When it comes to divorce, patience is a virtue
Thanks to advancements in modern technology, instant gratification has recently become the rule of the day — at least as far as goods and services are concerned. Indeed, with a decent wireless network and a just a few keystrokes, we can order virtually anything from anywhere on the planet and have it on our doorstep within forty-eight hours. Similarly, with just a few swipes of our finger, we can arrange for a ride-sharing company to pick us up virtually anywhere in only a few minutes.
As wonderful as this reality is, it’s important to understand that this is not how the law works. No matter your issue, no matter the legal area, it will likely end up taking time. By way of example, consider the always thorny issue of divorce.
In general, people arrive at the decision to pursue a divorce after careful and often painful deliberation. This reality, coupled with the appeal of finally starting a new chapter, often means that people want to proceed with their dissolution of their marriage as quickly as possible.
The reality, however, is that initiating the divorce process isn’t just a matter of filing a few documents with the court. In fact, a person must be able to satisfy a few basic requirements before they can even take this step.
First, the law dictates that at least one of the parties seeking what is known as an absolute divorce must have resided here in North Carolina for a minimum of six months before filing.
While this may not seem like too big of a hurdle, consider that North Carolina law also requires couples to have been separated for a minimum of 12 months with the intention of making this arrangement permanent. Here, the couple cannot reside under the same roof in a bid to save money.
None of this is meant to discourage, but rather to highlight how patience will be required for those seeking to end their marriage.
To learn more about the divorce process here in the Tarheel State, consider speaking with an experienced legal professional who can outline the law, explain your options and pursue solutions.
Related topics
Epperson Law Group, PLLC, is guided by a commitment to helping clients achieve favorable results in an efficient manner. Our Charlotte divorce and family law attorneys work with clients every day who face a range of divorce, custody, and other family law issues. We are equipped to help you appropriately resolve some of the most important legal matters you will ever need to address. We invite you to learn more about our team.