Because marriage is a lifelong commitment, it is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make. Unfortunately, many marriages fail. 

When you say “I do”, divorce might not be on your mind, but it occurs every day all over the world. In South Africa, more than 25 000 couples divorce each year, according to STATS SA. About half did not make it to ten years of marriage.

Unsuccessful marriages often end in divorce. The parties can move forward with their lives as soon as the divorce is finalized. Those who divorce may choose to remarry, but how long does a divorce take in South Africa?

How Long Does a Divorce Take in South Africa?

There is just as much difficulty in deciding to divorce as in making the decision to remain married. Certain procedures must be followed when two parties decide to end their marriage. Court approval is often required to complete a divorce. Divorce is especially difficult when both parties cannot agree and when children are involved.

Divorce without a battle is the best and most cost-effective option for all parties involved. Divorces can be finalized in four weeks or less. Disputed divorces may take two or three years to resolve, but most of them settle before going to court.

How to Get Divorced in South Africa

As we’ve mentioned before, there are two types of divorce: opposed and unopposed. To initiate a divorce, you need to seek assistance from divorce attorneys. The process starts with a summons drawn up by them and issued at court. They will then try to agree on a settlement or parenting plan between parties outside of court during a meeting with both parties and their attorneys. 

As part of our service, DocAssist can help you verify your marital status in case you want to remarry after a divorce. If your status is incorrect, we can even assist you in having your status corrected. For more information, please feel free to get in touch with the team at DocAssist today!