Can the Final Divorce Decree be Reversed by Court?
A divorce is the last thing that couples can expect. When it happens and the court gives the final divorce decree, can it be reversed? Read on to learn more.
How much do you know about the final divorce decree?
Divorce is a learning experience for anyone who has to go through it. This can leave many people with unanswered questions. One question many people have is whether the final divorce decree can be reversed by the court.
What is a Final Divorce Decree?
If you go through a divorce, you already know that it can be a long and complicated process.
The final divorce decree is the last step in this process. In the final decree, there will be vital information regarding the court’s decision.
A divorce certificate is different from a divorce decree. A divorce certificate exists for the purpose of record-keeping and is issued by the state. A divorce decree, on the other hand, is an enforceable court order that both parties must follow.
When the Final Divorce Decree is Given
Divorce cases can take a long time. This final decision is often a relief for the parties involved.
The final decree is given after the divorce trial or after a settlement is agreed upon and submitted to the court.
This looks different depending on whether there was a trial or a settlement.
In the case of a trial, the judge considers testimony given and evidence presented. The judge decides things like child support and custody, property division, and alimony.
In the divorce decree, those decisions are finalized. This is a legally binding court order that covers what the relationship between the ex-spouses looks like moving forward.
In a settlement, the written settlement is sent to the court. It can also be spoken aloud to the courtroom record.
The judge reviews the agreement to decide if it’s fair and legal. If it is, the court issues a decree that covers the terms. This decree is a legally binding court order on both parties.
When a Divorce Becomes Final
The divorce is not final until the day the decree is signed by the court. Most of the time, you receive the decree shortly after it’s signed. It’s first mailed to your attorney and forwarded to you from there.
The divorce is legal and final when the decree is signed. Only then is the marriage legally terminated.
Can Divorce Decrees be Undone?
There are some cases in which a final divorce decree can be reversed, but this depends on the specifics.
Most of the time, the final divorce decree is just that: final. Typically, one or both parties want the divorce to stay final, so it wouldn’t be fair if the divorce could easily be undone.
However, there are occasional reasons why someone might want to reverse the final decision.
Reasons to Reverse a Decree
The reasons people may want to change the final decree include reconciliation, in which both individuals decide they don’t want the divorce after all.
More often, one or both of the parties want the decision reversed because they decide they don’t like the trial judgment. Or one person may decide the settlement terms aren’t fair.
When a Divorce Decree Reversal Can Work
Many times, getting a final divorce decree reversed isn’t possible, even if both parties want it to happen.
In New Hampshire, a couple decided they had changed their minds about the divorce. Thomas McCarron and Terrie Harmon were married 24 years before getting a divorce. When they decided to resume the marriage, they asked the court to reverse the decree. But the court ruled a reversal wasn’t possible.
In some states a final divorce decree can be reversed so long as both parties request it and are within the correct time frame. Those states include Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi and Nebraska. Other states, like New Hampshire where McCarron and Harmon lived, say they have no authority to undo divorce decrees.
But even in states like New Hampshire, there are exceptions. The reasons to reverse a divorce decree include mistake, misfortune, accident or fraud. A couple who simply want to undo the decree doesn’t fall under those categories.
Divorce Decree Modifications
The chances to make modifications to the final decree are greater than getting it reversed altogether. Again, the circumstances have to be right.
Some things are always final, like property division. But other things, like decisions related to children, can often be modified.
In divorce settlements, couples sometimes leave certain things open to future modification. Health insurance and spousal or child support are reasons for later modifications if circumstances change.
A modification can be submitted to the court in writing. If it’s unclear whether both parties agree to the modification, a hearing may be held.
The modification agreement must also be signed by a judge. After that, it becomes a legally binding court order that both parties must follow.
Need to Reverse a Final Divorce Decree?
Do you hope to reverse or modify a divorce decree?
These situations can be legally complicated and emotionally challenging. You’ll have an easier and more successful case if you have an experienced lawyer on your side.
No matter what stage you’re at in the divorce process, contact us to find out how we can help.
