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How long does a divorce take in Minnesota?

On Behalf of | Jul 28, 2022 | Divorce

Living in Minnesota, there are some specific divorce laws that apply to your situation. Knowing them can help you understand how long your divorce is going to take and what to do to speed up the process, if necessary.

The first thing to know is that there isn’t a long waiting period in Minnesota. In fact, as soon as the court agrees that there has been an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, it is possible for the final decree to be entered.

That being said, most divorces don’t end that quickly. There are other factors to consider that may influence the timeline of your case.

What could increase the length of a divorce?

One of the first things that could increase the length of time a divorce takes is how long you’ve lived in Minnesota. If you and your spouse haven’t yet been in the state for 180 days, you will need to wait until at least one of you has been there for that long before you can file for divorce. Prior to that time, Minnesota’s courts may not have jurisdiction.

Some people worry that they will have to wait longer if their spouse doesn’t want the divorce. Fortunately, Minnesota has done away with defenses to divorce filings, which means that your spouse can’t stop you if you want to get a divorce. However, they can make the process longer by being unwilling to negotiate on things like alimony or your property division agreement, child custody or other topics.

That’s why having a respectful, collaborative divorce is usually the best option when it’s possible. A collaborative divorce helps minimize the risk of delays due to arguing over property division or your custody schedule, since you’ll both work together to come up with a settlement that works for both of you and that feels fair.

Get help if your divorce is delayed

Sometimes, divorces take longer than they should because of arguments or frustrations between ex-partners. It’s reasonable to look into getting support if you are having trouble with your divorce. A little legal support could help you move the case forward and save yourself time and money.

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