For example, once a spouse files the divorce petition (complaint), the other spouse has around 30 days (depending on your court's regulations) to file a response. Following that, there comes a period of divorce discovery, during which you and your spouse share financial papers and other relevant facts about your case. Finally, after all parties have had an opportunity to be heard, the court will issue a final judgment of divorce. The time frame mentioned above is only an estimate. It depends on many factors such as court schedules, trial dates, number of witnesses, amount of evidence to be reviewed, etc. For example, some cases can be decided at first appearance while others require a full trial. In general, most cases can be resolved through settlement conferences or mediation. These processes are designed to help parties resolve their issues without going to court. If this doesn't work, then the next step is court proceedings. During these times, your attorney will present evidence in support of your case and respond to evidence presented by your spouse's attorney. Overall, filing for divorce is an extensive process with many steps. The more information you can provide to your lawyer at the beginning of your case, the better he or she can represent you at later stages. This way, you can achieve your goals as quickly as possible while still getting the best outcome for your situation.