Are you planning on getting a divorce in Virginia? If you’ve never been divorced before or are just unfamiliar with the process, then it’s only understandable that you have some questions. You’ve also likely heard of contested divorce and uncontested divorce. What do those terms mean? We can help with that. Let’s explore the difference between a contested and uncontested divorce in Virginia.
What is a Contested Divorce in Virginia
Let’s get to the messy one first. If you’ve heard horror stories about long divorce battles in front of judges then a contested divorce was likely at the heart of that story. A marriage is a union between two people, and when they separate, there has to be an agreement on how that separation is to proceed.
If that agreement has to be settled by a judge, then you have yourself a contested divorce. What might you disagree on? There’s a lot of things actually. Perhaps you disagree on alimony payment terms, how assets are to be split, how debt should be split, child custody, or child support. If any of those points are in contention, then you will have to have a judge sort it out.
What is an Uncontested Divorce in Virginia?
An uncontested divorce is probably not that hard to figure out with the context above. When you and your partner want to separate, and you can come to an agreement on the terms of that separation including child custody, child support, alimony, asset distribution, and debt distribution, then you don’t need to have a divorce trial in front of a judge. Instead, you can sit down with your lawyers and determine everything relatively quickly.
Can You File for an Uncontested Divorce with Children in Virginia?
What are the Benefits of an Uncontested Divorce?
The benefits of an uncontested divorce are manyfold. The obvious benefits are that it’s quicker and less costly. You want to avoid having a divorce trial if at all possible because such a trial is what will suck up time, and the more time you spend on it, the more time your lawyers spend on it too, and that time is money.
Another benefit may not be apparent at first, but parting amicably is healthier. The stress of argument, especially if there are kids involved, is often not worth it. We know it’s not always possible to get an uncontested divorce, but we’d argue that it should be attempted in every case.
Read More: How Much is an Uncontested Divorce in Virginia?
Do You Need a Lawyer for an Uncontested Divorce in Virginia?
Legally, you do not need a lawyer for an uncontested divorce, but even an uncontested divorce can get complicated when you don’t have a lawyer to help guide you through the process. This ensures that no assets go unaccounted for, all the paperwork is filed correctly, and everything goes as smoothly as possible.
If you are looking for a lawyer in Virginia for your uncontested divorce, consider relying on us. Amanda has years of experience helping people navigate their divorces. Feel free to reach out to our law offices to schedule a consultation. We look forward to helping you!
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