How long does a divorce take in Victoria?
In Australia you must be separated for at least 12 months before you can apply for a divorce, and once you apply it usually takes a few months for the divorce order to be finalised. Sorting out property and parenting is handled separately and can take longer. Here's how the timeline works.
The 12-month separation rule
You need to have been separated for at least 12 months and one day before applying. You can be "separated under one roof" in some cases, which may need extra evidence.
After you apply
Once the application is filed and served correctly, a divorce order is typically made within a few months. The order takes effect one month and one day after it's granted.
Property and parenting are separate
The divorce only ends the marriage. Dividing property and setting parenting arrangements are separate matters that often take longer and are where most of the work is.
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Is the divorce the same as the property settlement?
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