According to officials and attorneys, the time it takes to completely resolve a divorce in New York is on the rise. While finalizing a divorce took three to four months in previous years, it can now take more than nine months to obtain a signed judgment. This does not take into account the time needed for divorcing parties to reach a settlement, typically anywhere from several months to two years.

Divorce lawyers say the delays are mainly being caused by layoffs and budget cuts. According to information from the New York City Bar Association, the state judiciary lost approximately 1,300 employees in 2011 to layoffs and early retirement. This amounted to around 8 percent of the judiciary's total workforce. Additionally, the judiciary saw approximately $170 million cut from its budget. Lawyers in the state say the still-suffering economy has also contributed to the problem.

In one court, the cutbacks have left all contested divorce cases, many of which have numerous pages of records, to be reviewed by a single clerk. An attorney in the court system says the process of review cases was time-consuming even before the cuts.

The delays represent a serious problem for many New York residents who cannot get on with their lives while they wait for the finalization of the divorces. Divorce settlements cannot be enforced until the final divorce judgment is signed. The delays have also prevented a number of people from pursuing new marriages. For New Yorkers who are trying to move on more quickly, there are options, such as mediation, which could help speed the process up, but couples need to be willing to work amicably toward a settlement.

Source: SILive.com, "Getting a divorce? Better not be in a hurry," Frank Donnelly, Jan. 22, 2012