How delaying divorce proceedings can affect you
Separating from your spouse is a difficult decision to make. Once this decision has been made and the process started, it will feel like there is a never-ending list of things to do before you can move on with the rest of your life.
Unfortunately, delays are common. This can be due to a number of factors, ie., forms not being filled out correctly, disagreement with your spouse as to how the assets are to be split, your spouse dragging their heels or sometimes due to the Court itself not processing the documents in a timely manner.
Your health
Delaying a divorce can have a significant impact on your health and the gap between you and your partner can grow bigger. Dealing with a divorce can be exhausting and emotional and it can affect a person’s mental health and well being. This can affect not just the husband and wife, but also friends, family and, most importantly, the children.
Moving on
There is a risk that you or your partner finds a new love interest during your divorce procedure. These relationships can be harmful for the divorce procedure with new partners getting involved and not necessarily having a biased opinion. It should be noted, however, that it is advisable not to plan any wedding day before you have the divorce in progress. You will not be able to get remarried until your Decree Absolute has been granted.
You may find your perfect home to start anew, but if you are reliant on the funds from the sale of your marital home, a delay could mean the marital home cannot be sold quickly enough to enable you to purchase the new home resulting in you missing out on your new purchase.
Delaying is costly
If you can agree a fixed fee with your Solicitor for your divorce, you are assured how much you will pay for the divorce itself. However, financial agreements and any matter regarding the children of the family are likely to be charged for on an hourly basis with regards to taking your instructions, negotiating with your spouse’s Solicitors, preparing paperwork and representing you in Court, if necessary. The more you can agree your joint goal with your spouse and retain some kind of harmony you may prevent Court proceedings which will result in less costs paid by you both.
At times there is little that can be done about some of the causes for the delaying of divorce proceedings – for instance, the speed Courts work at – but it is in everyone’s interest to sort out things as quickly as possible to enable you to move on with your life.
