Getting what you want in an uncontested divorce

Divorce can be contentious, no matter how much you and your soon-to-be-ex-spouse are willing to cooperate with each other to get it over with. At the [nap_names id=”FIRM-NAME-1″], we know that this is a difficult time in your life. We also know that uncontested divorce can benefit many couples. For you and other Californians, an uncontested option may be better than litigation, depending on your situation.

As FindLaw explains, uncontested divorce options, such as mediation and collaborative law, typically have numerous advantages over a litigated divorce. These include the following:

• Being less costly and time-consuming than going to court
• The ability to negotiate terms you and your ex can agree upon
• Reducing conflict for everyone, including children
• Teaching you communication and negotiation skills
• Giving you privacy, rather than your divorce details becoming a matter of public record

However, you might worry that you won’t get what you are hoping for if, for example, both you and your spouse want full custody of the children or you have complicated property division issues. As mentioned above, you may be able to compromise on solutions during mediation sessions, if you and your spouse are willing to hear each other’s side and treat each other with respect. As you might imagine, an uncontested divorce can be difficult, if not impossible, if one or both spouses are unwilling to budge on their terms and can’t speak to each other civilly.

This is why you should consider your circumstances before deciding to seek an uncontested divorce. In some cases, litigation is the better option. As our page explains, it can be beneficial to settle your divorce disputes, but experienced counsel is often necessary.