Anyone with divorce experience?

[Sylph]

A young friend filed for divorce in March of this year. I understand the final judgement can be filed after 6 months. Well, it's been over 6 months but she is living out of the country and not around to take care of this.
#1. Is there a time limit for filing the final papers? Her ex has copies and could file, but is dragging his feet. Will they have to pay the fees again and start all over or is there some leeway here?
#2. Does only one person (of the couple) need to sign the final papers?

Thanks for any help...I can't find details online.

[MsTerry]

You are purposely vague about your young friend (Daughter or son?), but if they have filed, and not contested and have neither property or money to share, they should have had their Case Management Conference.
If that went to the satisfaction of the judge, they should have received a filing of final judgment notice and after 6 months plus one day they will receive their final judgment.
You need to ask the lovebirds some questions, like did you file? when did you see the judge?


A young friend filed for divorce in March of this year. I understand the final judgement can be filed after 6 months. Well, it's been over 6 months but she is living out of the country and not around to take care of this.
#1. Is there a time limit for filing the final papers? Her ex has copies and could file, but is dragging his feet. Will they have to pay the fees again and start all over or is there some leeway here?
#2. Does only one person (of the couple) need to sign the final papers?

Thanks for any help...I can't find details online.

[Sylph]

You are purposely vague about your young friend (Daughter or son?), but if they have filed, and not contested and have neither property or money to share, they should have had their Case Management Conference.
If that went to the satisfaction of the judge, they should have received a filing of final judgment notice and after 6 months plus one day they will receive their final judgment.
You need to ask the lovebirds some questions, like did you file? when did you see the judge?

As far as I know, nothing was received by either person. I was under the impression that there was a final step that had to be taken, by at least one of the parties.

Thanks for replying!

[MsTerry]

they have had to reply to the case management, if they ignore that, or the Judge's recommendation (which sometimes includes counseling) they'll have to start all over again.
Even though rules vary from county to county, sometimes you have to sign your final judgement for your summary dissolution.


As far as I know, nothing was received by either person. I was under the impression that there was a final step that had to be taken, by at least one of the parties.

Thanks for replying!

[MsTerry]

Actually your best bet is to go down to the courthouse and pull their file and read what really happened. It's public info. I don't think they would tell their mom the whole truth anyways at this point.