Is Your Ex Intentionally Delaying Divorce? 7 Steps to Take

Going through a divorce is not a pleasant experience. The goal most people have as they’re navigating this process is to get through it as quickly as possible and with as little trauma as possible. However, that becomes very difficult if one spouse seems intent on delaying the divorce. If this is the case with your spouse, what can you do?

1. Send Formal Notices

A common tactic your spouse could employ to delay the divorce is to stall on signing paperwork or miss mediation. If you’re dealing with this, have your lawyer send formal notices every time they disregard requests, miss appointments, or don’t reply promptly. These notices function like warnings.

2. File Motions

Warnings will help your lawyer file motions in court to force your spouse to cooperate. Once the court gets involved, not complying can mean penalties and sanctions for your soon-to-be-ex.

3. Subpoena Financial Records

It’s common for spouses looking to delay the divorce process to claim that they need more time to go over complex financial issues. They may also refuse to let you get a sense of their finances.

Your lawyer can file a subpoena to have a judge order your spouse to turn over bank statements, tax returns, business records, and more. This will help speed up the process by putting everything out in the open so all parties can negotiate effectively. It also ensures that your spouse doesn’t have any hidden assets.

4. Plan Status Conferences

Status conferences involve the court system and are check-ins that can help move the process forward. If there’s any lag, your spouse must provide explanations or risk facing penalties.

5. Deal With Allegations

Another tactic to delay proceedings is to make false accusations of addiction, abuse, infidelity, and even criminal activity. These allegations can bog down the divorce process and trigger court battles. You must prepare rebuttals for all of their claims as quickly as possible. Your lawyer can help prove that the allegations are false.

6. Pursue Bifurcation

You can separate certain issues, including dissolving your marital status, from more complex aspects of the divorce process. This allows you to finalize part of the case at least.

7. Suggest a Parenting Coordinator

If you have children, you can suggest bringing in a parenting coordinator to oversee custody disputes. This can encourage your spouse to cooperate so that they get better custody options.

Contact Family Lawyers For Help

Dealing with an uncooperative spouse who does everything possible to delay divorce proceedings can be stressful and highly frustrating. To avoid facing further court battles, you want to turn to family lawyers who have experience dealing with contentious divorces.

At Gucciardo Family Law, we have years of experience helping people through these situations. Don’t wait to get the help you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our lawyers.