Will a Government Shutdown Slow Down or Impact My Divorce?
A common question we’ve heard lately is: “If there’s a government shutdown, will it affect my divorce? Should I pause the divorce until things calm down?”
If you’re asking this, you’re not alone. Divorce is already overwhelming—and when you add the uncertainty of a government shutdown, it can feel like too much to juggle. Let’s look at how a shutdown might (or might not) affect divorce proceedings, and what you can do if you’re in this situation.
Does a Government Shutdown Affect Divorce Proceedings?
In most cases, a government shutdown does not directly stop or delay divorce cases, because divorce is handled at the state court level, not federal. Your local family court will continue operating, and deadlines, hearings, and filings should move forward as scheduled.
That said, there are indirect ways a shutdown may affect your divorce:
Income uncertainty: If you’re a government employee and your pay is delayed, this can create financial stress that complicates negotiations.
Retirement accounts: Federal retirement accounts (like TSP) or pensions may require additional paperwork, which could see slower processing times during a shutdown.
Timing pressure: If you’re living separately but peacefully, you may feel tempted to delay the process to reduce stress.
Should You Pause Your Divorce During a Shutdown?
It depends on your situation. If your divorce is amicable, moving forward with mediation or uncontested filing may still be manageable. On the other hand, if your job stress is at a breaking point, there’s no harm in slowing down—divorce is a process, not a race.
Ask yourself:
Do I have the mental bandwidth to manage both divorce and job stress right now?
Would pausing create more clarity, or just prolong uncertainty?
Am I and my spouse in agreement about taking a slower pace?
Practical Tips for Divorcing During a Government Shutdown
Talk to your attorney or mediator. They can help you decide whether it makes sense to push ahead or pause.
Document finances carefully. If income is delayed, track expenses so you can show the impact on support or settlement discussions.
Communicate clearly with your co-parent. If you’re juggling schedules, transparency can reduce conflict.
Take care of yourself. Stress compounds during uncertain times—don’t forget to lean on support systems.
FAQs: Divorce and Government Shutdowns
Will the family court close during a government shutdown? No. Family courts are state-run and will continue to operate.
What about dividing federal retirement accounts in divorce? Paperwork related to federal benefits (like TSP) may be slower to process, but the court can still order the division.
If I’m not being paid during a shutdown, will that affect child support or spousal support? It may temporarily affect your ability to pay, but courts look at long-term income, not short-term disruptions. You can document the hardship and request adjustments if needed.
Is it better to wait until after the shutdown to file for divorce? Not necessarily. If you and your spouse are cooperative, you can still move forward. But if the stress feels unmanageable, waiting is an option.
A Gentle Reminder
You don’t need to have all the answers today. Whether you decide to continue or pause, your divorce timeline is your own. What matters most is your well-being and your children’s stability—not rushing because of outside pressures.
At Fresh Starts, we have divorce attorneys, mediators, and financial experts in our Expert Guide who understand the unique challenges government employees face during divorce.
If you’re preparing to make this decision, download our free ebook, What to Consider When You’re Considering Divorce. It includes scripts, checklists, and compassionate advice for navigating divorce under stressful circumstances.
Your fresh start will still be there—shutdown or no shutdown.