Divorces are really hard to deal with, so one of the things that can make this whole train wreck a bit smoother is successful execution. Other than hiring an uncontested divorce lawyer, here are some things you must do if you want an uncontested divorce to go according to plan.
What Is Uncontested Divorce?
An uncontested divorce is a type of divorce in which both partners are present in a court and they go through the terms of the divorce, as proposed by each other and if there are issues, then the court will intervene and resolve them on the spot.
An uncontested divorce needs both partners, as is evident from above, so it’s different from other divorce types where a spouse can apply for divorce on their own. An uncontested divorce is considered to be an amicable divorce because there is a line of communication between the two partners. They can easily request changes to be made in the agreement and come to terms with the new conditions.
With that being said though, not everything will be smooth sailing in an uncontested divorce. Remember that a divorce, regardless of its type, is only amicable if both partners are cooperative. That’s not the case all the time and there might be a lot of hiccups along the way, which is natural. Divorce is hard for everyone, which is why communicating things properly, without being the sacrificial lamb, is key.
An uncontested divorce discusses everything. From child custody to alimony, to visitation rights, and everything in between. These topics are pretty heavy for some people and they want the best outcome for themselves, naturally, and this can lead to a lot of disputes between the parties.
This is why it’s important to know what is worth working on and what’s not. So, there are a couple of things that you need to look out for when you’re face-to-face with an uncontested divorce because, at the end of all of it, you want the best for everyone in this process.
Tips To Follow For A Successful Uncontested Divorce
Here are some amazing tips that will make the process of uncontested divorce easier and successful.
Communication Is Key
First things first, you need to take advantage of the line of communication provided in the process of uncontested divorce. You can’t expect everything to fall at your feet if you’re not asking for it. This is why it’s crucial to speak your thoughts and request any changes in the terms if you don’t feel comfortable or feel like you’re getting the short end of the stick. That’s the whole gist of an uncontested divorce.
Keep Kids A Top Priority
If you have kids and you are going through a divorce, then it’s going to affect them as well. Going from a tight-knit family to becoming strangers isn’t exactly ideal for the kids, so try to make this process as smooth for them as possible.
Whenever you come to the crossroads of making a decision, the best way to make one is to decide what would be good for the kids. Usually, that’s the right way to go and you’ll have an easier time making important decisions in your and your kid’s life.
Be Transparent About Finances
Most people can use divorce as a weapon to get what they want, especially where finances are concerned. For an uncontested divorce to be successful and for everyone to get what they deserve, you need to be transparent with your finances.
It’s better if you have things in your name primarily, but if you don’t, then everything that is in a joint name of you and your partner will go through the process of uncontested divorce and things will be divided as per need. So, to get what’s duly yours, you need to be truthful from the get-go.
Don’t Trust The Wrong People
Divorce is not the time to be naïve and listen to everything that your spouse has to say and offer. An uncontested divorce can turn messy pretty quickly and half the reason for it is because of one party relying too much on the other and excessively being a “yes” person.
Even though most of the time, the other party truly has good intentions and wants to suggest things that are better for you, you still don’t want to close your eyes and trust them blindly.
Make sure that you’re only trusting your divorce attorney Fairfax VA because he/she is the only one who will guide you in the right direction, in the most plain and simplest way.
Mind Your Tongue
Divorce can make you petty and mad and that’s completely normal. What’s not, however, is lashing out at the worst time, a.k.a. in the courtroom in front of your soon-to-be ex-spouse. This is not a good look for you at all.
Negotiations are inevitable and you have to do them, but there is a more civil way to go about them instead of name-calling and demanding things without a care in the world. Think ten times before you speak, because every syllable might have a direct effect on your case.
Flush Out The Emotions
It’s tempting to bottle in all of your emotions inside and push them out at the worst possible times. You might be extremely sad and that’s a given, considering what you’re going through, but you still want to keep your emotions in check.
This is why acknowledging your feelings when you’re alone or with a therapist is important. You’ll find a productive way to flush out all of the anger, hurt, resentment, and betrayal and you will feel like a new person, once you let go of the heavy weight of emotions.
Practice Dignity
There is nothing more classy than being dignified in a courtroom. It speaks volumes for your characters and no one will dare to mess with you. However, it’s not a skill that you can master overnight. With the sudden onslaught of emotion, you can kick dignity to the curb and resort to other forms of unfruitful communication.
Try to compose yourself when you’re in the courtroom and if there are any suggestions or changes in the agreement, then communicate that through your lawyer, and leave the rest to the law. You will see the difference in your perspective once you start to practice dignity and composure.
Keep Track Of Evidence
You have to be smart when dealing with the other party in an uncontested divorce. This doesn’t mean taking advantage or using wrongful ways, by any means, but you need to keep track of all the communication between you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse, in case you want to present some crucial evidence in court.
This will only safeguard your case in the end and you can end up with the upper hand in the proceedings because you played smart.
Conclusion
Uncontested divorce can be is considered easier, but it can be confusing for some, especially if you don’t know what to do at first. Luckily, these tips will help you out a lot. And don’t forget to have an uncontested divorce attorney Fairfax VA on your side for a smooth process.