What You Need To Know About Divorce Law

Divorce is something that many couples decide on after growing apart or dealing with other life changes. Divorces run the gamut from hotly contested to completely uncontested and peaceful. Chances are high that your divorce falls somewhere in between these two extremes. No matter the nature of your separation with your partner, it's essential to be familiar with divorce law before starting the divorce process. Here are three things that you need to know about divorce law.

Laws Vary Depending On Location

The first thing that you need to know about divorce law is that it varies from one state to the next. You may be surprised by how much easier or more difficult it can be to divorce in certain states. Knowing the divorce laws in your state of residence is essential before starting the process. Residency requirements are one of the most important things to look into before filing for divorce. Some states have a minimum amount of time where you need to reside in that state to be able to file for divorce. If you and your spouse live in different states, usually the one who files for divorce first will determine which state the divorce will occur in.

Divorce Takes Time

While most couples want to be divorced as soon as possible, in most cases, it's not that easy. It can take a significant amount of time to split assets and decide on child custody arrangements if you have children. Some states have waiting periods that you must observe before the divorce is finalized. The less you disagree during your divorce, the faster and smoother it will go through. The average divorce takes around one year. Uncontested divorces average out to only eight months, while contested divorces take an average of 18 months.

A Lawyer Can Help

While you don't necessarily need a divorce lawyer, they do come in handy. A divorce lawyer will help you navigate the sometimes complicated process of filing for divorce. They will help you avoid potential pitfalls that can extend the process and make it more difficult. If you are and your partner are divorcing amicably, you may even want to use the same lawyer. A typical divorce lawyer will charge around $100 per hour on the low end and $650 per hour on the high end. 

If you are going through a divorce, there are a few things that you need to know about divorce law. First, depending on where you or your partner lives, divorce laws can vary significantly. Divorce also takes time, depending on how well you and your partner agree to the terms of the divorce and the state in which you are divorcing. A divorce lawyer can help you understand divorce law and help the process of divorcing move forward. 

To learn more about divorce law, contact a lawyer.

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