In many states there is a waiting period for finalizing a divorce following the filing of the lawsuit for divorce. This waiting period is intended to allow the spouses to “cool-off” and reconcile if possible. And some states require the spouses to have separated and lived apart for some period of time before proceeding with the divorce. In some states that require such a separation period, if the spouses reconcile and begin living together again (cohabitating) after separating, the separation period must be restarted before the divorce process can proceed.

The waiting period or separation period is often 30-90 days but may be as long as 5-18 months in states such as Arkansas, California, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Vermont. These waiting periods are generally in addition to any minimum time period a spouse must have resided in the county in which the divorce is filed before filing for divorce—known as the residency requirement.

In Kansas, the state law requires a 60-day waiting period for a divorce to be finalized after the filing of the petition for divorce. This 'cooling-off' period is designed to give couples a chance to reconcile if possible. However, Kansas does not have a mandatory separation period before filing for divorce. The only exception to the 60-day waiting period is if the court finds that there are emergency circumstances that warrant a quicker divorce. Additionally, Kansas has a residency requirement for divorce; one of the spouses must have lived in the state for at least 60 days before filing for divorce. It's important to note that the specifics of divorce proceedings can vary depending on the circumstances of the case, and an attorney can provide guidance tailored to an individual's situation.