Marisa Kortawy says
August 30, 2018 at 2:27 amI’m divorced as if July 10, 2018 I regret I filed can I reverse the divorce
acwegner says
September 27, 2018 at 6:14 pmIf your final hearing was July 10, 2018, the divorce order would have been considered final as of 30 days later. As far as reversing the divorce because of regrets, as long as you and your ex share the same feelings, you can always remarry. As far as I am aware, however, there is no way to undo a divorce, especially after the 30 day period has gone by.
Rina Veldsman says
September 27, 2018 at 1:10 amWhat is the required time frame for reversal of decree? Divorce was a settlement and I appeared in court on 31 July 2018 but neither of us ave received anything in writing as at 26 September 2018.
acwegner says
September 27, 2018 at 6:13 pmIf you had your final hearing on July 31, 2018 (in Nebraska), you would have had 30 days to file an appeal and after that 30 day period, the decree is considered a final order. I would reach out to the district court clerk for the county in which your divorce occurred to see if they can provide you with a copy of your final pleadings.
Out Dorothy Peterson says
December 15, 2018 at 9:08 amIn the divorce decree I allowed him to have the house and property which was purchased with my inheritance and I have paid all 5he bills. I never moved out because he got sick and needed help the divorce was 3 years ago in the last year he has been abusive and now wants me out. He only made payments on the house for 3 years. He cannot afford to keep up the house which is now paid for. I want my house and property back. Is there any chance to reverse it can I refile since we have lived in the house together for the last 3 years
acwegner says
December 19, 2018 at 6:11 pmDorothy,
At this point, reversing the decree is likely not an option; however, you can file a complaint to modify the decree and put forward your reasons to modify (i.e., your payments, his ability to pay, etc.) and possibly get the home and equity that way. Otherwise, you would have to sue him under a different cause of relief which would likely be under Tort law.
Mason Wyatt says
November 5, 2018 at 11:53 pmWhat about Mississippi? We want to reconcile but the divorce was final on July 9th 2018.
acwegner says
December 19, 2018 at 6:17 pmMason,
We don’t practice in Mississippi so I can’t tell you for sure. I would check with a family law attorney in your state and see if too much time has passed. If you were in Nebraska, we wouldn’t be able to do much at this point but that may not be true in Mississippi.
Gurde says
March 8, 2019 at 10:39 pmMS CODE 93-5-31 STATES: The judgment of divorce from the bonds of matrimony may be revoked at any time by the court which granted it, under such regulations and restrictions as it may deem proper to impose, upon the joint application of the parties, and upon the production of satisfactory evidence of their reconciliation.
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Stormy says
December 12, 2018 at 12:53 amWe live in Texas. Our final decree was signed by judge & we were in court December 3rd, 2018. Last week. Can it be reversed?
acwegner says
December 19, 2018 at 6:15 pmStormy,
No one at our office is licensed to practice in Texas, however, I would think there would be something the two of you could do if you decided to reconcile and want to vacate the decree prior to expiration of the appeals period. You should check with a Texas family law attorney as I bet they would have an answer for you right away.
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December 19, 2018 at 6:13 pmThank you very much for the kind words! Blogging can certainly be time consuming, but it seems to pay off when prospective clients are able to find answers to their questions without having to pay someone for it. We really want to be able to provide people with information relevant to their issues and hope that they will seek our services if they need an attorney in the future. Best of luck to your blogging efforts!
Vanessa says
December 18, 2018 at 5:51 pmOur prove-up was October 25th, the 28 day order was November 22nd. I submitted all necessary documents regarding 401k and transcripts. Why am I receiving another 28 day order to appear?
acwegner says
December 19, 2018 at 6:06 pmVanessa,
Typically, the decree is entered the same day or shortly after once a prove up is held. The only reason this may not have happened is if the parties were still working on the decree and just wanted to get the agreements on the record. If you want, please give us a call and I am sure we can figure out what is missing and why the court is still asking you to appear.
