There are a few events in one's life that can bring about extreme stress and pain, such as the death of a loved one or divorce. The decision to get married to someone requires an investment of your time, money, and commitment. You vow to make that commitment for the rest of your life. However, certain things happen in your married life that can make you change your mind and consider the other route. Some marriages suffer from financial hardship, while in others, couples decide to part ways because of emotional distress.
Whatever drove you to decide to pursue a divorce, make sure that you have thought about it hard enough. You and your spouse should also be on the same page about the matter.
Things to Think About Before Filing a Divorce
Before you pursue a divorce, you must consider a few important things first. Can you reverse a divorce? It is one of the most common questions that you might encounter as you go through this long process. You must be sure that this is the path you would like to take if you choose to file for divorce.
Have you communicated your concerns to your spouse? Before filing for a divorce, you want to make sure that you are on the same page. You must make an effort to communicate your thoughts and concerns to them. If they are unwilling to meet you halfway, then filing for divorce is a good solution, especially if you continue to live in a hostile environment.
Have you considered other ways of saving the marriage? Divorce is not the only option available if you are having marriage troubles. It is important to seek marriage counseling first. Expert marriage counselors can help warring spouses overcome their issues and help both parties to understand each other better. It is also important that both spouses are willing and open to the idea of counseling.
Are you happier with or without your spouse? It’s a blunt question but it’s an important one to ask. A lot of people live in unhappy marriages because they work so hard to keep their spouses happy that they end up compromising their own happiness. This is a classic example of a toxic relationship, and you don’t want to be part of one.
Do you still love your spouse? Some divorce experts believe that love alone is not enough to keep you from pursuing divorce, especially if other issues cause a strain in your marriage. The feeling of love that you have for your spouse isn't something that you can automatically shut off just because you are having marital struggles.
If you think that finalizing a divorce is the hard part, you have even more stressful times ahead of you. The divorce could mean you must alter your finances and your living situation. If you have children, you must think about child custody and child support. Therefore, you should think long and hard before pursuing divorce, and only choose this route if staying in the marriage will do more harm than good.
When is Divorce Not Final?
Some couples choose to reconcile even before their divorce is finalized. Therefore, you might be asking yourself this question: can you reverse a divorce?
The answer is no. You cannot reverse a divorce, but you can halt a divorce process that hasn’t been finalized yet.
The divorce process can take a long time – from several months to years. Therefore, couples who reconcile will have an opportunity to stop the divorce process if it hasn’t yet been finalized in court.
Different divorce laws apply here depending on where you are filing for divorce. You can withdraw your divorce petition to stop the process before it is made final in court. This gives you a fair amount of time to assess your divorce decision and reverse it before the marriage dissolution is granted.
There are some rules to this process that you must follow. First off, you have to talk to your divorce attorney about what you must do, in case you have changed your mind.
You need to file a petition to the court to grant the dismissal of the divorce process. Both parties must approve the dismissal of the divorce process. Otherwise, the court will not grant the request.
The above scenario applies only when the papers have been served. If not, then you don’t need to get the other spouse to approve the dismissal of the petition, and this will automatically stop the divorce process.
Can You Reverse a Divorce Once the Settlement is Signed?
If you want to reverse a divorce, it will be easier to do that during the earlier stages of the divorce process. If you are near the end of the divorce settlement, or the settlement papers have been signed, it might be more challenging to reverse a divorce.
If the judge has signed the divorce decree, the judge's decision can be reversed within 30 days. If the petition to withdraw the divorce is filed within those 30 days, the judge can rescind their decision. If you are unable to do so within the 30 days, the judge cannot reverse their decision.
If the divorce is final and you have reconciled with your ex-spouse, you won’t be able to reverse a divorce. However, you have the option to re-marry your spouse.
How a Divorce Attorney Can Help
If you have initiated the divorce process with your spouse but you have changed your mind, a divorce attorney can help advise you on the best steps to take. They can provide you with a list of options on what to do next and how you can reverse the divorce process.
Divorce is a complex process. If this is your first time getting a divorce, it can be difficult to navigate the technicalities of the law. But with a skilled divorce lawyer, you can get the guidance you need.
You must also use this as an example of how you should consider divorce as a last resort. If you are having marital troubles, consult a marriage counselor or an expert. They can guide you toward the best direction to take in your relationship, instead of rushing into getting a divorce.