Usually, once the decision to file for divorce has been reached, one or usually both spouses want the divorce finalized as quickly as possible. They may want to put it behind them and to move forward with their lives.
Everything may be in limbo until the divorce is final. They may want to get it over quickly to make things easier for the children and their transition into a single-parent household.
The length of time that a divorce will take depends on whether the divorce is contested or uncontested. If the parties can agree on everything, including child support, child custody, property division, alimony, and division of debts, the divorce is uncontested. An uncontested divorce, once all the issues have been decided, may only take a month or two, if all of the paperwork is completed correctly.
However, if the matter is contested, and the court has to decide one or more issues, it will take a lot longer. It may take months or even a year for the case to be heard, if the court is particularly busy. If the parties can compromise, the process will be a lot quicker.
Therefore, although it can be tempting to fight tooth and nail for every penny to which you feel you are entitled in your divorce, it can be easier (and much cheaper) if you and your spouse can come to an agreement on most issues. Mediation during the divorce process can sometimes be a great help in reaching an agreement on unresolved issues. The attorneys for both parties can also help speed the process along.