The length of the legal proceeding to end a marriage varies greatly, depending on the circumstances between the spouses. A dissolution proceeding, with all documents properly prepared and executed, may finalize the end of a marriage within a matter of months. In a divorce proceeding, the extent of disagreement between the spouses significantly affects the length of the proceeding. The case will go on for as long as necessary for the parties or the court to resolve all outstanding issues. A divorce can take a year or even much longer if the issues between the spouses are substantial.