, a spouse may feel it is the best option to get justice for oneself and penalties for the spouse at fault.

Experience and Effectiveness of your Family Law Attorney

The divorce process begins with the filing of a petition, serving it to the other spouse, assessing the reply, responding to a counter-petition (in some cases), filing a stipulation, filing documents, exchanging documents, attending mediation proceedings, getting ready for trial (if mediation does not work out), and ends with the trial.

To cut a long story short, if you work with a general practice law firm or with a rookie lawyer, you may experience errors, goof-ups, and delays – which can lengthen the divorce process. You need to work with an effective and experienced divorce attorney who is reputed and well-versed with the paperwork and court processes if you want your divorce to proceed smoothly, efficiently, and without any unnecessary delays.

Laws of the State

The following regulatory factors can impact the timeline of your divorce:

  • When spouses file for a divorce, state laws require them to wait (live apart) for a specified period before the divorce is completed. This period is referred to as the “cooling off” period or the waiting period, and it can range anywhere between 0 and 365 days depending on the state you reside in and file for divorce. For example, in Illinois, there is no “cooling off” period, while Maryland has specified a 365-day cooling-off period. This waiting period impacts the length of the divorce. Some states relax the waiting period if parents of minor children take a state-mandated divorce education course. Also, the courts can issue interim orders during the “cooling off” period.
  • You also have to fulfill your state’s residency requirements before filing for divorce. For example, in Utah, you or your spouse must reside in a single county for at least 3 months immediately before filing a divorce petition.
  • Your county court’s backlog of cases also matters. A large backlog of cases increases the divorce timeline.

When a Spouse Hides Assets

If you suspect that your spouse is hiding assets and that his/her disclosure of assets is incomplete or fraudulent, your divorce attorney needs to take appropriate steps like hiring an investigator or requesting documents. This adds to the time.

Time Taken by the Court to Issue a Decree

Most U.S. courts do not issue the final divorce decree until all property division and child custody matters are resolved.

Every state requires that there be a certain number of days between the filing of the petition and the day the decree is signed. For example, Utah’s laws state that there be a 30 day gap between the petition date and the decree date. However, when faced with extraordinary circumstances, a spouse can ask the court to waive this waiting period.

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!
About the Author: Keith Bruss
f7aa3855f1363a52c39b588c2d777f0d26c4b0ccec87fa488246e3d64fb866ba?s=72&d=mm&r=g

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY AND WHY

Check out what some of our real life clients had to say about working with Brown Family Law

BrownLaw icon
Excellent
Brown Family Law
Based on 1013 reviews
Worked with Nick and Carren they did an awesome job with a difficult situation. The whole Brown law team was excellent to work with. I would highly recommend them to anyone that needs thier services. Thank you Nick and Carren also the rest of the team. On a side note everyone i delt with was very friendly! Thank you again!
Clay is the best
Clay was fantastic. I really appreciated his professionalism and knowledge. I would absolutely recommend him to anyone needing his services.
Helped me with everything, supported me in all my decisions! Communication is top notch! Never worked with a lawyer who was so easy to get a hold of! They are the best!
Daniel is a wizard. He’s incredibly knowledgeable and has a real gift for walking you through stressful situations with clarity and calm. He makes the process feel easy when it could otherwise be overwhelming. Highly recommend working with him!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Navigating a divorce is never easy, and I am so grateful to have had the support of attorney Nathaniel Garrabrandt and paralegal Carren Leavitt. From start to finish, they were responsive, professional, and compassionate. I really appreciated the weekly check-in Every phone call and email was answered promptly. There were moments when I needed immediate help with custody issues and protection—Nathaniel handled those situations with calm expertise and gave me the reassurance I needed during such a stressful and uncertain time.

