David Shapiro

Unfortunately, it may take many months for you to receive your Judgment of Divorce from the court once the paperwork is complete and submitted. As eager as you may be to move on, there’s really no way to speed up the process, so think of this period as an opportunity to take stock of things and … [Read more...] about How Long Does It Take For The Judge To Sign The Divorce Documents Once Submitted?

In any divorce action, you are required to provide detailed financial information to the court to ensure that marital assets and debts are distributed equitably. In a contested divorce action, both parties have the right to a discovery process, which allows both legal teams to gather information … [Read more...] about Why Do I Have To Provide My Pay Stubs, Financial Statements, And Discovery Demands?

No, although an inquest means the court is prepared to hear arguments and reach decisions related to equitable distribution, support, and the rest of the items that will comprise the final settlement. There’s still a lot of paperwork that has to be processed prior to the court mailing you the … [Read more...] about After The Inquest, Am I Divorced? What Are The Next Steps?

In an uncontested divorce, you shouldn’t have to make any court appearances. If your spouse is telling you that they’ve advised their attorneys to negotiate a settlement but you’ve received a summons for a court appearance, there are good odds your spouse is not being truthful. Protect … [Read more...] about Why Do We Need To Schedule A Court Appearance If My Spouse Says He/She Will Advise Their Attorney For Possible Settlement?

It depends on whether the divorce is being contested or not. In an uncontested divorce action, you will receive a signed Affidavit of Defendant from your spouse. If you do not receive the Affidavit of Defendant, or another response from your spouse, within 40 days, this may be grounds for a … [Read more...] about My Spouse Was Served And Responded. What Happens Now?

Once served, your spouse has 20 days to respond. Failure to respond means that the court is likely to award your divorce along the lines of the settlement you offer. This is called a Default Divorce, and is sometimes used as a low-cost option for couples who believe they can negotiate the … [Read more...] about What If My Spouse Doesn’t Respond? What Is A Default Divorce?