UNCONTESTED DIVORCE
An uncontested divorce is one in which both parties agree to both the divorce and all issues related to it. If you do not, then you will have to file for a contested divorce.
Many people think that they can handle uncontested divorce matters on their own, but they do not know what they are getting themselves into. Making a mistake during an uncontested divorce can cost each of you money down the road. An attorney can catch mistakes and anticipate unforeseen circumstances. This helps protect cases from becoming costly. Learn More About Lawyers & Fees
A divorce does not always have to be expensive.
The amount of
legal fees paid to an attorney is directly related to the level of agreement between the two divorcing parties.
Attorneys typically bill clients by the hour.
When two parties can generally agree, the billable hours can be kept to a minimum, thereby keeping the cost of a divorce down.
Uncontested means that the two parties can reach agreement themselves about co-parenting, child support and alimony, and the division of marital property. In contested divorces, children and marital property are usually areas of debate which result in increased attorney time, court time, and therefore higher legal fees.
If you and your spouse wish to continue on an uncontested track, answer the following eight (8) questions, and then contact us to get started on your uncontested divorce:
- Legal and Physical Custody: Joint or sole? What will the parenting schedule be? Read more about “In a Divorce, Who Gets the Children?”
- Vacation/Holiday Calendar: Use our Holiday Worksheet as a handy guide.
- Transportation: Who will transport the children for parenting time exchanges?
- Child Support: What is the Massachusetts Guideline support to be paid? Use our quick links to go to our Child Support Calculator or to learn more about the costs associated with raising children.
- Medical Insurance: Which parent will cover health insurance?
- Income Tax Exemptions: Who claims the children on their income taxes?
- Alimony/Spousal Support: How much and for how long? To learn about the likelihood of whether or not an alimony award is applicable in your situation, click here.
- Property & Debt Division: What is the fair and equitable way to value and divide marital property? Click here to analyze the property in your marital estate.
To review more issues of divorce, go here. You can fill out our Divorce Questionnaire today and we’ll file your divorce as quickly as early next week.
This new approach of working toward agreement with your partner offers improvements to the old adversarial system where both spouses are pitted against each other in court, retaining expensive attorneys on each side.
Statistics show that cases that settle out of court, using non-adversarial methods, cost approximately ten percent less than hiring two attorneys and proceeding all the way to trial. Our attorneys are proud that our fees are so reasonable as we believe strongly that your money should stay within your own family.
We have found that over 70% of those parties seeking an uncontested divorce can, and ultimately do, terminate their marriage efficiently, inexpensively, and without the public intervention of a Judge. If you and your spouse have children, the bitterness and fighting can have a lasting effect on their mental health.
Parties seeking an uncontested divorce are interested in resolving their cases expeditiously, typically hoping to have it done as quickly as possible. With that in mind, we have streamlined our efficient system for handling uncontested divorces. Typically, an uncontested case will reach conclusion within 5 weeks from the date we are retained. We offer an expedited service and other additional services beyond our basic service. Learn More
If you are proceeding on your own as a pro se litigant, our A La Carte Legal Services allow you to use our services on an “as needed” basis, and walk away with a better understanding of what you need than if you had never consulted with an attorney at all!
Even if your legal budget prevents you from hiring an attorney at all, the best money you could spend may be for our “Second Opinion” Divorce Advice. Learn More
Attorney Irwin M. Pollack devotes his entire family law practice to contested and uncontested divorce in Massachusetts. Use our quick links to learn more about divorce planning, tax implications, custody and parenting plans.
Call (800) 910-DIVORCE to learn more about our services and fees, or contact us to get started with your Divorce Homework.