An Athens uncontested divorce lawyer from our firm can protect your rights while navigating the dissolution of your marriage. There are many benefits of an uncontested divorce. If you believe you and your spouse can agree on major divorce-related decisions, an uncontested divorce could provide you with a good option.
At Summit Family Law, we guide our clients through the uncontested divorce process from start to finish. Get answers to your questions and learn more about divorces during a no-obligation evaluation with our team. Our divorce lawyers are here to help you navigate this difficult time. Call today.
For a free legal consultation with a uncontested divorce lawyer serving Athens, call (256) 829-7829
Table of Contents
- What Is the Role of an Attorney in an Uncontested Divorce?
- What to Expect From Our Team During Your Uncontested Divorce
- We Can Manage Your Athens Uncontested Divorce
- What Is an Uncontested Divorce in Athens?
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Our Athens Divorce Lawyers
- Discuss Athens Uncontested Divorce With Our Team
What Is the Role of an Attorney in an Uncontested Divorce?
Summit Family Law often handles uncontested divorces. Some couples use a single attorney to prepare their paperwork, guide any remaining negotiations, and move the process from start to finish.
Yet, just because a divorce seems straightforward doesn’t mean a lawyer isn’t beneficial.
Related: Who Are The Best Divorce Lawyers in Athens, Alabama?
We encourage divorcing partners to retain their own legal representation. While we can handle uncontested divorces on our own, our attorneys must look out for the rights of the client who hired us—not the other spouse.
Here’s what you can expect from our Athens uncontested divorce attorneys:
We Manage All Relevant Communications
You have enough on your plate during divorce proceedings. You deserve this time to focus on your children, career, and ambitions. Our attorneys can field all phone calls and messages from those involved in your divorce, including your former spouse.
An uncontested divorce doesn’t erase any tension between you and your soon-to-be ex. We want to keep matters amicable, so your uncontested divorce doesn’t turn into a heated battle.
We Handle All Bureaucracy
Filling out and filing paperwork is a huge part of filing for divorce. You have to complete seemingly endless forms—some of which are stuffed with legal jargon. Your attorney can look over certain documents and advise you on what to submit. They can also make sure your paperwork gets to the right place, so there are no delays.
We Assert Your Best Interests
Some divorce attorneys promise fast and easy results. They aren’t too concerned with their clients’ best interests. Instead, they just want to get a case over with, so they can move on to the next person. Our uncontested divorce lawyers in Athens, Alabama are committed to giving your case the time and attention to detail it needs. We want you to walk away from your marriage with a new lease on life.
Athens Uncontested Divorce Lawyer Near Me (256) 829-7829
What to Expect From Our Team During Your Uncontested Divorce
Our team can step in at any point during the divorce proceedings. Whether you’re just initiating a divorce or have dealt with the process for a while, we can manage your obligations. We intend to stand by your side each step of the way. Here’s what you can generally expect from an uncontested divorce:
- You file a petition. You start divorce proceedings by filing a petition with your local county court. Some counties call this a complaint—even if you and your partner mutually agree to end the marriage. We review your petition and make sure it’s filled out accurately.
- You submit your signed settlement agreement. Your divorce settlement agreement outlines what you and your soon-to-be ex have agreed on. You may have to submit additional paperwork with your agreement. We collaborate on your settlement agreement, so you get your fair share.
- The judge signs off on your agreement. You might not have to attend court if you have a truly uncontested divorce. After all, there’s nothing to argue about; you and your ex agree on key issues. It could take a little over 30 days from the date you submit your settlement agreement to have your divorce finalized.
At any point in time, an uncontested divorce can turn into a contested one. We diplomatically handle all case-related matters, as not to spark any animosity between you and your ex.
We Strive to Offer Compassionate Legal Help
The team at Summit Family Law knows how stressful divorces can be. Some of us have personally been through the process ourselves. We aim to make this uncomfortable period in your life as easy as possible.
By entrusting us with your legal matters, you can rest assured that:
- We can combat any challenges related to your case, including any potential allegations of fault or wrongdoing.
- We streamline the process of filling out and filing paperwork, so you can focus on your personal matters.
- We collaborate on an agreement that suits both parties. We consider your children, career, and living arrangements when rebuilding your life.
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We Can Manage Your Athens Uncontested Divorce
Our attorneys pride themselves on guiding clients through divorce proceedings. We provide advice and support during this difficult and stressful time, fighting to protect their rights from start to finish. We represent clients contending with:
- Custodial disputes
- Alimony
- Property division matters
- Child support and child support modification
- High asset divorces
- Military divorces
There’s a lot of anxiety surrounding divorce—even straightforward, uncontested ones. We seek to empower individuals with divorce proceedings, giving them a new start.
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What Is an Uncontested Divorce in Athens?
Generally, an uncontested divorce occurs when there are no contested factors between the two spouses. Both parties can agree on key issues. For instance, both parties may amicably work out a custodial agreement that serves their children’s best interests. Others may divide property right down the middle and call it a day.
