BlogDivorce ProcessBy Michelle Leisen, CFP®, CDFA®
Divorce Smart LLC
One of the first questions people ask is:
"How long will my divorce take?"
The honest answer is:
It depends on the divorce process you choose.
Many people assume that filing for divorce is the first step. In Minnesota, that's often not the case.
If you choose mediation, collaborative divorce, or many Pro Se divorce processes, most of the important decisions are made before any court paperwork is filed. By the time documents are submitted to the court, you've often already reached agreements regarding your finances, children, and property.
Traditional litigation follows a very different path.
Understanding these differences can help you choose the process that best fits your family, your goals, and your timeline.
Although every family is unique, these are typical timelines.
Pro Se (complete agreement) 1–3 months
Mediation. 3–6 months
Collaborative Divorce. 4–8 months
Traditional Litigation. 12–24+ months
The timeline depends much more on how decisions are made than on the county where your divorce is filed.
For many couples, mediation offers one of the most efficient and cost-effective paths to divorce.
Rather than filing first and negotiating later, couples typically work through all of the major decisions before filing with the court.
The process usually begins with an informational consultation.
During this meeting, you'll discuss:
Both spouses gather information such as:
Complete financial transparency helps the mediation process move more efficiently.
Over several meetings, couples work together to reach agreements regarding:
Every couple moves at a different pace, but many complete mediation within three to six months.
Once agreements have been reached, the necessary legal documents are prepared.
Depending on your situation, these may include:
Only after the agreements have been finalized are the documents filed with the Minnesota District Court.
Because the difficult decisions have already been made, the filing process is generally straightforward.
The court reviews the paperwork and, once approved, issues the Judgment and Decree that legally ends the marriage.
Many uncontested cases are finalized without either spouse appearing before a judge.
Collaborative Divorce is another process where negotiations happen before court involvement.
Each spouse has their own collaboratively trained attorney, and the parties commit to resolving issues outside of court.
The typical process includes:
Collaborative Divorce often takes between four and eight months depending on the complexity of the issues.
"Pro Se" means the spouses represent themselves rather than hiring attorneys.
Many Minnesota couples who have already reached agreements—or who work with a mediator—choose this approach.
A typical Pro Se timeline includes:
For couples who agree on all major issues, this can be one of the quickest ways to complete a divorce.
Litigation follows a different sequence.
Court involvement begins almost immediately.
A typical litigated divorce includes:
Because court schedules and formal discovery are involved, litigated divorces often take a year or longer.
Whether your divorce is filed in Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota, Washington, Scott, or Carver County, the court process is generally similar.
While scheduling and judicial caseloads vary somewhat by county, the largest factor affecting your timeline is usually the process you choose and how quickly agreements are reached, not the county itself.
Even couples with the best intentions may encounter delays.
Common reasons include:
Couples often experience a smoother process when they:
No.
Many Minnesota couples complete mediation first and file with the court only after reaching full agreements.
No.
Collaborative Divorce is designed to help spouses negotiate and resolve issues before filing the final legal documents.
Often, yes.
Because couples work together to reach agreements without relying on court hearings to resolve disputes, mediation is frequently completed in significantly less time than traditional litigation.
Many uncontested Minnesota divorces are finalized without either spouse appearing before a judge.
For couples who agree on all major issues, a Pro Se divorce or mediation can often be completed much more quickly than traditional litigation.
No two divorces are exactly alike, and every family's situation is unique.
The good news is that many Minnesota couples are able to resolve their divorce through mediation, collaborative divorce, or a Pro Se process without spending years in court. By gathering information early, communicating openly, and working toward practical solutions, couples often move through the process more efficiently and with less stress.
Understanding your options before you begin can help you choose the path that best fits your family's needs and your goals for the future.
Check the background of your financial professional on FINRA's BrokerCheck. The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation.
