An appellate court can issue its opinion or decision in as little as a month or up to a year or more. The average time period is 6 months, but there is no time limit. The length of any appeal case depends on the merits and complexities of the case. It will also depend on the schedule of the court that will hear your appeal.
Many people overlook the fact that every state has two different types of courts. The first is the state court, while the second is the federal court. If you're appealing your case in state court, the time frame is usually 14 to 24 months or even longer until a decision is made. In federal court, this time can be extended to two years or more.
How long do federal appeals take? Generally speaking, it can take a few months to two years for the appeals court to issue a decision. Based on current deadlines and our own experience, it's not unreasonable to expect the appeals process to last about a year or more.
