Why You Need a Lawyer for an Uncontested Divorce

You and your spouse tried to make a go of your marriage — but it just didn’t work. Once the romance faded, you quickly realized that you weren’t really compatible on many levels, and your goals are different. You haven’t invested much time or resources in the marriage, and there’s little to dispute, so you’re willing to part as friends — and want to do so as quickly as possible.

So, why bother with a lawyer when your divorce is uncontested? Here are some things to consider.

What is an uncontested divorce?

An uncontested divorce means that you and your spouse have reached an agreement on all of the issues that pertain to your divorce. If you have no children, the biggest issues may be:

• Who keeps what property, including any vehicles, pieces of art, jewelry and household items
• Who will retain possession of the home, ride out the lease and assume what debts
• Who keeps the pets you may have together and any other issues that need to be decided

If any issues become a sticking point, you can’t move forward with an uncontested divorce. It’s often easier for negotiations over any disputed issues to go through two attorneys. Their practical, dispassionate view of the situation can often influence both parties to compromise when they’re not otherwise inclined to do so.

What problems can occur when you don’t use an attorney?

Even if you and your spouse agree on everything right away, going through an uncontested divorce without legal representation can be problematic for the following reasons:

• You may accidentally give up your rights to something important without realizing the long-term consequences until it is too late.
• You may not fully understand the filing requirements, the paperwork involved and the steps you have to take to get the court’s approval — and that can cause unnecessary frustration and delay.
• The frustrations can escalate and cause emotional reactions that you don’t anticipate, which can end the chance of an amicable divorce.
• If things turn ugly, you don’t already have an attorney who understands the situation.

If you’re hoping for an uncontested divorce, hiring an attorney can be the best decision you can make. Contact our office to learn why.