How Long Does It Take to Get Divorced?
Quick Answer
6–12 months on average. Uncontested divorces can finalize in 6 weeks to 6 months; contested cases take 12–18+ months.
Typical Duration
Quick Answer
The average divorce in the US takes about 11 months from filing to finalization. Uncontested divorces (where both parties agree) can be completed in as little as 6 weeks, while contested divorces involving custody disputes or complex assets often take 12–18 months or longer.
Duration by Type of Divorce
| Type | Timeline | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Uncontested (no disputes) | 6 weeks – 6 months | $300–$5,000 |
| Mediated (with mediator) | 3–6 months | $3,000–$10,000 |
| Collaborative (with attorneys) | 3–9 months | $5,000–$25,000 |
| Contested (court decides) | 12–18+ months | $15,000–$100,000+ |
| Default (spouse doesn’t respond) | 2–4 months | $300–$2,000 |
Divorce Timeline Step by Step
| Step | Timeframe | Details |
|---|---|---|
| File petition | Day 1 | One spouse files with the county court |
| Serve spouse | 1–4 weeks | Other spouse officially notified |
| Response period | 20–30 days | Respondent files answer |
| Mandatory waiting period | 0–6 months | Varies by state (see below) |
| Discovery & negotiation | 1–6 months | Exchange financial info; negotiate terms |
| Mediation (if needed) | 1–3 months | Court-ordered or voluntary |
| Trial (if contested) | 1–3 days + scheduling | Can add 6–12 months for court availability |
| Final judgment | After waiting period | Judge signs divorce decree |
State Waiting Periods
| Waiting Period | States |
|---|---|
| No waiting period | Alaska, Georgia, Montana, South Dakota, and others |
| 30 days | Arizona, Colorado, Texas, and others |
| 60 days | Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, and others |
| 90 days | Connecticut, Utah, Vermont, and others |
| 6 months | California (longest mandatory wait) |
Factors That Affect Duration
- Agreement level: The single biggest factor. Agreeing on everything before filing can cut the process to weeks.
- Children: Custody, visitation, and child support disputes add significant time.
- Assets: Complex property, businesses, retirement accounts, and debt division extend negotiations.
- State laws: Waiting periods and court backlogs vary widely.
- Attorney cooperation: Adversarial attorneys prolong proceedings; collaborative approaches are faster.
- Court calendar: Busy jurisdictions may schedule trials months out.
How to Speed Up the Process
- Agree on major issues (property, custody, support) before filing.
- Consider mediation instead of litigation.
- Use an online divorce service for uncontested cases.
- File in a state with no mandatory waiting period (if you meet residency requirements).
- Respond to all court deadlines promptly.
- Organize financial documents early (tax returns, bank statements, property records).
Impact on Related Timelines
| Item | When It Happens |
|---|---|
| Name change | At final judgment or after |
| Property transfer | Per divorce decree terms |
| Remarriage eligibility | Immediately after decree in most states; some have 30–90 day waiting periods |
| Tax filing status change | Based on status as of December 31 of that year |
| Credit impact | Indirect – through debt division and account closures |
Pro Tips
Agreeing on property, custody, and support before filing is the single biggest way to shorten the process—it can cut the timeline to weeks.
— FindLaw
Choose mediation over litigation when possible; it is typically faster and far cheaper than a contested court battle.
— LegalZoom
Organize financial documents early—tax returns, bank statements, and property records—to avoid delays during discovery and negotiation.
— Lawyers.com
Quick Facts
The average U.S. divorce takes about 11 months from filing to finalization.
Source: FindLaw
Uncontested divorces where both parties agree can finalize in as little as 6 weeks, while contested cases often run 12–18+ months.
Source: LegalZoom
Mandatory waiting periods vary widely by state—from none in states like Alaska and Georgia to a 6-month wait in California.
Source: FindLaw