How long does a divorce take?

The amount of time it takes to get a divorce in California varies depending on the individual situation. Generally speaking, a divorce can be finalized in as little as six months to a year in California, but it can take much longer depending on the complexity of the case. If the parties are able to come to an agreement on all matters related to the divorce, such as child custody, division of assets, and alimony, it can be completed much faster, as the court can simply sign off on the agreement. A divorce may take a little bit longer if there is a lot of disagreement between the parties that needs to be worked out before a final agreement can be made. In California, if the parties cannot agree to a divorce settlement, they are required to attend a Mandatory Settlement Conference in order to work out their issues. After that, the case will likely go to trial, which can take many months, or even years. Out of state divorces can also take longer due to the need to properly serve the other party with legal documents. If the other person lives in a different state, the process can take months to complete. In some cases, a divorce may take longer due to other legal issues such as domestic violence, spousal support, and child support matters. Depending on the complexity of the case, a divorce may take over a year to finalize.

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