Going through a divorce is tough, and it often seems overwhelming. It’s exasperating when you’re ready to get going with your life, but your other half keeps slamming the brakes. If you find yourself trapped in this maddening predicament, take solace in the fact you’re not alone. A lot of folks experience snags in their divorce proceedings because their partner is sluggish, indulges in little legal shenanigans, or has hidden motives. The key is to keep your cool and bear in mind that stumbling blocks crop up for a variety of reasons.
1. Figure Out Why They Might Be Taking Their Time
Before you jump to conclusions, try to understand why your spouse is slow-walking the divorce. Several things could cause the delay such as:
• Emotional Struggle: Divorce hurts, and your spouse might stall because they can’t accept the marriage is over. They might avoid tough divorce talks, which slows everything down.
• Legal Strategy: Sometimes, one spouse might drag out the process to gain an advantage. They may hope to get a better deal on property or have more say in child custody.
• Discovery Complications: The discovery phase takes time when money or child custody gets tricky. Some issues need experts to handle the details. These may include people to value businesses, find assets, assess custody, and court-appointed amicus or ad litem lawyers.
• Money Issues: Your partner might lack the funds to hire a lawyer or start the divorce process.
• Confusion: People often hesitate because they lack clarity on the next steps or feel overwhelmed by the situation.
Couples delay splitting up for many reasons. You might think your partner is just being cruel and vindictive on purpose, but this isn’t always the case. It’s normal to feel angry or betrayed if you’re ready to move forward and your spouse is dragging their feet for reasons that appear unfair or baffling, but your partner’s behavior might stem from their own issues or emotions that have nothing to do with you. Once you wrap your head around their hang-ups for not moving ahead, you might be able to take a step back and tackle things with a clearer headspace.
2. Seek Legal Advice
If your partner is dragging their feet on the divorce, you need a divorce lawyer to back you up. An attorney can help you navigate the complex aspects of ending your marriage, protect your rights, and assist you to reach your objectives. They can give you an idea of how long your divorce might take and suggest what to do if your spouse isn’t cooperating. Here are some ways to deal with it:
• Mediation: At times, a neutral third party can assist you to iron out your differences and find middle ground when you can’t talk to each other. However, if your spouse won’t budge, this approach might not be effective.
• Filing a motion to compel: When your spouse refuses to attend mediation or share required documents, your attorney can petition the court to force their cooperation. The court has the authority to discipline those who break the rules.
Consulting with an attorney can help you understand your options and point you in the right direction. This can give you a sense of control and reduce the anxiety of waiting.
3. Get Ready for a Default Judgment if Needed
If your partner ignores the divorce or doesn’t answer legal papers, you can ask the court to give a default judgment. The court can then move ahead with your divorce without your partner’s input if they don’t respond or show up in court within a set time. Remember that default judgments might not work if your partner takes part in the case and goes to hearings.
4. Stay Organized and Keep Records of Everything
If your partner hasn’t responded or acted on divorce-related issues, you need to keep things in order. Make sure you track all communications, papers, and interactions with your partner. These records might help later if you need to show that your partner hasn’t cooperated or has caused delays.
• Keep records of emails, texts, and any written messages about the divorce.
• Note the dates of important events such as when you filed for divorce and when your spouse received the papers. These dates establish certain deadlines in your case.
5. Stay Patient, But Hold Your Ground
Divorces often drag out longer than expected when your other half digs in their heels or won’t play ball. Regardless, staying calm and giving things time to progress is essential. Certain legal deadlines will have you on standby for your spouse’s next move, and rushing them isn’t always possible, but at some point, you may need to take steps to push things forward.
Should your partner start dragging their feet, talk to your lawyer on what moves to make and the right time to crank things up a notch by filing legal papers and setting up court dates.
Conclusion
When your partner prolongs the divorce, it can challenge your patience, but you can maintain control, protect your interests, and manage your emotions. Don’t rush things; just take care of yourself. With proper support and a solid strategy, you’ll progress and create the future you desire—regardless of whether your spouse cooperates or not.