When a married couple can no longer stay together, divorcing is sometimes the best option. Depending on who you talk to or what you read, you might assume that the process is time-consuming and anger-inducing. Fortunately, that’s far from the truth for Tennessee couples going through an uncontested divorce.
Understanding an uncontested divorce
An uncontested divorce lets a couple end their marriage without taking one another to court. Instead of a judge deciding your divorce’s terms, choosing an uncontested divorce lets you and your spouse make these decisions. An uncontested divorce can also happen when one person fails to respond to their spouse’s divorce summons.
An uncontested divorce can allow estranged couples to agree on several possible issues, including:
- Dividing assets
- Determining child custody
- Figuring out alimony
- Splitting debts
The main benefits of uncontested divorces
For divorcing couples who can work together, there are several benefits of an uncontested divorce. This is great for two adults wanting to complete the process as fast as possible, especially since neither party depends on a judge’s input or case schedule.
Another advantage of uncontested divorces is saving money. When couples disagree on the terms of their divorce, this is a contested one. Contested divorces typically require lawyers for each party to step in. Understandably, these professionals must receive payment for the services they provide.
While convenient, an uncontested divorce isn’t always possible. An uncontested divorce is typically more common when couples don’t share children or considerable assets from their former marriage. Once an uncontested divorce begins, even a single disagreement will shift this situation to a contested one.