A quickie divorce is an expedited divorce process allowed in some regions. By relaxing residency requirements and giving extended powers to attorneys, certain states and countries can provide divorcing couples with a quick process that avoids the hassle of in-court battles. Typically, quickie divorces are only available in cases where both parties agree to all terms of the divorce and there are no minor children involved. Even in these cases, many legal experts recommend consulting a local attorney to ensure that the quickie process will be considered legal and valid.
Divorce can be a financially and emotionally devastating process, with some cases dragging on for years before being settled. Even in cases where there are relatively few assets and no child custody issues, divorce commonly takes months or even years to finalize. A quickie divorce can alleviate financial obligations to lawyers as well as minimize the time between filing and finalization. Some quickie cases can be finalized in less than a month, allowing the newly divorced individuals to move on with life as quickly as possible.
Only certain areas have the necessary statutes needed to grant a quickie divorce. Reno and Las Vegas, both in Nevada, are famous quickie divorce capitals. Reno offers a residency requirement of only six weeks, meaning that at least one participant in the divorce must sign legal documents or provide proof that they have been in Nevada for six weeks prior to filing papers. As long as both parties sign the legal documents agreeing to all terms for the divorce, finalization can occur in days or weeks. Countries that provide quickie divorces also include the Dominican Republic, which requires a one-day residence before papers can be filed.
In the modern era, paperwork for a quickie divorce is typically handled through email or fax. Forms can often be filled out online, and signed electronically or faxed with a signature. Check forms carefully to see if notarization is required on any documents; if so, local phone books and Internet search engines can easily turn up local public notaries who will witness the signing for a fee.
There is an established history of quickie divorce scams, suggesting that extreme caution be taken when using a fast divorce service. Do research before sending in forms or handing over financial information; many legal experts recommend checking local statutes or having at least one consultation with a lawyer to prevent being exposed to fraud. Some regions may also have laws regarding the recognition of quickie divorces; checking local and regional laws can prevent having to file for divorce twice.
A quickie divorce can be a fast way out of a failing marriage, but does entail risks such as fraud. It is typically recommended for people with little or no property, assets, or investments to divide. Although some quickie divorce regions include child custody or spousal support clauses, penalties for violating these clauses may be harder to get enforced by a regular court.
