Many couples will begin the divorce process as “contested",
and then before it goes to court, come to an agreement on
the terms of the divorce. This is called settlement, and one
of its biggest advantages is that there will be no long and
drawn-out appeals process. If you and your spouse come to
an agreement, make sure it’s in writing so that it’s legally
binding. Most judges and attorneys would rather see a case
settled out of court, uncontested. If you and your spouse
can’t agree, your lawyers will be able to help you come to
a solution you can live with.
Do-it-yourself divorces have become more popular, and they
eliminate most of the legal costs that would be incurred with
the hiring of a lawyer. People that successfully handle their
own divorce usually agree on everything, so their divorce
can be considered uncontested. If you and your spouse are
in agreement with spousal/child support, it’s not necessary
to hire a lawyer. However, if aspects of the dissolution of
the marriage are contested, it’s advisable to seek counsel.
The complex nature of a contested divorce would be almost
impossible for an untrained person to deal with.
If you are considering filing for divorce, it’s important
that you learn about the process. Far too often, a simple
uncontested divorce can turn bitter, and conversely, a protracted
divorce can be settled out-of-court. As you continue with
proceedings, you will learn that it’s a good idea to come
to a mutual agreement with your spouse, because it will save
you both money and legal headaches.
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