"One of the first questions I'm asked as a divorce attorney is, "How long is this process going to take?" I'm Marshall Waller, a California certified family law specialist and managing partner of Feinberg and Waller, a California family law firm. In California, there is a mandatory six-month waiting period before a divorce can be finalized. That period begins when the divorce papers are served on the responding party or when the responding party files their first papers with the court. But the 6 months is only a minimum. It's not a guarantee. A divorce becomes final only after the judge signs the judgment and the court enters it as an order of the court.
In a straightforward, fully cooperative case where both parties are promptly transparent and they exchange financial information and reach a written settlement agreement, a divorce can realistically be concluded within this six-month period. However, complicated cases—custody disputes, big financial issues, valuation of businesses, things like that—that often takes a much longer period of time. More complex or high conflict cases can take up to a year or more, particularly if formal discovery, expert analyses, or a trial date on a crowded court calendar is required.
What can help move a case forward? Early organization, complete and transparent financial disclosures, and a willingness to consider mediation or structured settlement discussions rather than just litigating every single issue. Every case is fact specific. Every case is unique. Our role is to provide a realistic timeline, a strategic plan, and to move your case forward as efficiently as the law allows."
