What If I File for Divorce but then we Reconcile?
- Posted on: Dec 31 2018
Filing for divorce is often a very emotional process. You and your spouse may have fought or have discovered that you fundamentally disagree on something that seems too large to ever come to terms over. Because of this, you may have decided that divorce is your only option. But after filing the paperwork and living apart for some time, you might have realized that you’re still in love. Suddenly, whatever you were fighting or disagreeing over seems minor. You reconcile.
But you’ve already filed divorce papers. So what do you do now?
Reconciliation is Actually Fairly Common
More couples than you might think do reconcile after they’ve filed their divorce paperwork. The thing to consider, though, is whether your reconciliation is actually going to last. Have the two of you forgiven each other for anything hurtful you said or did? Have you addressed the issues that made you want to file for divorce? Have you started working towards an agreement on these issues? If not, you may find yourself filing for divorce again later on. Even if you have worked on these issues, realize that it is possible that you’ll later determine that they are irreconcilable.
How Do You Proceed?
If you’ve decided to proceed with reconciling and want to stop the divorce process, there are a few things you can do. First, you could petition the court for a continuance. This will simply postpone your court date. It will give you time for the two of you to consider whether or not you do want to continue your marriage and what it may take for that to happen.
However, the court may not necessarily grand a continuation, especially if they feel that one or both of you have ulterior motives or are trying to delay your divorce for unnecessary reasons. In that case, the two of you may need to offer a written agreement or stipulation asking for your divorce case to be put on hold for a specific amount of time. This would also suspend any temporary orders, including child support and custody arrangements, for this time.
Dismiss the Case
If you’re both certain you want to remain married, you can ask for the case to be dismissed without prejudice. This does require filing specific paperwork, of course. No matter which option you’re considering, you should work with a legal expert from the FK Law Group. We can assist you in making certain you move forward in the correct way.
Posted in: Divorce Law, Family Law, Uncategorized
