Unlike other money judgments (where the person who is owed the money has to renew the judgment every 10 years), family law money judgments do NOT expire. So you do not have to file a request for renewal of the judgment. Your court order will be valid until paid in full.

How do I know a divorce is final?

When Is a Divorce Final? Your divorce is final on the day the court signs the divorce decree. You normally will receive it a few days later, since it is sent to your attorney, who will then send you a copy. You are legally divorced as of the date the decree is signed.

Can a court divide a former spouse’s pension 14 years?

Hingham Divorce Attorney Kimberley Keyes reviews the court decision suggesting an asset division can sometimes be modified following a divorce. In a recent decision, the Massachusetts Appeals Court held that a Probate and Family Court judge properly awarded 50 percent of a husband’s pension to his ex-wife nearly 15 years after the parties divorced.

Is the final divorce decree valid if the date is illegible?

Brette’s Answer: In most cases, the date of dissolution is the date of the final judgment entered by the court. However, a court can indicate a different date in the judgment if it chooses. Is the decree valid if the date is illegible?

When does a divorce petition have to be finalized?

We get a lot of questions from women wondering when their divorce will be final or if an old divorce petition was ever finalized. That’s understandable because of the numerous steps in the divorce process. Even if you’ve reached a settlement and agree on everything, it still needs to be approved by the court.

What happens when a judge approves a divorce decree?

If it’s approved by the judge, a court order (judgment) will be issued outlining the details of the divorce, including the case number, names of the parties, the settlement agreement, and the specifics of support and child custody.