{"id":351757,"date":"2016-04-04T11:02:32","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:02:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/divorce\/family-court-and-final-judgment.html"},"modified":"2023-07-20T17:16:47","modified_gmt":"2023-07-20T22:16:47","slug":"family-court-and-final-judgment","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/divorce\/family-court-and-final-judgment.html","title":{"rendered":"Family Court: Final Judgment of Divorce"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Family Court: Final Judgment of Divorce<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Divorce is a legal process that starts with filing a divorce petition with the court.  The final judgment in a divorce officially ends the marriage.  The parties may separate before filing a divorce petition, but they remain legally married until a judge issues a final decree.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Getting to the final judgment for dissolution of marriage is a complicated process<\/a>. Each state has its own requirements<\/a> for filing for dissolution. Divorcing couples should consult a family law attorney before they file. Even if they filed themselves, they should have a lawyer review the documents before the final judgment.
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What Is the Final Judgment?<\/h2>\r\n

The final judgment in a divorce proceeding ends the marriage between the couple. The parties are no longer married once the judge signs the settlement agreement. The parties must follow all court orders and agreements in the final judgment.<\/p>\r\n

The only way to change anything in the divorce decree is to return to court and ask the judge to change something in the final order. Family courts are reluctant to change or \u201cset aside" final judgments unless there is a compelling reason.<\/p>\r\n

The Family Court Process<\/h2>\r\n

In most jurisdictions, divorce cases are not handled in a single trial. Most family law courts consist of multiple hearings during which the judge, the parties’ attorneys, and the couple try to hammer out a settlement<\/a> that satisfies everyone. Nearly all divorces reach settlement through repeated hearings. In many jurisdictions, the judge orders mediation<\/a> as part of the process to encourage a neutral exchange of ideas.<\/p>\r\n

Sometimes the parties cannot reach a settlement agreement. Couples sometimes cannot figure out equitable property division or a reasonable solution to issues. The most common problems in contentious divorces include:<\/p>\r\n