During divorce, parties often have a lot of uncertainties about the process. One frequently asked question is whether the presence or absence of children in the marriage contributes to the timeline of finalizing a divorce.
A noticeable effect on the timeline
During divorce, courts and spouses cover several aspects, such as property division, alimony and child custody, each requiring a meticulous review. Notably, child custody and other similar decisions usually take a significant amount of time since they involve a thorough consideration of a child’s life and their best interests.
Accordingly, if a divorcing couple does not have children and is not expecting a child via pregnancy, the divorce timeline can possibly be shorter since there will be one less aspect to cover during the process.
Other factors that come into play
Nonetheless, being childless does not always mean spouses will have a quicker divorce process. While child-related matters are considered one of the most complex and time-consuming aspects of a divorce, there are several other factors that can affect the duration and complexity of the process.
For instance, if a property division involves multiple and high-value properties, the divorce period could still be the same or even longer.
Moreover, disputes between the spouses can also affect the length of the process, requiring additional court hearings or settlement negotiations for the parties to come to an agreement.
Facing divorce in its entirety
While child custody and similar matters are significant components of many divorces, they are not the sole factor that determines the length of the process. Other circumstances can also contribute to its duration and complexity. By understanding this, parties can manage their expectations about the duration of their divorce.