In North Dakota, a dissolution of marriage is not immediately finalized upon filing the initial paperwork. A specific duration must elapse before a judge can grant the divorce decree. This mandatory timeframe serves as a procedural requirement, measured from the date of service of the summons and complaint to the date the divorce is granted. For instance, even if both parties agree to the divorce and its terms, they must still adhere to this legally mandated duration.
This period exists to provide parties with an opportunity for reflection and potential reconciliation. It may also allow time to resolve any outstanding issues related to property division, child custody, and spousal support in a more considered manner. The historical context reveals a shift from fault-based divorce, where establishing wrongdoing was necessary, towards no-fault divorce, which requires a specified separation or waiting time to demonstrate the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.