Divorce can feel overwhelming, but having strong legal guidance made all the difference. Nathaniel and Carren provided not only the legal knowledge but also the steady support that helped me feel protected and confident moving forward. I couldn’t recommend Briwn Family Law more highly to anyone needing a reliable and caring legal team!
David Handy and his team were fantastic in helping me navigate custody time with my daughter. He gave the me reassurance and encouragement I needed with each step and I couldn't be more grateful to him! Thanks David! And to his team Candace & Brooklyn for being very helpful in keeping constant communication open. I enjoyed working with everyone!
I had a great experience. Amazing guidance and direction to best help me and my situation.
This has honestly been a first-class experience! I've gotten to work with many attorneys throughout my life and none have been as attentive as, Clay Randle has been.
Daniel and Carren were great to work with. They took time to help me understand the process and get through a difficult time. When I had questions they were quick to respond and really listened to my concerns.
Glad Jason was fired. Clay can handle any case like a champ. Thank you brown family law.
Kayelise was the easiest to talk to. She addressed all my questions regarding my divorce and has so much empathy for those she talks to. I can’t thank her enough for her guidance in my divorce and answering all my questions.
I have had the privilege of working alongside Nate Garrabrandt through our BNI group and hearing him share valuable insights every week about the divorce process. Even though I haven’t personally needed the services of Brown Family Law, I can confidently say that Nate is extremely knowledgeable, well-educated, and passionate about helping his clients navigate such a challenging time. His professionalism and expertise stand out, and I would not hesitate to recommend him and his firm to anyone in need of a skilled divorce attorney.
I’ve had the privilege of working with Mr. Schwarz on various projects and would be confident in recommending him for any legal services. As a colleague, he displayed respect, integrity and loyalty to his partners. As a professional, he demonstrated incredible competence, skill and mastery of his field. He cares for his clients and their vision and works tirelessly for them to achieve it. Highly recommend.
I have worked alongside Nicholas Schwarz in a Judge's Chambers, and I can attest to the qualities that make him such a great attorney. Mr. Schwarz is highly intelligent and perceptive, but also exudes a quality of genuine compassion, which you unfortunately don't find in many attorneys.

His experience working directly for a judge gives him an invaluable edge. He has a firsthand inside view of the legal system that is unteachable. This understanding alone is an incredible asset and a huge leg up in any legal matter. He's also just an encyclopedia of information, not only about the law but also about everything else. This is a testament to his naturally inquisitive and intelligent mind and is also quite comical.

But what truly characterizes his work is his love for family, first and foremost. He will represent every case with compassion and fight tirelessly for his clients as if they were his own family. You won't find a better advocate than Nicholas Schwarz if you're looking for an attorney who is intelligent, likable, and truly devoted to not only your case, but for your best interests.
Leipua Brown and Clay Randle have helped me over the past couple of years with straight forward legal advice on my custody case. They are so kind and honest about truthful outcomes and helping me make educated decisions!! It’s unfortunate that situations like mine need endurance over the time span of YEARS to get through, but they for sure help ground me with clear direction. Through disappointment and heartache, I couldn’t be confident and hopeful without them!
Would highly recommend! Carren & Nathanial took incredible care of our case & got us to our end goal :)
Leipua Brown has helped us out tremendously! I was not familiar at all with certain legal issues and she was able to educate and Inform me in ways that could understand clearly. She was very thorough and personable, which made it easier to come to her with more questions after our initial conversation. Leipua is the best!!
Nick Schwarz, a fantastic attorney, incredibly knowledgeable and caring. Wonderful attitude with clients. Highly responsive, and acts quickly. Never leaves you hanging.
Daniel Young and Carren Leavitt were excellent to work with. It was a very difficult process for me on a personal level and they walked me through each step to a successful outcome I’m very happy with .
Response from the owner:Thank you so much. Glad we could help.
I can’t recommend Nick Schwarz enough. He really cares about his clients, goes above and beyond to exceed expectations and he does extra research to offer insights no one else would think of. I’ve worked with him on several projects in the past and he’s always both very impressive and intrinsically creative. Would recommend him to anyone.
Nick Schwarz and I were colleagues and he is extremely thoughtful and cared about clients. He is an excellent attorney and an even better person. He will make an excellent addition to any case.
Dani is the best paralegal I know. Clear communication, professional, and intelligent.
Paul Waldron offers a competent and mindful approach to navigating family law. Thank you Paul for being an asset in our community that we can all depend on.
Truly so grateful for the care and expertise of Brown Family Law. (Specifically Carren and Daniel) I’ve been going through a really difficult time, and having legal support met with such kindness and understanding meant the world to me. They not only provided excellent guidance, but also made me feel seen and supported. I will always refer people here and am so grateful for the compassion I experienced.
I cannot recommend Attorney Nicholas Schwarz highly enough! He is extremely professional, responsive, and truly dedicated to his clients. What sets Nick apart is not only his deep knowledge of the law, but also the genuine care and compassion he shows for his clients. He takes the time to explain everything clearly, answer questions promptly, and make you feel supported throughout the entire process. If you’re looking for someone who will fight for you while keeping your best interests at heart, Nick is your person!
Nick Schwarz is an outstanding attorney who combines sharp legal skills with genuine care for his clients. He is professional, attentive, and deeply committed to helping families through challenging times. I highly recommend him.
Idania is great!! She’s very helpful and attentive
Nick is an exceptional attorney—sharp, reliable, and truly client-focused. He makes complex legal matters easy to understand, responds quickly, and consistently goes the extra mile to deliver results. I highly recommend him to anyone in need of outstanding legal representation.
I've had the pleasure of being consulted by Attorney Nick Schwartz on a few issues I was having and was very impressed by his knack for breaking down difficult ideas into layman terms for me to understand my options better and make the best moves. He's a hard worker, and seems to really love what he's doing. I really enjoyed his positive attitude and candor while we were strategizing.
I highly recommend Nick Schwarz as Counsel. He has helped me with multiple legal issues over the years and has never disappointed. He is thorough and communicative. And, most importantly, he truly cares about his clients.
I had the privilege of working with Nick and his law firm, and I can’t recommend them highly enough. Nicholas Schwarz is professional, knowledgeable, and truly committed to his clients. He took the time to explain every step of the process clearly, kept communication open, and always made me feel like my case was a priority. His attention to detail and dedication gave me a lot of confidence, and the outcome exceeded my expectations. If you’re looking for an attorney who combines expertise with genuine care, Nick and his team are the ones to call.
I’ve worked with Nick on several projects over the years and he always goes above and beyond. He is attentive, detail-oriented, and highly professional. It’s clear that he genuinely cares about his clients. I would recommend him without hesitation. He’s an excellent choice if you need legal guidance.
Attorney Nicholas Schwarz is very personable, passionate, and a great advocate for his clients. Mr. Schwarz has that "grit" to get the job done and is very approachable. His personality and work ethic are truly one of a kind. He is a great lawyer and colleague. I highly a recommend his services if you want competent representation and someone willing to go above and beyond for your case.
I would highly recommend Clay to anyone! He is absolutely amazing and keeps you updated and informed with everything going on with your case!
Paul is a first-class attorney who not only has the skill to stand up for justice and guide your case to a successful resolution, but also demonstrates genuine care for his clients. A truly unique presence in his field.
Clay Randle at Brown Family Law is a master of clarity in the midst of complexity.

