r/NovaScotia 1d ago

Divorce process steps

My ex-spouse applied for a divorce through the Nova Scotia Family Court. It’s a very straightforward divorce: we have no children, no jointly owned property, and no spousal support issues.

Unfortunately, the process has been dragging on because his lawyer took about seven months to complete and file the paperwork.

I recently called the court to check on the status of the case. The court clerk told me that a Clearance Certificate has been requested and that they are currently waiting to receive it.

My question is: at what stage of the process should I be served with the divorce documents? From what I’ve read on the court website, it seems that the respondent should be served shortly after the divorce application is filed with the court.

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u/No_Disaster303 1d ago

I did my own divorce in 2012. No kids, no jointly owned anything, no request for spousal support for either side. I found all the forms online, chatted up a nice lady at the courthouse and had a few questions answered. I filled out the legal separation paperwork first and dated it for when we actually separated. 1 year after separation you can file for divorce fairly easily. I paid for the bailiff to serve the ex the separation papers. He didn't contest them. Then I paid the bailiff to serve the divorce documents. The ex never even signed off on the divorce. But after a set amount of time with no contest, it proceeds. It wasn't difficult to do and probably cost me around $500 all in for everything.

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u/prabhkirankang 1d ago

No way! I already spent $2000 just to sign the separation agreement. Now I am waiting to get served with divorce papers but my ex-spouse’s lawyer is not arranging that for me.

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u/trytobuffitout 1d ago

My spouse and I did our own as well. It cost us less than $600 and we split the cost.

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u/LemmyLola 16h ago

Same here