Lynda Royse says
December 28, 2018 at 9:42 pmI divorced my husband two years ago because he molested my son and is in prison. In the divorce I got his pension and the content of the house and out buildings. Now, he wants his pension back to have money in prison. The pension is $525.00 per month which I have been getting for about a year. He says I committed perjury and fraud with the divorce. I have no idea what he is talking about, I didn’t. I followed the directions from the court. Before the divorce was finalized but after he read the divorce, he had someone to take everything out of the house and out buildings. I didn’t say anything about this. He says he’s taking me to court to get his pension. I can’t afford an attorney. What should I do or expect. He is in Utah state prison and I live in Wyoming. During the divorce process he had opportunity to contest the divorce twice, but didn’t.
acwegner says
February 12, 2019 at 4:58 pmLynda – You should consult a local attorney for this type of question. I am not familiar with Wyoming law and not licensed to practice in that state.
Norma Bennett Rn says
March 5, 2019 at 11:37 amwouldnt molesting your son be reason to keep this jackass restrained from harrassing you? Id go to victim witness and get some protection. As a survivor of domestic Violence and abuse and now an RN I know my topic.?and then some!
Ruth says
January 8, 2019 at 2:06 amI live in Oklahoma and signed my divorce decree in December 2018. I had just lost my mom the week before and feel now that I signed under undue distress. The divorce has been 4 long years and we were married 50 years. Out of $1,000,000.00 in assets, I was awarded $2,000.00 for 5 years called alimony instead of property settlement. And owe my attorney $40,000 in fee’s. Can I file an appeal or a complaint to modify the divorce decree?
acwegner says
February 12, 2019 at 4:57 pmRuth – You should certainly seek some assistance from an attorney in your state to see what your options are at this time. There are time limitations for filing appeals and certain conditions that need to be met for filing modifications.
Ramesh Bhandari says
January 8, 2019 at 12:31 pmI am divorced as of December 19, 2018 in Maryland. Can this be reversed? If so, how much time is left?
acwegner says
February 12, 2019 at 4:55 pmRamesh – You should seek counsel in your state as I am not licensed to practice in Maryland.
Karem Toledo says
January 18, 2019 at 2:31 pmWhen a divorce decree come to its final payments and “expiration date” after 10 years of the original divorce agreement and diorcwitsefl; can it be extended or appealed or continue?…… even if the kids are older than 18?……
acwegner says
February 12, 2019 at 4:55 pmA decree does not have an expiration date. It is a final order that will remain in effect until a different Order supersedes it.
Karina ortiz says
March 14, 2019 at 5:49 pmMy prove up hearing was 2/8/2019 I am the petitioner . The respondent didn’t submit the order of transcripts between 28 days? What will Be the fine or punishment?
Albert says
February 8, 2019 at 3:20 amI received a decree of desolation of marriage but still my lower just informed me about final hearing which is about to take place but the court has not send me anything showing of the decree was an was not final or not anyone with information to help please
acwegner says
February 12, 2019 at 4:54 pmAlbert – It sounds like you have an attorney; and therefore, you should contact them immediately if there is a final hearing on your case. You should be present and informed about what is happening in your case.
Norma Bennett RN says
March 5, 2019 at 12:05 pmcourts usually have a “self help” group. usually students taking cases or giving advice but its supervised by their instructors who are attorneys. Go to the court adress mentioned on your court papers. ask for advice there. If you are late go in to the judge and ask for sometime to get an attirney or represent yiurself with the CORRECT paperwirk. If you dont go on time tge judge will make a decision which you might not agree with. In tgat case you can apoeal it within a specified time…BUT YOU MUST GO TO COURT TO DO THIS.
Nanci rodroguez says
February 12, 2019 at 10:49 amI divorce my husband via publication since he refused to be serve. Three.months later the judge disolved my marriage and gave me a divorce. He now wants to reverse the marriage and change it to annulment instead. Because he is afraid he has to pay me ( he process my papers through immigration) I don’t want anything from him. He was abusive and a terrible man. Now he has hire an attorney to reverse the divorce and try the anulment. I got the divorce in Florida and he now lives with his girlfriend in New York. He left me for another woman 2 years ago. Can he do that.
acwegner says
February 12, 2019 at 4:52 pmNanci – Unfortunately, I am not licensed in FL so I can’t give you advice on that state.
