Divorce can become a nasty and tumultuous process, but it does not necessarily have to get to that point. If you and your former spouse are still on good terms, then you may want to consider an alternative divorce method that keeps you out of the courtroom. Read on to discover what terms you and your former spouse must consider and how a seasoned Morristown uncontested divorce lawyer at Graves Andrews, LLC can help you select the right alternative divorce method.
What terms must my former spouse and I consider in an uncontested divorce?
For your uncontested divorce to be successful, you and your former spouse must agree on every divorce-related term at hand. Otherwise, your uncontested divorce may turn into a contested divorce rather quickly. With that being said, you and your former spouse must expect to negotiate on the following terms:
- The terms of your child support, specifically if you share a child.
- The terms of your child custody, specifically joint custody, legal custody, and/or physical custody.
- The terms of your parenting time and/or parental responsibilities over your child.
- The terms of your alimony, specifically how much and how long.
- The terms of your property distribution, specifically for your house, cars, and/or pets.
- The grounds for your divorce, specifically irreconcilable differences or fault grounds.
Once you lay out all these terms, a New Jersey family judge may have to approve them before signing your final divorce decree. There is typically a waiting period of anywhere between three to six months from the time you file your initial paperwork to the time you get your final divorce. Nonetheless, you and your former spouse may still have a quicker turnaround time than if you opted for a contested divorce.
What alternative methods may my former spouse and I consider for an uncontested divorce?
To avoid litigation, you and your former spouse may consider opting for one of three alternative divorce methods available in the state of New Jersey. They are as follows:
- Mediation: here, you and your former spouse may hire a neutral third party (i.e., mediator) who will assist you in finding a solution that works for both of your best interests.
- Collaboration: here, you and your former spouse may each hire an attorney who will assist you in a series of meetings where you may communicate and settle divorce-related issues.
- Arbitration: here, you and your former spouse may hire a neutral third party (i.e., a judge) who will make all necessary final decisions regarding your divorce-related issues.
You must act fast if you want your divorce proceedings to be as seamless as possible. So you should not wait too long before contacting a competent Morris County divorce lawyer from Graves Andrews, LLC.
