An uncontested divorce is one where the divorcing couple agrees on the major issues. It can take a lot less time to sort out than a contested divorce, but there is still paperwork to be completed and some other important matters to address. A Tazewell County uncontested divorce lawyer can guide you through the process.
What Are the Steps in an Uncontested Divorce?
When you file for an uncontested divorce, you and your spouse can decide to file together if you qualify for a joint simplified dissolution. This is for couples who have been married less than eight years while meeting some other requirements, like not having children and staying under certain income thresholds. When you qualify for this kind of uncontested divorce, you can use the same lawyer and get the process over with in just a few months.
If you cannot file for a joint simplified dissolution, then you have to do things the old fashioned way. Divorce papers need to be filed and responded to. Then you and your spouse must come to an agreement on some of the big issues, like the division of assets. Then you can attend a final divorce hearing where a judge can look over your agreement and give it the final approval it needs.
When Should I Expect My Uncontested Divorce to Be Finalized?
If everything goes well, an uncontested divorce can wrap up in six months to a year. Unfortunately, even when you agree on everything you can still run into delays. Sometimes one spouse takes a while to return paperwork, people can get sick, and sometimes it’s just hard to find space on a judge’s schedule to get your final hearing taken care of. Our lawyers can help you complete this process as quickly as possible.
How Can I Turn a Contested Divorce Into an Uncontested Divorce?
If you and your spouse want to speed up the divorce process, coming to an agreement about any contested issues and filing for an uncontested divorce is an option. You may not even need to go to court to find common ground on important matters like child support or alimony. Our lawyers can help you figure out if alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation, arbitration, or collaborative divorce can work for you.
Do I Need an Attorney?
Even if you and your spouse agree on everything, it’s a good idea to consult with an attorney when filing for divorce. Your lawyer can make sure that any deal reached is fair. They can also ensure that all paperwork is properly filed and filled out. Mistakes on any form can result in wasted time and extend the timeline for getting an uncontested divorce.
Contact Our Law Firm Today
When you are ready to divorce, contact Butler, Giraudo & Meister, P.C. Whether you are ready to quickly handle an uncontested divorce or there are still many issues that need to be sorted out, an experienced attorney from our firm is ready to advocate for you. Schedule your consultation today.
