A divorce usually takes a minimum of three to four months. There is a statutory 90 day waiting period before a decree can be submitted to a judge for consideration, although that waiting period may be waived under certain circumstances. The waiting period begins on the day your spouse is served with the divorce papers. On the date that the judge signs the decree the marriage officially ends.
Most divorces take a bit longer than four months to conclude.
This is especially true if a trial becomes necessary. However, counties add a mediation fee to these statewide base fees. Attorney fees are generally charged at an hourly rate for services rendered. If the parties reach settlement promptly, the retainer may cover the cost of legal fees, in which case the unearned portion of the retainer is refunded. On the other hand, especially if court hearings are necessary, the total legal bill could be significantly more than the retainer amount.