Thinking about getting a divorce? You likely know that divorces can be hard, and everyone has heard horror stories, though some of those stories may be true, and others false. There is one thing that you can do to make it much easier on yourself and your soon-to-be ex-spouse. It’s called an uncontested divorce. Should you seek an uncontested divorce in Virginia? At AC Rieman Law, we wholly encourage you to do so.
Who is Eligible For an Uncontested Divorce in Virginia?
There are a few eligibility requirements you do need to have an uncontested divorce. Let’s quickly go over those:
- Virginia resident—It may be a no-brainer that you have to actually legally reside in Virginia to be eligible for an uncontested divorce (or a traditional divorce for that matter) but what may surprise you is that this only has to be true for one of you.
- Separated for 6 months without kids—If you do not have kids, then you will have to have been separated for at least 6 months. This is also true if you do have kids but they are 18 or older.
- Separated for 12 months with kids—If you do have kids under the age of 18, then you will have to have been separated for a full year before you can seek a divorce.
That is all you need to be able to seek an uncontested divorce in Virginia. However, to complete an uncontested divorce and avoid having to go to court for a traditional divorce, you will still have to accomplish one thing. That is, you will both have to agree on the terms of your divorce.
Read More: Should You Move Out if You Are Getting Divorce in Virginia?
Why Do You Want an Uncontested Divorce?
At AC Rieman Law, we recommend that you always seek an uncontested divorce first. If you fail, you can always transition to traditional divorce, but in our experience, most of the time when both spouses seek an uncontested divorce, though the road can be rocky for some, nearly all succeed in avoiding a traditional divorce in court. Here are the reasons why an uncontested divorce is simply better:
- Cheaper—For a multitude of reasons, an uncontested divorce is simply cheaper. It can typically be done for just $495 at AC Rieman Law for example. A traditional divorce can cost thousands and when you are getting a divorce, it may simply be money that you don’t have.
- Faster—Court takes time. Where an uncontested divorce can be over in a matter of weeks. A traditional divorce will take months and can even take years in some cases.
- Avoid the Courtroom—Do you really want the courts to decide your fate? We didn’t think so. In an uncontested divorce, the two of you are given the chance to come to a mutual agreement. If you can accomplish that, you will likely come to a fairer outcome than any courtroom could come to about how your marriage should dissolve.
Do You Need an Attorney to Get an Uncontested Divorce in Virginia?
Nothing posted on this website is intended, nor should be construed, as legal advice. Blog postings and site content are available for general education purposes only.