Next to a loved one’s death, divorce ranks second in the list of the most stressful human events. Thus, you would not want to prolong your agony. Instead, you likely wish to get things over with as soon as possible.
While not without difficulties due to your family’s circumstances, you and your soon-to-be ex can work together to speed up the divorce process.
Acting now can expedite your divorce
The quickest way to estimate whether you need to endure your divorce for a long time is to establish what kind of situation you have. If it is an uncontested divorce or Tennessee’s agreed divorce – where you have amicably decided terms with the other party, and neither have children nor significant assets – then you may be looking at only a few months.
However, if there are heated property disputes and numerous considerations for your child’s well-being that can result in litigation, then your contested divorce may last for more months to a couple of years.
But the following are some tips to help you reduce the duration of the process:
- Prepare: A well-organized documentation, including your financial accounts or statements, insurance policies, health directives and powers of attorney, can prevent unnecessary delays. Doing so can equip your legal representative with the information they need to advance your case.
- Prioritize: Be clear about what matters most to you. Assess your goals and interests in advance. Determine which concerns you are not willing to back down on and which ones you are ready to compromise. If you have children, their best interests must always precede everything else.
- Protect: Secure your assets and be responsible for your liabilities. You must also keep your physical, mental and emotional well-being intact. The more collected your disposition is, the more you can address issues smoothly. The fewer roadblocks, the faster you can make it to the finish line.
Ultimately, you must have patience. Even after observing these recommended steps, you must still go through the mandatory waiting period, which is typically 60 days, before your scheduled court hearing. Do not lose focus during this time by taking risky or drastic measures that can only harm your case.
Finalizing your divorce means you can begin again
Regardless of whether your divorce lasts for a short or extended period, you can find comfort in knowing that it ends at some point. When it does, you can put all the pain behind and look forward to a new chapter of boundless possibilities.
