War on Divorce

What are the legal reasons for not signing divorce papers?

I my research regarding divorce I have from time to time come across the fact that if a spouse refuses to sign divorce papers they must have a reason. They fail to say, however, what reasons given might cause the divorce to be denied. What LEGAL reasons can a spouse give so that a divorce is denied by the court?

Public Comments

1. irreconcible differences i think
2. regardless of whether you sign them or not a divorce can be granted. a judge cannot force someone to stay married
3. none, really, but where i live, if you are separated for a specific amount of time, like 5 years or more, you don't even need the other person's consent anymore. So legally, i don't think there is a reason to deny a divorce. Only if one person refuses to sign, then you just have to wait it out.
4. Usually one party doesn't agree that the marriage is irrevocable broken, and thinks it can be fixed. The court system would rather have people try to work things out first before wasting the courts time if it can be avoided.
5. there is NO reasons that a divorce will be denied if one person doesnt sign, or doesnt want it, the Judge will sign it and give it anyway
6. Check to see if your state is a no-fault state in divorces. No reason is needed in no-fault divorce states. However, the bible says that the only legitimate reason for divorce is infidelity or adultery.
7. As far as I knew they can get a divorce even if yo don't sign! In fact the only way to be denied is if you both reconcile before the time when the divorce is supposed to be finalized and go to court to have the divorce reversed!!! Now, you can always convince the court to give a chance to counseling before going onto divorce but you need a good reason to stay married!! If kids are in the way, it could be good enough but counseling is expensive and if you messup during that time the couselor could and will give advice to court about your case!! Good luck!!
8. It simply means that the lawyers will get very rich on this one. The person not signing the papers symbolically demonstates their intention to fight, tooth and nail, the divorce petition. The often used term is that parties in the action have issues. Both sides had better get used to visiting court frequently over a long time. This is a common occurrence though. Often it takes several redrafts to get the recipient to sign the papers. By signing divorce papers you are signally that it is your intention that the reasons for the divorce are valid and that there is a set of agreements or the negotiated framework for a successful divorce settlement. By not signing there is not. The petitioner still can go forward with the court action but it will be a very long, very involved process. Depending on the jurisdiction the petitioner could negotiate terms with the recipient of the action. Often the person served can get better terms if that person doesn't sign the first draft. After all it is likely that the terms are favorable to only the plaintiff. However there is often a case where the plaintiff will provide terms very favorable to the defendant. The reason is that the plaintiff wants a fast trouble free divorce. However there is the legal logic conflicting with the angst ridden emotional roller coaster that is the companion of divorce. Some people will not accept the fact of divorce then the refusal to sign is based on blind vengeance.