The coronavirus pandemic and subsequent shelter in place orders have made getting a traditional divorce quite difficult. Many states are working hard to resume court responsibilities, but there are case backlogs and an uptick in divorce filings. The process is also being slowed down as the court system works to comply with social distancing and new health regulations. Getting a divorce was a long and tedious process before the global pandemic, and many of these new realities mean a traditional divorce could take much longer than before. However, if you and your spouse are in agreement about the end of your relationship, then an uncontested divorce may be the best option for you.
Benefits of an Uncontested Divorce
Regardless of how long you were married, a divorce is a stressful and painful experience. It’s understandable to want to finalize your divorce as soon as possible so you can move forward. When divorcing spouses are in agreement, and both want an amicable divorce, an uncontested divorce can be the perfect solution during these challenging times. With court systems backlogged and social distancing concerns, filing paperwork and limited time spent in court may be the course of action for many divorcing couples.
There are many benefits to an uncontested divorce, like:
- Cost: An uncontested divorce is the cheapest way to get divorced.
- Time: Generally speaking, uncontested divorced are less time consuming and quicker.
- Privacy: There are fewer documents to file, so less information becomes public.
- Safer: You won’t need to go to as many meetings in public or visits to court.
It may seem more difficult than ever to file for a divorce and reach an agreement. With courts reducing their schedules and much of the legal community conducting business over teleconferencing software, an uncontested divorce can help you avoid the line by helping you skip to the end phase.
An Uncontested Divorce in Pennsylvania
Opting for an uncontested divorce in Pennsylvania means hammering out all the details and reaching an agreement without the need to show up for court. The divorcing parties would need to complete a divorce settlement with the following agreed-upon details:
- Custody and parenting responsibility of any minor children
- Amounts and timeframes for child support
- Amounts and timeframes for spousal support
- Division of all property and debt
If each party can agree on the details of the divorce, then they can effectively skip to the end of the process and file the required paperwork and wait for a judge to approve the agreement. Approval is typically straight forward, but a judge may request hiring if the settlement agreement seems unfair to one party or if a party was coerced into signing the document.
Final Considerations
If you and your partner are sure you want a divorce and you are in agreement on the details of your split, then you can save money and time by filing for an uncontested divorce. Most family and divorce lawyers have the tools and expertise to help you file the paper or answer any questions you may have about the process.
At Cairns Law Offices, we specialize in no-fault divorces for only $299. If the idea of a low-cost, amicable divorce appeals to you, contact us today to get started! Call us today at (888) 863-9115 to schedule a consultation.
