Pitfalls of an Uncontested Divorce
If you have decided to end your marriage, you may be considering divorce. And not just any divorce, but an uncontested one. An uncontested divorce means you and your spouse agree to divorce as well as agree on all the main issues, such as property division, spousal support, and child support.
This is the best way to divorce, right? Without any arguing? Not necessarily. While you don’t want an acrimonious divorce that costs tens of thousands of dollars and takes years to resolve, an uncontested divorce is not always in your best interest.
If you and your spouse agree to divorce on your own, without the help of a lawyer, you could make mistakes that will affect the course of your life. You could lose out on certain assets. You may be subject to your spouse’s lies and not find out the truth until much later. You could lose out on important aspects such as alimony and child custody.
An uncontested divorce can work for many couples, but unless you have a solid legal background and know about your assets and legal rights, you could end up making costly mistakes. Here are some pitfalls you should be aware of.
Miscommunication
With an uncontested divorce, there’s more room for communication issues. Agreeing to this divorce does not mean all the issues have been hashed out. Sometimes couples desire to avoid conversation due to ignorance. In any case, when there is a lack of communication, one or both parties may lose out when it comes to property division and other issues.
Hidden Debts or Assets
A contested divorce does come with the benefit of the discovery of assets and debts owned and owed by each spouse. Since you may be splitting these assets and debts equally, it’s a good idea to know what to expect. You may not get this luxury when you sign an uncontested divorce agreement.
Spousal Support
To avoid arguments in an uncontested divorce, you may choose the easy way out and agree to certain things you shouldn’t, such as paying spousal support or not asking for it. Make sure you understand your legal rights. Don’t agree to something just to hasten the process.
Custody and Visitation
An uncontested divorce is not a good choice if you have children. There are often many disagreements about child support and custody. These are issues that need to be discussed thoroughly and fully agreed upon. Don’t risk custody or visitation rights just because you want to expedite your divorce.
Seek Legal Help
An uncontested divorce may make things easier and quicker, but problems can crop up later if there is lying or a lack of communication involved.
Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer Edward J. Jennings, P.A. can help ensure your divorce is done right. Don’t agree to anything without discussing your situation with a lawyer. Schedule a consultation today by filling out the online form or calling 954-764-4330.
