When parties are going through divorce there is a misconception that after six months and one day their marital status is terminated without doing anything on their part after filing for divorce.
However, this conception is not true because the six months and one day starts from the time that the entire divorce package, has been served on the other side. he proof of service and the full divorce package must also be filed with the court in order for the six months and one day rule to begin accruing.
The most important form that you will need to look for to come back from court with a stamp and a date is the FL-180, a judgment form. The FL-180 is actually going to be the proof that you are divorced. Some people don't want to wait until two years until they finally have all of the assets divided and so they ask to terminate their status earlier. Of course even when the court allows the parties to terminate their status earlier, it cannot occur before six months and one day. So, starting from at least six months and one day it is possible to file a bifurcation of status only.
The only one concern that I would pay attention to is to make sure when you file for termination status only (called bifurcation status only) that you prepare a stipulation, or ideally you have someone, a legal professional, prepare a stipulation. The stipulation should protect all of your rights such as health insurance, and any benefits, or retirement benefits.
The problem that could happen is if you terminate status after six months and one day and then the other spouse predeceases before all assets are divided then you would lose all the benefits.
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