Does it matter who files first in a divorce case?

Does it matter who files first in a divorce case?

If you file first, you control when the divorce gets filed. You have until your spouse files an answer to your complaint to cancel the divorce. By filing first you are the plaintiff and she will be the defendant. At trial, if your divorce case goes that far, you would go first.

Does an uncontested divorce go before a judge?

Marital settlement agreements can be entered into at any time before the final judgment. If the divorce is uncontested and a marital settlement agreement is filed, the spouses may not need to go to court. In that case, all legal documents can be filed with the court, and the judgment can be sent to you.

How long does a judge take to sign a divorce decree?

Once the papers have been filed with the court, the question, "How long does an uncontested divorce take?" is completely out of the parties' hands. The amount of time it will take to finalize the divorce by having a judge approve and sign the judgment can take anywhere from six weeks to 12 months.

Do I have to sign the divorce decree?

If both parties are signing the Decree: The Decree of Divorce must include all of the agreements between you and your spouse. You both must sign the Decree of Divorce. If there was a hearing or trial: Everything in your proposed Decree of Divorce must match everything the judge ordered at your hearing.