Divorce is a highly emotional event. It often brings out the worst in people and causes them to make stupid decisions. Many couples are on the same page when it comes to divorce. They both know they are unhappily married and are ready to move on.
However, in some marriages, one person wants to divorce, while the other does not. They are not on the same page when it comes to their feelings. One person wants to save the marriage, but the other person has already checked out emotionally. This can lead to a contentious divorce as the hurt spouse deals with their anger and bitterness.
This leads to contested divorces, which often drag on for many months or even years. The hurt spouse unleashes revenge on the other spouse to make them pay for ending their marriage. This also causes damage to any children involved, increasing their stress and anxiety levels.
Contested divorces rarely end on a good note. They are expensive, they take a long time to settle and they cause lasting emotional damage. That is why it is best to settle your divorce amicably, if at all possible, especially if children are involved.
Your divorce does not have to be nasty courtroom battle like the ones you may have seen on TV. You can opt for an uncontested divorce and move on in peace. An uncontested divorce means that you not only agree to the divorce but to all the issues involved, such as child support, child custody, asset division and alimony. When you opt for an uncontested divorce, you avoid going to court, which is a huge bonus. Having to explain everything to a judge can be nerve-wracking and cause even more stress during an already emotional event.
The good news is that 80% of divorces in the United States are uncontested. There is a good reason for that. Uncontested divorces offer many benefits. Here are some of them in more detail.
Cost Savings
Divorce is expensive, primarily due to lawyer fees and court costs. The average divorce runs around $15,000, although if you choose the uncontested route, you could pay much less. If you and your spouse can agree on all the major aspects of your divorce, then you could avoid unnecessary costs. You still might need a mediator or even a lawyer to address complex financial issues, but if you opt for a friendly divorce, you will reap the savings.
Quicker Divorce
A contested divorce can drag on for years. That is because the parties cannot come to an agreement on how to settle their divorce. If one person wants to contest everything, this will lead to delays. It will take much longer to finalize everything. In an uncontested divorce, the process moves much faster. An uncontested divorce can take just several months to finalize, whereas a contested one could potentially take several years. Therefore, you should choose an uncontested divorce if you want to end your marriage peacefully and move on more quickly.
Less Stress
Ending a marriage is stressful enough. Why would you want to contest everything and make the process even more stressful? Even though you will feel some hurt and frustration as you navigate your divorce, that is normal. Delaying the process will only cause more stress. So have a conversation with your spouse and let them know that you plan to end things as quickly as possible. Negotiating your divorce on your own will keep personal details private, since they will not be shared in court. This can be a relief if you are worried about disclosing personal information.
You do not want the stress of arguing over your marriage. However, that does not mean that you want to let your spouse take advantage of you. If he or she is trying to make things unfair for you, then you may want to get a lawyer or financial adviser involved to ensure your rights are protected.
You Control the Outcome
When you and your spouse agree to the terms of your divorce, you have the control. When the case becomes contested and you have to hash out the details in court, you lose that control. The judge makes the decisions, and you and your spouse may not like the outcome. The judge does not know your history, your wants and goals. They are making decisions based on what they hear in court and what the laws are in your state.
The only way to truly get what you want is to negotiate outside of court. This will require some compromise on your part, so don;t expect to get everything you want. However, by working with your spouse on the key issues, you have a much better chance of getting a favorable outcome.
Better Relationship With Your Ex
If you have no kids, then you may not care about having a better relationship with your ex-spouse, In fact, you may never even see them again once the divorce is finalized. However, if there are children involved, it is a good idea to stay on friendly terms. Your ex will still be a part of your life until the kids are grown, so try to avoid too much drama during the divorce process.
Seek Legal Help
While you may feel the need to seek revenge in a divorce, it is best to just go with the flow and try to settle things amicably. This method will be much cheaper, as it will prevent costly delays.
Broward County divorce attorney Scott J. Stadler can help you achieve the best outcome possible for your divorce case. With more than 30 years of experience, he can give you solid advice for your family law matters. Schedule a consultation today. Call our office at (954) 346-6464 or fill out the online form.