What are the Different Types of Divorce?

The two main types of divorce are contested and uncontested divorce.

Why do some people’s divorces lead to a lifetime of bitterness while others appear painless? Part of it has to do with the parties’ attitudes. If you believe that it is no one’s fault that your marriage did not work out and that you and your ex-spouse went into your marriage too young to know what each of you truly wanted from life, then it is easy to accept that both of you must take a financial loss before beginning the next chapter of your lives separately. If, on the other hand, you go into your divorce case determined to cause your ex the greatest possible emotional and financial pain, you will suffer at least as much. From a legal perspective, the complexity of your divorce depends on how financially entangled you and your spouse are; this usually, but not always corresponds to the length of your marriage and the value of your assets. Millionaires above the age of 50 usually have more difficult divorce cases than broke twentysomethings. A Murfreesboro family law attorney can help you choose the best template for your divorce filing.

Uncontested Divorce

Couples can get an uncontested divorce if they can agree on all their property division and parenting issues. Parties often agree to these issues prior to the filing of the divorce. The divorce complaint, marital dissolution agreement, and parenting plan can then be submitted to the court for approval. In many cases, parties reach an understanding at mediation and submit the agreement to the court for approval.

Contested Divorce is the Most Common Option

In a contested divorce, one spouse files a divorce petition, and the other files a response. The parties will attend mediation in an effort to resolve all the disagreements present in the petition and response. Even though it is not painless, most couples can finalize their MDA and parenting plan during mediation, enabling them to accomplish their divorce without going to trial.

Contact a Murfreesboro Divorce Lawyer

A family law attorney can help you through a divorce and all the unexpected issues that can arise. Contact David L. Scott in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, or call (615) 896-7656 to set up a consultation.