Uncontested Divorce: You already agree.
Here is the shorter path.
I'm Chris Taylor, a Jacksonville divorce and family law attorney. An uncontested divorce means that the parties have reached a complete agreement on all issues in their case. Typically, the parties must agree on the equitable distribution of marital assets and liabilities, whether either party will pay alimony, and, if minor children are involved, the parenting plan, time-sharing schedule, parental responsibility, and child support. An uncontested divorce can save substantial time and money and can help preserve a working relationship between the parties.
The process
The uncontested divorce process.
The basic process is as follows:
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01
Initial meeting and review of the agreement.
You and I meet to review the agreement you have reached with your spouse and to make sure it addresses the issues required under Florida law. Please note that I can represent only one spouse. I will meet with and provide legal advice only to the spouse who retains my office.
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02
Exchange of financial affidavits.
The parties prepare and exchange financial affidavits so that each party has an opportunity to review the other party's financial information before signing the final agreement.
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03
Parenting course.
If the parties have minor children, both parties are generally required to complete the Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course before the divorce is finalized.
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04
Preparation and filing of the case.
I prepare the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and the other documents necessary to begin the case. After the case is filed, and after the parties have exchanged financial affidavits and reviewed the proposed agreement, the parties sign the agreement. I also prepare the proposed Consent Final Judgment and, when applicable, the Parenting Plan and other necessary documents. Your spouse may consult with independent legal counsel before signing the agreement.
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05
Final hearing.
We attend a short final hearing before the judge. The hearing usually takes only a few minutes. If everything is in order, the Court enters the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage and the parties are divorced.
Advantages
Advantages of an uncontested divorce.
An uncontested divorce offers several advantages.
It can preserve a working relationship between the parties, which is particularly important when children are involved.
It is also typically substantially more cost effective than proceeding with a contested divorce.
The process is usually much faster. An uncontested divorce can often be completed within approximately 30 to 60 days, compared with many months or more than a year in a contested case.
Is it right for you
When an uncontested divorce may not be a good option.
An uncontested divorce is not appropriate in every case.
One potential disadvantage is the lack of formal discovery. If you do not fully understand your spouse’s income, assets, liabilities, or other important financial information, formal discovery may be necessary before you can make an informed decision.
An uncontested divorce may also be inappropriate when there is a significant power imbalance between the parties or when one spouse is not able to negotiate freely and fairly.
The goal should not simply be to resolve the case quickly. The parties should have sufficient information to make informed decisions and reach an equitable agreement.
Fees
Uncontested divorce fees.
For an uncontested divorce without minor children, The Taylor Law Office charges a flat attorney’s fee of $1,975, plus costs.
For an uncontested divorce involving minor children, the flat attorney’s fee is $2,400, plus costs.
Additional costs may include court filing fees, preparation of Qualified Domestic Relations Orders, real estate deeds or other post-judgment property transfers, postage, and other case specific expenses.
High net worth cases and cases involving complex marital estates may require additional legal work and additional fees.
If you earn less than $50,000 per year, The Taylor Law Office may offer special pricing on a case by case basis.
Common questions
What people ask about uncontested divorce.
Do we both have to go to court?
The final hearing is short, usually a few minutes, and I attend it with you. Tell me your circumstances and I will tell you what the court will require in your case.
What is a simplified divorce?
A streamlined version of uncontested divorce with stricter requirements: no minor or dependent children and no pregnancy, agreement on all property and debt, and neither spouse asking for alimony. As with every Florida divorce, one of you must have lived in Florida for the six months before filing. Both of you sign the petition and attend the final hearing, and both of you give up the right to a trial and to an appeal. It suits short marriages with little property. If you have children, a regular uncontested divorce is the path.
What if we agree on most things but not everything?
Then you are close, and it is worth a conversation before anyone files. Sometimes one meeting settles the last issue. If not, mediation is the next step, and it is still a long way short of a contested trial. See divorce mediation.
I hired Chris to handle my uncontested divorce, and I highly recommend him. He was very personable and very quick to respond to any questions or concerns that I had.
- Two decades of practice
- Divorce and family law exclusively
- 10/10 Avvo rating
- Barrister, Florida Family Law Inn of Court
Free 45-minute case review
Bring what you’ve agreed.
Contact my office to determine whether an uncontested divorce is appropriate for your situation and what fee would apply to your case.
