What are the three (3) major steps in a typical divorce?

 

A:

  1. To begin the divorce proceedings, a Bill of Complaint for Divorce is filed with the court and served to your spouse. Your spouse will have 21 days to answer this Bill of Complaint once it has been served. Your spouse can also accept service of the complaint and sign a waiver. By signing the waiver, your spouse agrees to waive the required waiting periods, thereby speeding up the divorce process.

  2. Depending on the type of divorce, a Pendente Lite hearing may be scheduled at this time. Other times, parties are ready to be heard. In that case, the Judge or a Commissioner will then hold the divorce hearing.

  3. Following the hearing and a decision in the case, the Judge will enter a Final Decree of Divorce. Each divorce is different. Therefore, some divorces may require additional steps or courses of action.