official divorce date when settlement $ deferred

[onedayatatime]

1) Once my spouse and I agree on a settlement how long does it take to be completely done with it? i.e. signed - sealed - delivered - I'm divorced
In other words, what if I wanted to be officially divorced as soon as possible and this has already taken two years, if we finally agree on a settlement this week, when can I look forward to being divorced? If my separation date was September /08 does that have an impact on my official divorce date ?

2) If I accept a deferred payment from my spouse for perhaps 20% of the settlement because he can only afford to pay me 80% right now, does that mean that I am not officially divorced until the final payment is received (which could be 6 or 12 months) or does the final cheque have anything to do with the date of divorce if everything has already been signed over to him with the 80% (i.e. house, mortgage, credit line and I have moved out completely)?

Thanks for any advice on this!

[dadtotheend]

1)The court will issue the divorce certificate 30 days after sign minutes of settlement.

2)The payment schedule for equalization will not delay the issuance of the divorce.

[onedayatatime]

So are you saying that simply signing the settlement starts the 30 day ball rolling towards d-day? In other words, even if all the physical details aren't quite finished yet such as money changing hands, re-mortgaging paperwork, changing title on the house (it's in my name now), and paying lawyer bills, etc. it doesn't matter in the divorce date question? i.e. it's still 30 days even if this stuff isn't completely tied up?

If that's the case then you have made me a happy woman. Thanks! I can handle 30 more days but not much more.