Finalize CA divorce - spouse dragging feet?

[alandr]

I have been going through a divorce for about a year and half now and am getting tired of my spouse dragging her feet in finalizing it. I am the respondent in the case and do have an attorney that has helped me get where I am now, but at a tremendous (for me) expense. I believe everything has pretty much been settled over time, but my spouse has not returned a draft MSA in the agreed time frame (according to our last settled stipulation). It seems as if there really isn't any teeth in the stipulation at least for returning a draft MSA, so what can I do? I don't understand how the divorce process works - I'm under the impression that there is some kind of date set by the court when the process will be considered over if not settled sooner.

I am curious if I can force the divorce to be finalized on my own without even more expense, trial, etc. with my lawyer - is this possible and how would I go about this? My goal is to get it over with as soon as reasonably possible while minimizing any further lawyer expenses. On the other side, I don't want to jeopardize the progress I've made this far. If there is some kind of sunset date I don't mind waiting for that to happen, assuming my spouse doesn't withdraw her petition.

Any advice/direction appreciated!

 

[LdiJ]

I have been going through a divorce for about a year and half now and am getting tired of my spouse dragging her feet in finalizing it. I am the respondent in the case and do have an attorney that has helped me get where I am now, but at a tremendous (for me) expense. I believe everything has pretty much been settled over time, but my spouse has not returned a draft MSA in the agreed time frame (according to our last settled stipulation). It seems as if there really isn't any teeth in the stipulation at least for returning a draft MSA, so what can I do? I don't understand how the divorce process works - I'm under the impression that there is some kind of date set by the court when the process will be considered over if not settled sooner.

I am curious if I can force the divorce to be finalized on my own without even more expense, trial, etc. with my lawyer - is this possible and how would I go about this? My goal is to get it over with as soon as reasonably possible while minimizing any further lawyer expenses. On the other side, I don't want to jeopardize the progress I've made this far. If there is some kind of sunset date I don't mind waiting for that to happen, assuming my spouse doesn't withdraw her petition.

Any advice/direction appreciated!

Either there has to be an agreement in order for the divorce to be finalized, or there has to be a court hearing for the judge to decide. Have you tried talking to your spouse?

 

[stealth2]

I don't understand how the divorce process works

I think that, if you don't understand how it works and haven't educated yourself in a year and a half, you need to work with your lawyer. Really.