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skitterpop · Mar 10, 2011, 08:34 AM

How long does it take to get a divorce in Minnesota? A friend of mine filed for divorce and 2 months later they finally got a court date/hearing for 8 months later. That's ten months from the time the filed. This doesn't seem right to me? Any input, they have been married for 8 years or so and have two children.

jakester · Mar 10, 2011, 08:51 AM

Skitter - look, it's great that you are concerned for your friend. But this is a divorce. If you don't think it is right for it to take this long, maybe you might consider what marriage is.

Many states wisely have enacted something called a cooling off period. Basically, from the time the parties file for a divorce, some states require several months before a divorce hearing date will be granted. The rationale is that perhaps in the time the parties have to wait for the divorce, they may reconsider their reasons for divorcing and perhaps reconcile. That is a good thing, if you think about it.

Now, obviously I don't know the circumstances behind your friend's divorce. But I hope that if you are a good friend that you're not encouraging a speedy divorce. You can support your friend during this tough time but you need not do investigative research into how your friend's divorce can be moved along faster. That's not your job. In fact, if they are divorcing, you should not encourage the divorce in any way... just be there for your friend. It's not your relationship to fix.

skitterpop · Mar 10, 2011, 08:54 AM

I have a friend who is going through a divorce and struggling finacially. She is having a lot of mixed feelings, guilty, angry, etc. I'm wondering if there are any free or low cost counseling she could seek?

DUKEJETT1 · Mar 11, 2011, 05:32 AM

Jakester is right on, stay out of their issue if you are going to be negative. A marriage is not like returning a dress to the store when it no longer fits you. Maybe you should think about that Lady err woman.

Fr_Chuck · Mar 11, 2011, 01:34 PM

Some divorces can take years, there is one here in Atlanta, due to fighting over property and terms have lasted 5 years.

But in a busy court schedule, with government cut backs, 8 months to get to court, sounds OK, a little long but not unheard of.

So if there is issues, their attorney can file for motions to be heard earlier if needed, custody, or child support can often be reviewed sooner if needed.