Norma Bennett RN says
March 5, 2019 at 12:16 pmNancy, If your an immigration case there is a form to fill ASAP it is for immigrants in a abusive/battered relationship. Normally if you get your i130 etc through the marriage and you are abused you ARE allowed to file these forms to get the divorce based on your being abused. if you cant afford it there is a fee waiver form i912 file that as well together. IMMIGRATION IS FEDERAL government. MARRIAGE IS STATE government. You ARE NOT ALONE many spouses face abuse SO FIGHT FOR YOURSELF. As an RN I can advise you NOT TO GIVE UP ON YOURSELF.
Sofas says
February 17, 2019 at 5:14 amAfter 4 years of going through the divorce process after 29 years of marriage (arranged marriage when I was 19 and he was 30), our divorce was finalized two weeks ago. The process included parental alienation with him indulging and pampering our daughter and letting her get away with everything and painting me as the bad guy rules and consequences enforcer. My daughter was 16 at the time and these kinds of games went on for two years until she was emancipated. After that, there were overseas investigations because he owned businesses overseas. The investigations proved inconclusive. When we first got married we had nothing. Fifteen years into the marriage he became successful and made good money. But he was very controlling and never shared financial information with me or put my name on accounts. After the signing of the divorce decree, I realized he had cashed a considerable amount of money from our stock portfolio. I am now angry that my lawyer did not have my name put on the account so that I could have known and been involved in decisions about whether or not to let him cash stocks. I also am upset that my lawyer did not freeze the account when he cashed a considerable amount of stocks 6 months ago. Is it too late to reverse the decree to investigate whether i should be awarded some of the money from the stocks he cashed?
acwegner says
February 18, 2019 at 5:21 pmYou should certainly contact an attorney in your state if you believe there were funds undisclosed during the divorce process. It could be a way to reopen the case and nullify the decree.
Norma Bennett says
March 5, 2019 at 12:27 pmSofas,
IF YOU HAVE HARD COPIES original of the stocks (in your names joint) you could adress it in court as a SMALL CLAIMS that he owes you on the sale & profits. Since small claims has a limit different in every jurisdiction file one at a time. The cost is below $50 to file USUALLY. Better yet if he sold them at profit let darling IRS know.
G.G Jr says
February 18, 2019 at 3:31 amcan a divorce be reversed in Indiana
acwegner says
February 18, 2019 at 5:20 pmI am only licensed to practice in Nebraska and Iowa, so I cannot give legal advice on other states.
Norma Bennett RN says
March 5, 2019 at 12:39 pmHi I’m not an attorney. As an RN I offer to review legal files from a medical standpoint. I also offer expert witness testimony services. If I can be of service please feel free to get in touch, if you are allowed access to my contact info (email only please) I just offer my goodwill opinion on various blog sites because I think theres enough goodness out there. Goodluck
Yvonne Johnson says
May 3, 2019 at 8:47 pmMy husband filed for divorce in Kansas. I lived in Nebraska at the time of filing and could not afford an attorney to represent myself. His attorney did all the paperwork. We were married 18 years of which I was a homemaker without income for the last 10 years of the marriage. His attorney insisted that I sign the papers giving me a percentage of his 401k at retirement age. He said if I didn’t agree the judge would determine what I was entitled to which led me to think was in my best interest to sign. There was no mention of any portion of his pension for me in the divorce decree. My ex husband has recently retired with a very high pension, and I’m wondering if I should have been entitled to a portion of his pension. I believe I was bamboozled into thinking I must sign what was put in the papers from his 401k rather than let the judge determine my portion of monthly retirement benefits which would have amounted to a significant monthly increase. Would a tort apply in my case?
acwegner says
May 6, 2019 at 1:56 pmYvonne – You would need to speak with a Kansas attorney about this case as there may be other options available.