Uncontested Divorce
Divorce comes in many forms. All of them can be difficult, but the form with the least amount of hassle is the uncontested divorce or no-contest divorce. The case of an uncontested divorce is ideal, as it has the least amount of time spent taking legal action versus a contested divorce.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind before determining that your divorce is indeed uncontested. For one thing, the State of Alabama recognizes the distinction between a fault and no-fault divorce. Each has different grounds for which a divorce can be sought, but it boils down to whether or not one person is petitioning the court for a divorce on the basis of wrongdoing or violence.
In Alabama, you do not have to assign fault to your spouse in order to get a divorce. No-fault reasons for divorce are as follows:
You and your spouse are determined to be completely incompatible, through no fault of each of your own.
You and your spouse have experienced an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, and spending time attempting a reconciliation is not in the best interest of yourselves or your children.
Your spouse has abandoned you, and you’re seeking a divorce on those grounds.
These factors are relatively open to interpretation, but effectively, you may seek a no-fault divorce if both parties agree to separate amicably without trying to prove any wrongdoing.
The next step in the process is to fulfill the residency requirement, meaning at least one of you must have lived in the state of Alabama for a period of six months or longer prior to filing. Next, you and your lawyer prepare the initial divorce papers.
Even in uncontested divorces, the normal process of any divorce still applies. The person filing is considered the Plaintiff, and the person being served is the Defendant. Your papers will include a complaint and a summons and will list the grounds and terms you want to settle on before ending your marriage contract, including property division, alimony, spousal support, child custody, and child support.
The essential part of an uncontested divorce is in the settlement agreement which will affect your divorce decree. To have an uncontested divorce, the Defendant must agree on terms that would properly define all of the matters listed above. With an uncontested divorce, an agreement is drafted and mailed to the opposing party. If the opposing party agrees, they will sign all the documents, then our client signs, then the papers are filed with the court after each party signs the agreement.
Though this is the easiest way to get a divorce, the paperwork and logistics can be quite daunting. That is why it is important that you work with an uncontested divorce attorney. The Herlihy Family Law firm and divorce lawyers have years of working with families and can ensure that your divorce process goes as smoothly as possible. Call us today to schedule a consultation!
Ready to File for Uncontested Divorce?
We’ve made it easy and affordable for you to file your uncontested divorce in Mobile County. Our Uncontested Divorce Packet contains all of the necessary paperwork you will need to properly file your uncontested divorce.
This is only for those who have lived in Mobile County for at least the last six months and do not have any children. Please make sure you meet these requirements as there is a strict no refund policy.
