Divorce is difficult even when the parties agree to the split, but in many cases, emotional issues can lead to extremely contentious court battles.
Even though stalling tactics lead to greater stress and higher legal fees for both parties, many spouses still attempt to delay or extend divorce proceedings.
Reasons for delaying the divorce
A few of the most common motives for prolonging a divorce include:
- Unwillingness to end the marriage
- Concerns about child support, custody and visitation
- Fear of losing financial stability
- Punishment or revenge for events that occurred during the marriage
If these issues arise in your case, it could be because your spouse feels helpless and wants to gain control over the situation.
Common delay tactics
Uncooperative parties to a divorce may implement several strategies to hinder the progress of a case. If your spouse refuses communication, avoids process servers or changes lawyers frequently, you may start to feel trapped in the marriage. Other stalling tactics include filing frivolous motions, rescheduling court hearings and not cooperating during divorce mediation.
How courts handle noncompliance
Judges are astute to the obstructive practices of recalcitrant participants, and they will impose penalties for these behaviors. Not only can the court compel your spouse to participate in depositions, hearings and mediation, but they can also issue default judgments when your spouse refuses to take part in proceedings.
You should not have to stay married to someone if you do not want to. By recognizing stall tactics and knowing how to address them, you can gain momentum toward finalizing your divorce and moving on with your life.