There are many reasons why an uncontested divorce—or collaborative divorce—is the best decision for you and your spouse.
What is an uncontested divorce?
It means that the spouses work the details out on their own, saving them and the family thousands of dollars and lots of time. There’s less fighting, less anger, and more control over your fate. You’ll also be able to spend far less money on attorneys, keeping your financials intact, but will still be able to utilize their services to finalize things at the end.
Are you wondering how to choose an uncontested divorce attorney? Curious about what questions to ask an uncontested divorce attorney before hiring them?
Keep reading.
1. What Does the Process Look Like?
The divorce process varies based on a contested vs uncontested divorce.
Luckily for you and your spouse, you chose the easier, less time-consuming route. You won’t have to appear in a courtroom or go to trial. It can take as little as three weeks and less than $2,000 to finalize.
One party drafts the divorce documents. Both parties review the documents to ensure they agree with all the terms. Both parties have to agree on at least five things—child support, custody, alimony, dividing debts, and dividing assets.
Once you and your spouse have agreed, the finalized documents are reviewed by a judge. A final divorce decree gets entered when the judge approves.
2. How Will I Be Charged for This?
Different lawyers charge in various ways, so it’s important to know how you’ll be charged before proceeding.
Your uncontested divorce attorney might charge by the hour and require a retainer, both things you should know up-front. They may or may not let you negotiate with your spouse directly, allowing you to keep the cost of divorce down. You can also ask if they expect any other costs to accrue—often, this isn’t necessary for an uncontested divorce.
You can even ask them what they think the total cost of your divorce should be.
3. How Long Until My Divorce Is Finalized?
Several factors affect how long a divorce can take to be finalized. Ask your attorney to see what these factors might be.
In most cases, uncontested divorces can be finalized in as little as four to five weeks but could take up to a year depending on your state or whether the municipality is backed up.
Since both parties are in agreeance, you’ll get a quicker timeline than those who are going through child custody disputes or disagree over the division of property. You’ll also get to skip mediation or arbitration, which can make your divorce go faster.
You Still Need an Uncontested Divorce Attorney
While an uncontested divorce does save you money when it comes to hiring lawyers, it’s still a service you’ll need, particularly at the end.
An attorney for an uncontested divorce ensures that both parties are satisfied, their wants and needs heard, and their positions honored through the contract.
Now that you know how to hire an uncontested divorce attorney, see how else we can ease your legal issues by heading back to our homepage for more.
