Going through a divorce is never easy. It can be an emotionally difficult process, as well as a complicated legal one. In Alabama, if you and your spouse agree to the terms of the divorce without dispute, you may be able to proceed with what is known as an uncontested divorce.
In an uncontested divorce, both parties agree that they are legally separated and understand what the financial and custodial arrangements will entail. For example, both spouses must agree on how they will divide their assets such as property, debts and investments. They must also agree on matters such as child custody and support payments.
If all matters can be agreed upon out of court between the two parties or with the help of their respective attorneys or a mediator, then an uncontested divorce can be pursued. This type of divorce is often much faster than a contested divorce because there isn’t any litigation or court hearings involved. In many instances it takes only four months from start to finish for an uncontested divorce in Alabama to become final; however this timeframe can be shortened if both parties are motivated to move through the process quickly.
When filing for an uncontested divorce in Alabama, there are certain requirements that need to be met by both parties before it can be approved by a judge. These include:
Both spouses must have been living separately for at least 6 months • Both spouses must submit separate financial disclosures that list income and expenses • One spouse (the petitioner) must file a complaint with the court • Both spouses must sign parenting agreements regarding child support or alimony payments (if applicable) • Both spouses must sign ironclad settlement agreements that outline how they plan to divide assets and debts (if applicable)
Once all documents have been filed with the court and signed off on by both parties, then a hearing date is set where the judge will review all documents submitted by each party. If all paperwork has been completed correctly then it’s likely that your request for an uncontested divorce will be granted during this hearing; however if issues arise during this time then further negotiation may still be needed before your case is finalized.
Getting divorced doesn’t have to be a drawn-out legal battle between two former partners. An uncontested divorce in Alabama allows couples who have amicably decided to separate to come up with mutually beneficial settlements without having to go through lengthy court proceedings which usually involve more time and expense than necessary. While it’s not always possible for couples to agree on everything outright due to differences in opinion, negotiating terms outside of court usually leads to faster results with less complication overall if done properly with an experienced uncontested divorce lawyer in Alabama.
Leave a Reply