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I want a divorce but my spouse does not

On Behalf of | Nov 8, 2019 | Uncategorized |

When you are ready to end your marriage, you hope that you can get the dissolution process over with quickly and without too much drama. Unfortunately, some Pennsylvania residents will find that, even though they are ready for divorce, their spouses are not. How is a divorce case like this handled?

Just because your spouse does not want to end the marriage does not mean you are stuck with no options to get out of the situation. You can still file for divorce. However, you may end up having to fight tooth and nail to finalize it.

When one contests a divorce

When a divorce is contested, it just means both parties are not in agreement on the dissolution terms. One spouse may object to the divorce in general or end up fighting about various issues to drag out dissolution proceedings. Such issues may include:

  • Asset division
  • Debt distribution
  • Child and spousal support
  • Custody/visitation

You can try to negotiate terms with your spouse without having to go to court. Your legal counsel can help you with this, or you may try an alternative dispute resolution method — such as mediation. If negotiations fail, you can take your case to court.

What if my spouse flat out refuses to participate in divorce proceedings?

If you find this is the case, do not lose hope. The state of Pennsylvania will allow you to plead no-fault or fault in order to get your divorce finalized. If you go this route, your spouse does not have to respond. You just have to complete a waiting period before the conclusion of your case.

Cost and time

Obviously, the longer a divorce case takes to complete, the more it will cost. Legal counsel can help you get through it as fast as humanly possible, despite your spouse’s objections. As far as time goes, there is no standard for how long the dissolution process will take. Every case is different. Some people can get through the divorce process in a few months, while for others, it may take years.

You can get through this

When you just want out of your relationship but your spouse is fighting you at every turn or is refusing to take part in the divorce process, it can be easy to start feeling defeated. With the right help, you can get through this so that you can move on with your life.

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