A typical Wisconsin divorce takes six months to one year to finalize. After you file for divorce and papers are served, there’s a mandatory 120-day waiting period before the final hearing. A standard Wisconsin divorce may take up to one year or more to finalize due to disagreements or scheduling issues.
While a divorce usually takes six months to a year, the exact length depends on the specifics of the case. If there are contested issues that come up over the course of the negotiation, finalizing could be delayed for months or even years while the divorcing parties come to an agreement.
How Long Does It Take to File Divorce Papers?
Wisconsin is a no-fault divorce state, which means it only takes one person to file for divorce. And it means the only reason you need for a divorce is if you believe the marriage is irretrievably broken. To get a divorce in Wisconsin, the first step is to file a Summons and Petition for Divorce in the county where you reside. The 120-day waiting period starts when the other party, your spouse, is served with the completed paperwork.
If you and your spouse live in different counties, it is important to contact an attorney like one from Sterling Lawyers to protect against jurisdictional issues. If a county court does not have the correct jurisdiction for the case, the case will be dismissed. It is generally in your best interest to contact an attorney either way because attorneys make the process much smoother and can advocate effectively for you.
The mandatory waiting period is 120 days, and it's sometimes referred to as the “cooling off period.” This time ensures that each person will make rational decisions during this emotional, life-changing event. It's important to understand that 120 days is the shortest amount of time that a divorce can take place. The 120-day waiting period can be waived by the court during extreme situations such as health, safety, or emergency reasons.[1]
How Long Does It Take to Finalize a Divorce in Wisconsin?
In order to finalize a divorce in Wisconsin, there must be a marital settlement agreement on file that has been signed and agreed upon by both spouses, financial disclosure statements completed by both spouses and filed with the court, and any court-mandated mediation or parenting classes must be completed.
Depending on the situation, finalizing a divorce can take anywhere from six months to one year. If there are issues that come up in a case, this time frame could lengthen.
How Long Does an Uncontested Divorce Take?
A divorce is considered uncontested when both spouses are choosing to amicably end their marriage. This means that there are no disputes on issues such as marital property, support, or child custody/placement. Both spouses must also comply with the divorce action.
This type of divorce streamlines the process and could lead to the divorce being finalized as soon as the 120-day “cooling off” period ends.
How Long Does Divorce Mediation Take?
Divorce mediation can be ordered by the court, particularly for spouses with children, to peacefully work through any disagreements that arise during the divorce action. This will take place during the 120-day waiting period and requires the spouses to attend between 2-5 sessions with a mediator in order to reach an agreement on all legal aspects of the divorce.
There is also the option of divorce mediation where you look to settle your issues outside of the court. This is where a third-party mediator helps you and the other party find a middle ground. A lot of people like this method because eventually, if you can't agree on what to do, the court decides for you.
How Long Does a Divorce with Children Take?
If you are filing for a divorce and you have children, your divorce could take longer. The factor of children adds another set of issues that need to be figured out and agreed on. There will be negotiations on child support, custody, and child placement. These are often really hard to figure out because both parties usually have very strong opinions on how they want things to look.
It's important to realize that the court will always consider what is in the best interest of the child. In general, unless there is sufficient evidence that supports child abuse, domestic violence, or alcohol/drug abuse, there is a presumption that parents will share joint legal custody. This is to maintain the relationship the child has with each of their parents.
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