Uncontested Divorce Attorney in Spokane, Washington

Helping You Navigate Through Your Uncontested Divorce with Ease

The divorce lawyers at Hodgson Law Office have decades of experience. They tailor their approach to your unique situation. 

When you need an aggressive advocate, they will fight any issues you need to contest. But when you want a skilled negotiator, they can work in a conciliatory and cooperative way to work out a mutually agreeable solution. 

Whether you need help in court, mediation, or negotiation, we provide honest and transparent representation during this distressing time.

What Is Uncontested Divorce?

A divorce ends your marriage and returns you to the status of a single, unmarried person in the eyes of the law. Before this happens, a court must wind up all the issues in the marriage and determine whether the ex-spouses will have any dealings going forward.

Not all divorces involve conflict. A low-conflict divorce happens when you and your spouse work out the terms of your divorce. 

You can think about an uncontested divorce as a mutual divorce where you and your spouse settle your differences rather than fighting over them. Specifically, an agreed divorce resolves all of the following family law issues through negotiation rather than litigation:

• Child custody;
• Child support;
• Property division;‍
• Spousal support, also called alimony.

If you believe you and your spouse can agree on these terms, an amicable divorce may be possible.

Uncontested vs. Contested Divorce

The opposite of an uncontested divorce is a contested divorce. In a contested divorce, you and your spouse battle in court rather than negotiating with each other and entering into a settlement.

Specifically, you and your spouse have incompatible positions on child custody, child support, property division, or spousal support. A family law judge resolves the disagreement through contested divorce proceedings in which each spouse presents evidence and legal arguments in support of their positions.

Major Benefits of Agreed Divorce

Many divorcing spouses pursue uncontested divorces for their tangible benefits, including:

• No court appearances since a judge can approve the terms of your settlement from written filings.
• Lower expenses because spouses can submit joint filings rather than opposing each other's filings.
• Smaller bills for divorce lawyers to negotiate a deal instead of fighting in the court system.
• Shorter divorce case since you do not need hearings or a trial to resolve disputes.

An uncontested divorce also has many intangible benefits. You will likely experience less conflict with your spouse, which may, in turn, reduce the stress on you and any children. You also have a chance to create a win-win solution rather than getting stuck with a winner-take-all solution that might happen in a contested proceeding.

Uncontested Divorce Process in Spokane

The steps for an uncontested divorce include:

• Filing a divorce petition;
• Negotiating the settlement;
• Filing the agreement with a proposed final decree.

If you and your spouse agree at the start to file an uncontested divorce, you will file a joint divorce petition with the court. However, some spouses decide not to contest the divorce only after one spouse has already filed the petition. In this case, the non-contesting spouse can file an agreement to join the already filed petition.

Requirements for Amicable Divorce in Washington

Once you and your uncontested divorce attorney negotiate a settlement with your soon-to-be ex-spouse and their uncontested divorce lawyer, you file the agreement with the court, along with a proposed final order. This agreement will address such issues as the parenting plans for the couple's children, child support amounts, debt division, and the division of marital assets.

Judges review the filings to ensure:

• The agreement meets the legal requirements for a divorce in Spokane, WA.
• The terms are fair to both spouses.
• The final order protects the children's best interests.

Courts typically approve agreements unless they have glaring inequities for the parties involved.

Why Should I Hire a Family Law Attorney If I Am Getting an Uncontested Divorce?

You might find the legal services a lawyer provides helpful even in an uncontested proceeding. A divorce lawyer can explain your rights, so you know if an uncontested divorce works for your situation. 

The lawyer will also negotiate on your behalf to make sure you get a fair outcome by protecting your personal property and custody or visitation rights. Finally, an experienced divorce attorney will work with your spouse's lawyer to draft a final decree that avoids any major issues that might cause a judge to deny it.