Divorce is not pleasant. Divorcing couples are often angry, resentful, stressed and fearful of the unknown. The longer the process takes, the longer these feelings drag out. Moreover, the process grows increasingly expensive as time goes on. While there is no standard time frame by which a divorce must be completed, courts will provide certain parameters and deadlines during the process. Still, this does not equate to a hard and fast time limit. What litigants need to know is that there are things they can do to expedite the progression. Here are 7 tips for those seeking to do what they can in their power to divorce as quickly as possible:

1. Manage your divorce. Pay attention to deadlines. Produce documents in discovery that are requested of you. Don't dwell on the past. Taking a proactive approach will keep the process rolling and move you to completion faster.

2. Keep your children's best interest at the forefront of your decisions. This sounds like a no-brainer, but it oftentimes means making sacrifices so your children could have a fulfilling relationship with your ex-spouse.

3. Take pettiness out of the equation. Don't spend countless dollars and time fighting over dividing your bedroom furniture. By the time you are done, you would have been able to purchase a brand new set with what you incurred in legal fees.

4. Do not flaunt your new girlfriend/boyfriend. You are not expected to be single forever, but these situations tend to hit a nerve. Be mindful of the effect this could have on the process. Some exes get very upset that the other spouse has moved on with someone else and will inevitably do all they can to make their ex's life more difficult (e.g. delaying the divorce process).

5. Consider mediation. If you and your spouse can not agree to all of the terms of your divorce, consider an attempt to resolve the case outside of court through mediation. Mediation allows a third party, who represents neither you nor your spouse, to help you and your spouse resolve your case by resolving your disagreements.

6. Set realistic expectations. No matter how badly you want to move forward with your life, you should not accept an unfavorable settlement in order to do so. Some divorces simply take time. This may be difficult to hear, but giving things time is often a better solution than forcing a resolution early on.

7. Consult an Attorney. Even the easiest divorces can be emotionally and legally complicated. An experienced divorce lawyer will be able to advise you on the legal requirements for finalizing your divorce and help expedite the process.

Every case is different. Nonetheless, adhering to these principles will help to ensure that you are doing everything in your power to move the process along as quickly as possible.

Call (201) 494-2800 to schedule a Free Consultation at the Law Office of Joseph A. DiPiazza, LLC.