How Long Does it Take to Get a Divorce in North Carolina?

Written by: Kaitlin Romanelli Myers, Esq.

The length of time it takes to get a divorce depends on each individual case. The first thing you should know is that North Carolina requires that spouses be separated for one (1) year before they are able to file for divorce. This means that the two spouses must be living separate and apart for a one year period of time before you are eligible for a divorce.

The general rule of thumb is, the longer you have been married, the longer it takes to get divorce. The reason is because the longer the duration of your marriage, the more likely that there will be contested issues in your case.

Issues that may potentially be contested include:

• Child custody
• Equitable distribution (property division)
• Child support
• Alimony and/or post separation support

Uncontested divorces typically take, at a minimum 30 to 60 days to finalize. Contested divorced typically take a year or more to finalize. Remember, this does not include your one year period of separation prior to filing for and finalizing your divorce.

Every divorce case is unique, meaning your specific set of facts need to be analyzed before that determination can be made. Typically, may of the contested issues can be handled with the help of an attorney before your one year period of separation is up and before you are ready to file for divorce. Schedule a consultation with a divorce attorney to discuss your specific situation and determine approximately how long your divorce case make take and what issued may be addressed before filing for a divorce. If you have a divorce matter in Asheville or the surrounding areas, you can call 828-232-4481.