A spouse can certainly delay a divorce but it is rare to be able to stop the divorce altogether. A spouse can delay the divorce by dragging their feet and making it difficult on the opposing party. A spouse can refuse to accept service of divorce papers, refuse to sign off on a divorce decree and not be cooperative. A spouse can also claim the marriage is savable and not irretrievably broken. In some instances, the assistance of professional marriage or individual counselors can help a couple to repair a troubled marriage. In some instances, the court may be convinced that the marriage is not irretrievably broken and that there is a reasonable likelihood that it can be saved. This would ordinarily only be in cases where the parties are engaging in marital relations and acting as husband wife. However, this is a rare fact pattern that does not take place often. Thus, in most instances, a party can only delay the divorce, but cannot stop it.
Kirk C. Stange of Stange Law Firm, PC is a family law attorney in St. Louis, Missouri.
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