Specifics of the Uncontested Divorce

When most people think of divorce, they may immediately think of long, drawn-out battles in court, with each spouse accusing the other of wrongdoing and fighting for every piece of property and custody of the children. However, the truth is that most divorce cases in Florida are much less dramatic and much more amicable than what you see in movies and on television shows.

In fact, many couples are able to agree on the major issues in their split, and thus are able to proceed with a relatively uneventful uncontested divorce. One photo that recently went viral on the Internet actually shows a Florida couple taking a “selfie” after their divorce was finalized. The former spouses both appear to be happy, getting along, and they stated they were celebrating the time they had together as a married couple.

The Uncontested Divorce Process in Florida

“Uncontested” means that the spouses can agree on all major issues of the divorce. Such issues include:

• Parent time-sharing;
• All aspects of the parenting plan;
• How all marital debts will be divided;
• How all marital property will be divided;
• The amount of all child support and how long the support will last; and
• The amount of all spousal support and how long the support will last.

If you can come to agreements on all of these issues, an attorney can submit your proposed agreement to the Florida family courts. If the court approves the settlement agreement, you may have your divorce finalized without any major court hearings. This means that couples who are able to complete an uncontested divorce often save time, money, and stress associated with numerous court appearances. Uncontested divorce still requires couples to provide full financial disclosure and also requires six months residency of at least one spouse in the state.

Unfortunately, uncontested divorce does not work for every couple. If there are substantial debts or marital assets, it may be more difficult to agree on how such debts and property will be equitable divided. If domestic abuse is an issue, a court may wish to step in on custody determinations to make sure all arrangements are in the best interests of the child. If the spouses have significant power struggles, it also may be hard to reach a settlement. This is often the case when one spouse has a much higher potential for earnings or employment opportunities than the other, or when one spouse is seeking significant financial support.

Deciding What Is Right for You

Whether or not you and your spouse believe that you may succeed in an uncontested divorce, an experienced Boca Raton family law attorney can help you explore your options for as simple a case resolution as possible. Options such as simplified divorce, collaborative divorce, mediation, arbitration, and more can help you avoid costly litigation regarding any contested issues and come to your own arrangement with your spouse without extensive time spent in court.

If you are considering divorce, call the Boca Raton office of family lawyer Alan R. Burton for assistance. We offer free consultations, so please call us today at (954) 229-1600 to set up a meeting.