For those who have filed, how long?

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2006
For those who have filed, how long?
8
Tue, 01-23-2007 - 9:36am

I'm starting to wonder about how long this is supposed to take. I called a lawyer when H and I first separated. She got me in immediately for a consultation. After a few weeks of thought, I decided to file for divorce. She couldn't get me in until February and never returned any of my phone calls.

Angry, I called a different lawyer, told him my problem, and he got me in immediately for a consultation. Everything went very well. He told me he would do up the paperwork, I'll pay the retainer, he'll research child support and then I will file. That was two weeks ago.

I left him an email last week and got no response. I called him yesterday and he finally called me back and explained that his practise is partnering with another and that he'd basically forgotten me in the confusion. He told me he'd get the paperwork out in the mail today. I should get it by Wednesday.

I'm hoping he includes papers for filing for divorce, but I don't think that's what he'll send. I only expect the agreement for hiring him.

Is this typical? How can they both get me in for a consultation right away, then blow me off? I really don't want to drag this out anymore. It's been two months and nothing has happened yet. I want custody secured, support started and the divorce filed! Does it always take this long just to get started???

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-15-2005
Tue, 01-23-2007 - 11:06am

Hang in there...

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-26-2006
Tue, 01-23-2007 - 1:06pm
You can get temporary things set in place first.
I've been seperated for 14 months and still waiting (but he is dragging it out). I hear about a year is the norm for finalization.
Amie Choiniere Office Manager~Mom~Domestic Goddess~Student~Wine Lover~Girlfriend~Gardener~Decorator~Vinyl Wall Lettering Queen!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2006
Tue, 01-23-2007 - 4:20pm
I would find a new attorney if you don't get better response. Mine was great. X moved out in Sept. After 3 grueling months of mediation we had an agreement, my attorney drew up the papers in a day, filed and 20 days later it was final.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2005
Tue, 01-23-2007 - 6:36pm
If you don't receive something in the mail by this weekend from the atty, I would consult another atty. My divorce was filed in July '05, but it's still not final because he is holding it up. We have a final court date on 3/13, at which point I hope it's all done. The process takes time. It will be a shorter process if you two can agree to everything, but if one person is bitter then he/she can hold up the process to spite the other -- and that's exactly what has happened in my case. Hang in there. Bel
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-09-2006
Sun, 01-28-2007 - 1:52pm
If you don't get anything from your lawyer in the next week, find a new one. I filed the beginning of August '06, and have just now gotten a date for the preliminary hearing next month. But everything was filed with the court within a week. STBX would not get a lawyer and is making it drag out and get messy. Not to mention the fact in PA that it takes 90 days once an agreement is settled upon. The norm that I've heard is about a year from when the ball starts rolling. Hang in there...it can be a very long, drawn out process depending on how your STBX handles things.




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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2006
Mon, 01-29-2007 - 10:26am

90 days from the filing? Or 90 days from the settlement?

Oy... I think I'm gonna be sick.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-10-1999
Mon, 01-29-2007 - 2:27pm
my situation was a little different because I filed my own paperwork (my divorce was uncontested), once I filed I had a 60 day waiting period before it was final...the waiting period is per state so you would have to check into your own laws, but it seems to me that you got 2 crappy lawers, if you are anxious, call and get someone else!

Cheers,


Ruthann

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-05-2005
Mon, 01-29-2007 - 9:25pm
My lawyer is filing on Friday as soon as I pay for it. She said we will go for temp orders in two weeks and it will be final 60 days after we file. If you don't get a response see someone else.

 

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