A divorce is a difficult time for any couple and many want to know how long it will take before they are officially divorced after filing in Rhode Island. Uncontested divorces can take as little as seventy-five days, some being granted sooner if you qualify for expedited processing. Wait times can be longer if the court imposes a waiting period, this is when parties cannot agree or there are complex issues to be handled.

“What will impact how long a divorce takes is whether the separation is contested or not,” said John Grasso, a leading Rhode Island divorce attorney. The Rhode Island Family Court allows uncontested divorces to have their hearing approximately seventy-five days after filing. If both parties agree and there is no change of any reconciliation, they sign a waiver and can request an expedited process. This often results in the court granting an immediate divorce.”

The time it takes for a divorce to be finalized in Rhode Island is determined by numerous factors. Some require a temporary court order, this is to establish which spouse will live in the family home, which will take custody of the children, and any other separation terms. The hearings relating to these conditions are often held approximately five weeks after filing.

Divorces in Rhode Island are not final until the expiration of the waiting period that starts with the first hearing. Any divorces granted based on “irreconcilable differences,” can wait up to ninety days before being final, while those that are “separate and apart,” can wait up to twenty-one days. Any spouses that have already been living separately for three years or more can have the waiting period waivered.

John Grasso went on to say “Divorces where both spouses agree on all the divorce terms can qualify for expedited process. Spouses that are not in agreement by the hearing date, will be classified as a “contested divorce.” This means that the spouses are given a date to meet for a conference. The conference includes the spouses, attorneys, and the judge, where they can settle any unresolved problems. Once they agree, the divorce hearing is scheduled. In the event the parties cannot agree, the case then goes to court which can last months or, in some cases, a year.”

About Us: John R Grasso is an attorney admitted to practice in Rhode Island, Massachusetts. He is also admitted to the Federal District Courts. He is a member of the Bar of the United States Supreme Court and has an experienced support team working alongside him to help focus on securing a resolution in the shortest period. John Grasso represents criminal defendants on misdemeanors and felony charges throughout the area. He handles a wide range of cases daily from domestic violence cases to immigration disputes and DUI cases to robbery and so much more. To find out more, visit https://johngrassolaw.com/.