If you’re filing for online divorce in New Jersey, the Divorce Center makes the process fast and simple. We’ll help you set your expectations for how long the process should take.

Average Time for Divorce Filing

According to statistics on divorce, the average contested divorce takes between nine months and a year to complete. However, in an amicable divorce where both parties agree it’s the right course of action, the process can move faster. In this case, your divorce can take as little as six weeks, but depending on other factors, you may wait up to six months once you file.

Factors That Delay a Divorce

While you may complete your divorce in a matter of weeks, the following factors could delay the process.

Residency

For divorce in New Jersey, one spouse must have maintained residency for at least a year unless the cause for divorce includes adultery. New York imposes a two-year residency requirement, but certain situations may reduce the period to one year. 

Disagreements

How long does it take to complete a divorce if both parties agree? Even if you and your ex agree you need a divorce, you may not agree on every aspect, like how you divide your assets or how you split custody and time with your children.

If you’re still on good terms with your former spouse, you’ll likely work through these issues without wasting too much time. If you’re still having trouble deciding important issues, consider hiring a mediator to help.

Court Availability

Because the process requires scheduling at least one court date, you’re subject to the court’s schedule. This date often occurs as a formality, and you can complete it virtually. 

However, if you have to attend an in-person date because you still disagree on a few details, you may have a harder time scheduling. This can feel frustrating because of the lack of control you have. Consider using this delay as leverage to negotiate with your ex and come to a mutually beneficial agreement that doesn’t require court intervention.

Significant Assets

If both parties share significant assets, deciding how to divide them may require significant time, even if you both agree on many items. New Jersey requires equitable asset splitting (rather than equal), which means the judge will take into account factors like employability, spending habits, education, and more. With a large number of assets and factors at play, this can require some fine-tuning to reach a fair settlement.

File for Uncontested Divorce With the Divorce Center

How long does it take to complete a divorce if both parties agree? One of the benefits of uncontested divorce includes the faster completion time. At the Divorce Center, we’ll take you through every step of the process, including the summons and complaint, preliminary conference, and affidavit of service.

To learn more in New Jersey, call 1-800-762-3111.