In couples with relatively short marriages, few joint assets, and no children, agreeing on these factors might be quick and easy. This is the perfect scenario for an uncontested divorce. However, long-term marriages and more complex divorces could qualify, as well. The court just needs to ensure both parties understand and agree to the same terms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Our Athens Divorce Lawyers
We included several questions we frequently hear from our clients about uncontested divorces in Athens. If you need more information or have additional questions, we’re standing by to learn your story.
What Do We Have to Agree on in an Uncontested Divorce?
There are factors that partners must agree on during the divorce process, or else the judge will issue orders that make the decisions for them. In an uncontested divorce, the spouses reach all necessary agreements before filing the paperwork to dissolve their marriage. These factors include:
- Property division
- Alimony
- Child custody
- Child support
If the spouses disagree about any of these topics when it is time to file, they have a contested divorce. However, they can still negotiate an agreement or reach agreeable terms in mediation. This does not mean the case has to go to trial.
What if We Cannot Agree on One or More of the Above Factors?
When spouses cannot agree on one or more of the factors necessary for an uncontested divorce, the judge will hear arguments about that factor and rule on it. These arguments are often related to child custody or property division, although disagreements about spousal support could lead to the courtroom, as well.
Before your case makes it to trial, our attorney can work with your spouse’s attorney to negotiate a settlement that works for all parties. This is the most common way these cases resolve. A negotiated or mediated settlement between partners allows the judge to issue a divorce decree and orders based on agreeable divorce terms.
Do We Need Our Own Attorneys for an Uncontested Divorce?
While our team handles uncontested divorces where both parties share an attorney, we recommend having your own lawyer to guide you through this process. If we reach any point where our client’s best interests are not central to the divorce agreement, we represent the partner who hired us.
For this reason, we believe each partner should have their own attorney. However, we are glad to handle all paperwork and steps necessary to get your uncontested divorce approved in Athens.
Can We Have an Uncontested Divorce if We Have Children?
Many parents use uncontested divorces to dissolve their marriage. While this process is more complex when there are children involved, it is possible. The factors the partners must agree on increase considerably because of the complex nature of child custody and visitation.
The parents must create a plan that determines:
- Decision-making for the child, usually shared by both parents
- Visitation during the school year, during the summer, and on holidays
- Child support payments
- Additional support for certain expenses, including private school, daycare costs, or extra-curricular activities
Our attorneys help with custodial matters. We can work with both partners to discuss their preferences and reach an agreement. For our clients, we ensure they understand their rights and protect them when necessary.
How Long Does This Process Take?
Uncontested divorces are generally the fastest and easiest way to get a divorce. State law requires a mandatory 30-day cooling-off period after filing for divorce. This means there will be at least a month between filing your paperwork and the court approving your divorce.
In many cases, there is a longer wait. While you should not have additional agreements to negotiate or mandatory mediation to attend in an uncontested divorce, there is still a backlog of cases in many courts. However, you can expect your divorce to finalize within a month or two of filing an uncontested case. We could have additional information based on your circumstances when the time comes to file.
What Are the Benefits of an Uncontested Divorce?
As noted, there are several benefits of an uncontested divorce. It is much less adversarial than fighting over assets, custody, or other factors. It could make it possible to repair a working relationship with your spouse quickly, which is essential when you share children, have business relationships, or otherwise need to interact regularly.
It is also cheaper and faster than other types of divorce. When you can agree on all of the factors necessary for an uncontested divorce, there is no need to meet for negotiations, go to mediation, or have your attorney represent you at all of these meetings. This saves considerable money.
Lastly, uncontested divorces generally take less time than other divorces. When you do not have to wait around for a response, navigate discovery, or negotiate any additional agreements after filing your complaint, you can push the case forward quickly. You could have your decree and orders within four to six weeks in some cases.
What Does an Attorney Do for an Uncontested Divorce?
Even in uncontested divorces, the judges want to see things handled fairly and equitably. They also need certain wording and standards upheld in the legal documents. An attorney ensures the judge has all necessary information to approve the divorce. The last thing you want to do is waste time and money by having to redo your divorce filing because of a mistake in the paperwork.
When we represent a client in an uncontested divorce, we protect their right to a fair agreement. We also answer their questions and ensure they understand this process. Lastly, we prepare all necessary documents, file them, and represent the client to the court, if necessary.
How Do I Get Started With an Athens Uncontested Divorce Today?
Reach out to our team for a no-obligation evaluation of your case and legal options today. We can discuss your options and discuss whether an uncontested divorce is right for you. If you already have agreements and just need someone to draw up and file your paperwork, we can go to work on your divorce petition.
We also help couples who hope for an uncontested divorce but have not yet reached agreement on all factors. We work with other attorneys or discuss options with both parties, helping them consider their options.
Discuss Athens Uncontested Divorce With Our Team
Speak with a family law team member from Summit Family Law during a no-obligation evaluation today. We can discuss your options and next steps. Our team helps guide clients through uncontested divorces, reducing the tension between divorced partners and allowing them to work together in the future.
Contact us today by calling (256) 829-7829. We are here to discuss your case and the next steps. Let us help you navigate this difficult and painful time.