How Long Will My Divorce Take?

When you’re ready to move on to the next chapter in your life, it’s only natural to want to know how long your divorce will take to complete.

You may be able to get a divorce judgment completed in as little as two to eight weeks if you’re working with an Edmonton divorce lawyer and both parties agree to proceed amicably with a joint divorce. However, it’s not always that easy.

Keep reading to learn what you can expect if you’re preparing for a divorce in Edmonton.

A Closer Look at Joint Divorce

Joint divorces can save you time and money if you and your spouse can work cordially together during the process. Both parties will need to be willing to sign divorce documents. However, there are some finer points to know about joint divorce in Alberta:

• Both parties must be willing to sign all divorce-related documents throughout the full divorce process
• Signing the initial divorce documents won’t be enough
• You will need to take a different legal avenue if one spouse changes his or her mind after the initial documents have been signed

Has your spouse changed their mind after initially agreeing to a joint divorce? It is essential that you get a divorce lawyer working on your side immediately. The team at Capital City Law will be happy to provide you with a free consultation.  Contact us today to get started.

What Happens If One Party Is Seeking a Divorce?

The document that opens up a new court file is called a statement of claim. A statement of claim is one party’s way of letting the other party know that they are filing for a divorce.  It must be given personally (“served”) to the other party.  The party being served has 20 days to create a response.

You may be able to complete your divorce in two to eight weeks if no reply is given. You will also be on the fast track if the other party provides their consent.

What If There Is a Disagreement That Needs to Be Solved?

It is not unusual to expect that one or both parties may bring up disagreements that need to be resolved before the divorce process can move forward. Child custody, asset division and more can all be very sensitive topics that require negotiations.

The fact of the matter is that the way the parties decide to resolve any potential disagreements will ultimately determine how long a divorce will take to be completed.

You can expect a timeline of a few weeks if you decide to go the route of mediation to resolve your issue or disagreement. It could take four to eight months if you end up bringing your issue to special chambers or judicial dispute resolution (JDR).

What If a Divorce Goes to Trial?

The trial process is the lengthiest avenue when it comes to divorce. It is imperative that you work with an experienced divorce lawyer if you believe this might be the route that you’ll be taking. There will be many details and deadlines to consider if you go through the trial process.

How Long After a Judgment Is a Divorce Finalized?

Receiving your divorce judgment doesn’t mean that you’re completely done just yet. It takes 31 days for a divorce to be final following when a judgment is signed. You can then get a divorce certificate which confirms that you are officially divorced.

Every Timeline for Divorce Is Different

Many different factors go into determining how long the process of finalizing a divorce can take. Income, assets, family life, custody and the contributing factors behind a divorce can all play roles in determining whether a divorce can be worked out jointly or if the trial process will be necessary.

It is important to discuss your divorce case with an Edmonton divorce lawyer before taking another step.

Are You Looking for an Experienced Divorce Lawyer?

Seeking a divorce lawyer in Edmonton is the first step you should be taking if you’re about to initiate or participate in the divorce process. Capital City Law is an Edmonton law firm focused on delivering professional advice and legal help with family law matters. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have regarding your rights and options. That includes:

• How to establish grounds for divorce.
• How to handle child custody and access if children are involved.
• What to do if you can’t locate your spouse.
• How to gather the essential paperwork and records.
• How to make claims for property and assets.

Rest assured that Capital City Law will treat your case with the attention it deserves and provide you with personalized legal services. We’d like to provide you with a free consultation with one of our family lawyers.

Call (780) 462-4321 or contact our law office online today to get started.