How Long Does It Take

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2003
How Long Does It Take
4
Tue, 03-29-2005 - 11:28pm

How long is it supposed to take to get the letter back from the judge after you go to your divorce hearing. My divorce was over the first week in March. The judge said that he would send a letter with his ruling (on c/s, custody stuff, etc.) the very next week. However, it has been almost a month now, and nothing has been sent. My lawyer hasn't heard anything, and doesn't no what the hold up is either. Is this normal for it to be taking so long? My divorce is final though, right? My hearing was on the 4th....so since we went to court and did all that stuff, that was the end of it right? Or do I have to wait to sign something for the marriage to be dissolved?

This just seems to be a little weird for the judge's ruling to be taking so long. Has anyone else had this problem?

Thanks,
Kait

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-24-2005
Tue, 03-29-2005 - 11:45pm

Hey Kait -

Has your lawyer contacted the court to find out if the judge has signed off on the final papers? It sounds like either he (or you for that matter) need to contact the Family Court division and find out what the status is.

I don't know how things work in all states, but I live in New Hampshire and had my court meeting this past Monday (3/28), and I got my final papers in the mail today (3/29)!! My ex and I did a Joint Petition for Divorce, and met with a court case manager who basically just filled out the document that the judge needed to sign off on (no lawyers). If you haven't received the final papers back yet, I would call and find out what's going on. From what I was told on Monday, as long as everything was worked out during your divorce/court hearing, it should just be a matter of the judge signing off.

I'm not a lawyer, but I would say since it's your divorce, you should have every right to call the Family Court clerk's office yourself and find out what's going on. I'd say screw going through the lawyer...he's done his job already and all you need to know is if you're divorced, right? Give them a call in the morning!!!

suzq

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-06-2005
Wed, 03-30-2005 - 8:26am

I was divorced 1/18/05... I STILL Have not gotten my final papers. I'm in NY.


I'm pretty aggravated with the whole thing but I realize it's my lawyer who is taking his time. I hope things will be sent to me soon. I need to get back support and I can't do that unless I have those papers..... 4 copies of them actually...lol.


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 03-30-2005 - 8:45am

Hi Kait.... you should call the family court/court clerk and ask them if they have the signed copy and if (when) you can get a copy.


I got a copy of my decree that day before I left the court house, but with the court systems being like they are, it's quite possible it's sitting in a stack "to be copied and mailed" or just got filed without making copies to mail, but really, your attorney should follow up on this and get you the copy.... which should have been signed the same day that you were in court... so you should be divorced.


Karen ~ wildlucky4me

Karen ~ wildlucky4me ~

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Wed, 03-30-2005 - 8:53am
I didn't have to go to court for my divorce. My attorney submitted the paperwork and it was reviewed by a judge - that part of the process took almost 2 months when it was supposed to take less than 1 month. I was told that sometimes the courts get backed up. Your divorce should be final the day that the judge signed the paperwork, so if that already happened then it's final. But I agree with the posters that said to call the clerk or someone to ask what the hold up is.

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