I hired Clay to help me navigate a divorce involving contested marital and premarital properties spread across multiple states. The legal terrain was anything but simple. Valuation disputes, and emotionally charged negotiations. Clay handled it all with precision, professionalism, and a calm that made a difficult process feel manageable.

What stood out most was his ability to distill complicated legal issues into clear, actionable steps. He was responsive, strategic, and always one step ahead in anticipating challenges. I never felt lost in the process—Clay made sure I understood my options and the implications of every decision.

If you’re facing a divorce with significant property concerns —Clay is the kind of attorney who brings both legal rigor and human empathy. I’m grateful for his guidance and would recommend him without hesitation.
Dani was very knowledgeable. She answered all my questions in timely manner. Would highly recommend working with her!
Clay really knows how to take care of his clients!
Clay is one of the most knowledgeable attorneys I’ve talked to. He has a great grasp of family law and is an amazing advocate.
I send all my family law clients to Clay. As a lawyer myself, I know how important good representation is. Clay honestly cares about his clients and is a very good strategist. He’s also really funny.
Clay is an amazing, compassionate, and talented lawyer. Highly recommend him and the firm.
David and Dani were very helpful and made my case as stress free as possible.
Great Team. Efficient and smooth process. Excellent communication. Thank you David Hunt.
I’m so grateful for attorney Nicholas Schwarz and paralegal Carren Leavitt at Brown Family Law. From day one, they were ready to work with me immediately, making my case feel like a top priority. Their organization is exceptional, every detail was handled with care and efficiency. Most importantly, their commitment to communication stood out. They kept me informed every step of the way, answered questions promptly, and made sure I fully understood my options.

If you want a legal team that is proactive, organized, and truly dedicated to their clients, I highly recommend Nicholas and Carren at Brown Family Law.
yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7

Schedule a Consultation


What Makes Us Different

At Brown Family Law, we know that when we make children’s well-being a priority, their parents do better, too.

At Brown Family Law, we know that when we make children’s well-being a priority, their parents do better, too.

At Brown Family Law, we know that when we make children’s well-being a priority, their parents do better, too.

At Brown Family Law, we know that when we make children’s well-being a priority, their parents do better, too.