Your divorce is uncontested if you and your spouse both want to get divorce and are able to agree how to resolve the issues of your divorce, including custody and support issues for the children, and how to divide your property and debts. In an uncontested divorce, instead of fighting with your spouse’s attorney and preparing for trial, most of your attorney’s time will be spent drafting a Settlement Agreement that’s fair to both of you.
Some of the benefits of an uncontested divorce compared to a contested divorce are:
Divorce is resolved quickly and is less expensive
The average contested divorce takes a year from start to finish and costs $15,000 if it settles before trial. If your divorce goes to trial, the costs skyrocket. A typical trial lasts 2 days and can cost an additional $20,000.
An uncontested divorce usually takes about one to two months from start to finish and often costs less than $2,000, depending on the issues involved in your case (for example if there is property or assets to be divided or children to account for). The money spent in legal fees isn’t wasted in numerous court appearances, but is spent ensuring that your property is divided the right way.
Reduce the stress and emotional drama
An uncontested divorce is much less stressful than a traditional contested divorce. Instead of fighting unproductively, you and your spouse are both focused on getting your case settled in a fair and efficient manner.
You and your spouse make all the decisions
In a contested divorce, a judge decides everything–who gets the kids, how much Child Support will be paid, how your property is divided, and perhaps most painfully, how much of your assets will go to pay your lawyer and your spouse’s lawyer. Judges often hand down rulings that make neither party happy. For instance, if you can’t decide who should get the marital home, judges usually decide that the house should e sold.
With an uncontested divorce, you and your spouse are making the decisions. For uncontested divorces in Cook County, I charge a flat fee starting at $500 based on the complexities of property or children involved. Call me at 312-564-5743 for a free 30-minute consultation.