Like other Florida residents who are considering divorce, you may be intimidated by the thought of a costly and lengthy court battle. Is there any way to end your marriage in a more civil and less stressful way? You may want to consider an uncontested divorce.
What exactly is uncontested divorce, you may wonder? This is also known as amicable divorce, even if you and your spouse are not feeling very amicable toward each other. In this case, “amicable” applies to the non-confrontational and cooperative nature of the uncontested divorce process.
Those considering an uncontested divorce can usually choose between mediation and collaborative law. Mediation involves sitting with your spouse and an impartial mediator in mediation sessions, during which you will discuss potential solutions to your disputes with your spouse. The mediator may also make suggestions. During a collaborative divorce, everyone involved, including your attorneys, agrees not to litigate. This gives you an incentive to resolve your arguments outside of court, since the attorneys must resign from the case if you are unable to reach an agreed upon solution.
Both collaborative law and mediation have numerous benefits, including the following:
- Typically costing much less than litigation and often involving a flat fee
- Reducing stress and conflict, especially with children
- Teaching you negotiation and communication techniques
- Allowing you to resolve conflict in ways you both can agree upon
- Being private, as opposed to a matter of public record
- Usually taking less time than a litigated divorce
Since each couple’s situation is different, it is important to fully understand your options before deciding which divorce route to take. Uncontested divorce can be beneficial for many people, but it is not for everyone. If your marriage involved domestic violence or substance abuse, or if your spouse is likely to use intimidation tactics or a financial advantage against you, you may be better served by choosing the traditional litigation route.
