Talk About Divorce

An uncontested divorce is the way most people get divorced. It’s simple, relatively inexpensive, and it offers you and your spouse a chance to end the relationship with a sense of dignity. It’s not for every failed marriage, but it’s probably more than right for most everybody. One of the key differences is that rather than each party retaining the services of a divorce attorney, the final negotiations are done either privately or with the assistance of a mediator.

You don’t need a divorce attorney. Uncontested divorces are becoming simpler by the day, with some states not requiring your presence at the hearing. The bottom line is, money spent on a divorce attorney, is money that can be spent or saved for yourself. Remember, a divorce attorney feeds on the fact that emotions are running high and that both parties are neglecting to negotiate. This in turn racks up billable hours, which means money out of your pocket. During rough times like a divorce, when money may be scarce as it is, who needs to pay a divorce attorney for something that can be settled alone.

The most crucial part of a successful uncontested divorce is the low level of conflict between you and your estranged spouse. You don’t necessarily have to agree with each other on the intended outcome of the divorce, but it’s the practical and pragmatic sensibilities on the part of both parties to minimize cost, while staying in control and ending the marriage.
If you and your spouse don’t agree on all the issues of your divorce, that just means you have a bit of negotiating to do before you finish it. Imagine the costs of retaining a divorce attorney while both sides bicker about who deserves what. The divorce attorney will be in no rush to finish negotiations, possibly even stalling them, in order to reap the maximum financial benefit for themselves.

Obviously, there are certain situations where it is a terrible idea to self-represent, or forgo the counsel of a divorce attorney. If either party is being abused in any way, it is a good idea to retain legal consul. If there are large assets and child custody issues, you had better find a divorce attorney.

At the end of the day, it is simply crucial to reach a settlement that satisfies both parties. There are a host of extenuating circumstances that would heighten the risk of forgoing legal counsel. However, in the case that both parties are satisfied with just ending the marriage, simply familiarizing yourself with divorce proceedings should be adequate in reaching your desired goal.