⏳💔 美國離婚流程總覽:從提出申請到完成,大約要多久?
美國離婚到底要多久?答案是:
➡️ Uncontested(協議離婚)最快:1~6 個月
➡️ Contested(爭議離婚)最久:6 個月到 1~2 年不等
雖然每個州法律不同,但整體流程非常類似。下面這一篇就是最清楚的「美國離婚流程地圖」。無論你是公民、綠卡、工作簽證、還是無證移民,都適用這一篇。
一、整體流程一覽表(最簡單版本)
- 提交離婚申請(Filing a Petition)
- 送達(Serving the Other Spouse)
- 對方回覆(Response)
- 等待期(Waiting / Cooling-off Period)
- 提交協議或進入調解(Settlement or Mediation)
- 法院審核(Court Review)
- 法官簽發離婚判決(Final Judgment)
💡 Uncontested:很多州不需開庭,全程靠文件就能完成。
二、流程詳細說明(一步一步講清楚)
1. 提交離婚申請(Filing the Petition)
不論是哪個州,離婚都從「提交 petition」開始。通常由其中一方提出。
需要準備:
- 離婚 Petition
- Marriage Certificate(結婚證書)
- 基本個人資料(不需要 SSN)
- Filing fee(約 $200~$450)
無證移民也可以提交。 家庭法院不查身份、不通報 ICE。
2. 送達對方(Service)
法律規定必須正式通知另一方你已提出離婚申請。
送達方式包括:
- 聘請 process server
- 警長辦公室(sheriff)協助
- 親自送達(部分州不允許)
對方收到後,通常有 20~30 天回覆。
3. 對方回覆(Response)
對方可以:
- 同意(uncontested)
- 不同意(contested)
- 部分同意、部分不同意
若對方「完全不回覆」:某些州會變成 default judgment(法院自動判決)。
三、等待期(Cooling-off Period)
很多州有強制等待期,尤其是加州:
- California:6 個月
- Texas:60 天
- Florida:無硬性等待期
- North Carolina:必須分居一年(最長)
這不是法院故意拖,而是州政府希望雙方冷靜思考。
四、協議、調解或議和(Settlement / Mediation)
在這個階段,雙方需要:
- 決定財產怎麼分
- 若有孩子:監護、探視、child support
- 誰保留房子?車子?現金?
若談好了 → 走 Uncontested
若談不攏 → 進入 Contested
調解(mediation)在很多州非常普遍、費用較低。
五、法院審核文件(Court Review)
Uncontested 的案件,這階段非常快:
- 審查協議是否公平
- 財產分配是否合理
- 孩子安排是否符合「最佳利益原則」
通常不用出庭(某些州會要求 Zoom 口頭確認)。
六、法官簽發最終離婚判決(Final Judgment)
這一步完成後,就正式離婚。 法院會發:
- Final Judgment
- Notice of Entry of Judgment
之後你就可以做:
- 改名字(若需要)
- 更新保險、銀行帳戶
- 重新安排財產
- 父母監護、child support 開始生效
七、無證移民流程會比較慢嗎?不會。
離婚流程與移民身份無關。
家庭法院不查身份、不連結移民系統、不會因為你是無證而拖延。
唯一需要注意的是:
- 如果需要上庭,請準時到
- 地址要能收到法院文件(可以用朋友地址)
- 律師依法不能把你的身份透露給 ICE
八、總結:多久能離婚?(最清楚的版本)
Uncontested 離婚:1~6 個月(州法律決定)
Contested 離婚:6 個月~1 年、甚至更久
下一篇我們會寫:
👉 《無證移民可以離婚嗎?家庭法院會不會查身份?》
⏳💔 U.S. Divorce Timeline: How Long Does the Process Take?
How long does divorce take in the United States? It depends on the state and whether the divorce is uncontested or contested.
➡️ Uncontested: 1–6 months
➡️ Contested: 6 months to 1–2 years
This article explains the full step-by-step timeline. It applies to citizens, green card holders, visa holders, and undocumented immigrants.
1. Overview: The U.S. Divorce Process
- Filing a Petition
- Serving the Other Spouse
- Response
- Cooling-Off / Waiting Period
- Settlement or Mediation
- Court Review
- Final Judgment
Many uncontested divorces do not require a court hearing.
2. Step-by-Step Details
1) Filing the Petition
The filing spouse submits the divorce petition along with:
- Marriage certificate
- Basic personal information (no SSN required)
- Filing fee ($200–$450)
Undocumented immigrants can file as well.
2) Serving the Other Spouse
The law requires officially notifying the other spouse.
- Process server
- Sheriff service
- Other state-approved methods
3) Response
The other spouse may:
- Agree (uncontested)
- Disagree (contested)
- Ignore (may lead to default judgment)
3. Cooling-Off / Waiting Period
- California: 6 months
- Texas: 60 days
- Florida: none
- North Carolina: 1-year separation
4. Settlement or Mediation
Both spouses must resolve:
- Property division
- Custody and visitation
- Child support
- Spousal support
5. Court Review
The judge reviews the agreement for fairness and child best-interest rules.
6. Final Judgment
Once signed by a judge, the divorce becomes official.
After this, spouses can:
- Update insurance and banking
- Change legal documents
- Begin child support arrangements
7. Does immigration status delay the process? No.
Family courts do not check immigration status. Undocumented immigrants follow the same timeline.
8. Summary
Uncontested: 1–6 months
Contested: 6 months to 1–2 years
Next in the series:
👉 “Can Undocumented Immigrants Get Divorced? What Family Courts Actually Do”
