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The Global Insight

How long can my ex drag out a divorce?

Author

John Hall

Updated on March 13, 2026

After the judge signs your order, you must wait a total of 90 days from the date you filed the petition or from the date you served the petition before a judge is able to sign your divorce papers. And even then, your divorce may drag beyond the 90 days.

Can a divorce go on forever?

California law (Family Code Section 4336(a)) says that where a marriage is “of long duration,” the court “retains jurisdiction” indefinitely after the divorce is completed, unless the spouses agree otherwise. The order also ends the court’s jurisdiction after three years.

Is there a time limit on divorce settlement?

While California has a six-month waiting period for divorces, your case will not necessarily be resolved within six months. The California divorce timeline for simple cases can often be finished in less than six months, while complicated cases could take several years to complete.

Is divorce automatic after 5 years?

It is a myth that you can get a divorce after 5 years of separation without your spouse being involved. But that’s not true as you cannot simply divorce without their knowledge, regardless of what you or they said before separating. You still must show to the court you have done your utmost to find them.

Why would someone drag out a divorce?

They hope to pressure the other spouse into agreeing to their terms. They want to obtain the majority of marital assets out of fear of financial instability. The spouse’s family or new partner influenced them to stall the divorce because they disagreed with the terms of the settlement.

Can my ex wife claim anything after divorce?

You can still file for benefits based on their record regardless of their marital status, so long as you remain single. If a person has multiple ex-spouses, they’re all allowed to claim based on the spouse’s record.

Why is my divorce case taking so long?

A spouse who views divorce as a zero-sum game is almost invariably going to be disappointed in the outcome. And lawyers who adopt a “take no prisoners” approach to divorce are doing their clients a disservice. Another factor that causes a divorce to drag on is the combative attitude of a spouse or attorney.

How to resolve property division issues after divorce?

There are several ways to resolve post-divorce issues. First, you may want to try working things out directly with your ex-spouse. If that goes nowhere, your lawyer may be able to settle the problem by sending a few letters to your ex. You may also suggest mediation.

Do You Love Your Ex after a divorce?

No matter what you think of your ex, you love your children and want to be a good parent. In a divorce, your kids need you and your ex to co-parent them as well as possible.

How long does it take to file a divorce complaint?

For example, once a spouse files the divorce petition (complaint), there’s a period of about 30 days (depending on your court’s rules) within which the other spouse can file a response. After that, there’s a period of divorce discovery, where you and your spouse exchange financial documentation and other pertinent information related to your case.