Divorce is never easy, even in the best of circumstances. When one spouse decides to stall the divorce using one of many tactics, things can get even more complicated. There are several ways someone may try to delay a divorce.
Thankfully, you can still proceed with your divorce, even if your spouse is trying to stall. The process may take longer, and it may become more complicated, but in the end, your marriage can be dissolved with or without the other spouse’s approval or cooperation.
This guide will help you navigate the situation if your spouse attempts to delay your divorce proceedings. You’ll learn how to recognize whether that’s what is happening and respond in a way that won’t make matters worse.
How to Tell If Your Spouse Is Delaying Your Divorce
The odds are good your spouse won’t come right out and tell you that they are trying to stall your divorce proceedings. You may figure it out if you notice certain behaviors that indicate stalling. These can include:
- Failure to participate in “discovery.” This is a process in which legal counsel on both sides gets information on both spouses to help in the divorce proceedings. If your spouse refuses to provide needed information or sends your attorney on a wild goose chase, it might be a safe bet that they’re trying to stall.
- Changing their mind on negotiations. Suppose you have agreed on essential matters, such as the division of property or custody arrangements. It’s hard enough to agree the first time around. If your spouse keeps making promises and then changing the terms of your negotiation, then there is a good chance your divorce is being stalled.
- General uncooperativeness. If your spouse refuses to show up to meetings, isn’t answering phone calls, isn’t sending forms back on time, or is otherwise causing things to be held up repeatedly. There is an excellent chance that they are deliberately delaying the divorce from taking place.
Both parties need to be fully responsive and cooperative for a divorce proceeding to go smoothly. You should both be available for discussion, meetings, negotiations, and information gathering as needed. Any deliberate failure to do so indicates that your spouse may be delaying your divorce for their reasons.
Why Do People Stall Divorces?
There may be any number of reasons your spouse may be trying to stall your divorce. For starters, they may be trying to cause you frustration or pain, depending on the nature of your relationship. If things are amicable between you, they may also have trouble accepting that the marriage is over. While stalling isn’t the best way to win someone back, this is something that may be done.
In some cases, a spouse will use stall tactics as manipulation. Some people are so eager to get their spouse’s cooperation; they will give in to their demands.
What To Do If Your Spouse Is Stalling Your Divorce
If your spouse is deliberately stalling your divorce, the best thing to do is to rely on your attorney to handle things on your behalf. He will be trained at negotiating this type of situation. If your spouse continues to stall, your attorney can petition the judge to offer a ruling in your favor by default since your spouse refused to take part in the case.
You don’t have to stay married to someone you no longer wish to be married to. There are options to obtain your divorce, even if you have a spouse unwilling to cooperate. Trying to negotiate things yourself is unlikely to end with the desired results, especially since you are emotionally involved in the situation. That is one reason why hiring a trained attorney is so essential.
Choose A Tennessee Divorce Attorney You Can Trust
Divorces get messy. You need an experienced divorce attorney who is an expert in family law—someone who will help you set realistic goals—someone that you trust.
Whether you’re filing for divorce or have been served divorce papers, you may feel like your world has come crashing down around you. It’s a very vulnerable and confusing place to be in, which is why you need the best legal counsel possible to navigate all the ins and outs of divorce law.
Attorney Hunter Fowler has provided legal services to many individuals in your precise situation and will work with you through every detail of your divorce proceedings to ensure the final outcome is what you want for yourself and your family. Contact Hunter Fowler today to get the legal counsel you deserve.