If your marriage is ending soon, you may have concerns about how long the divorce will take. The duration of your divorce will depend on how amicable you are with your spouse, but contrary to popular belief, divorce does not need to take forever.
The truth is, a quick and easy divorce is possible. You do not need to spend months or years through an agonizing legal battle. If you choose to get a collaborative divorce or go through mediation, you can get through the process much faster than through traditional litigation. Follow these tips if you want to end your marriage as quickly and painlessly as possible.
1. Talk before you file
If you serve your spouse with divorce papers with no warning, chances are the divorce will not go smoothly. Filing for divorce without warning usually results in animosity. If you know a divorce is coming, discuss these issues with your spouse beforehand:
- Property division
- Child custody or visitation
- Child support
- Spousal support
You can try your best to see eye-to-eye on these topics before you begin the process.
2. Forget about winning
Getting a divorce does not need to be a competition. You do not need to get everything you want. If you give up the thought of coming out on top, you can get through your breakup much faster. While you should defend your interests, do not assume it is a winner-takes-all scenario. Compromising will lead to a quicker divorce.
3. Try mediation
If you are able to have respectful conversations with your spouse and are willing to compromise, you should give mediation a try before you take your divorce to court. Mediation may allow you to resolve your divorce within weeks instead of months or years. Because it is faster, it is usually also cheaper.
Do not believe that divorce needs to be lengthy and expensive. Consider these alternatives to litigation.
