People in Jacksonville, Florida often ask me the question: What is Uncontested Divorce in Jacksonville, Florida? Here is my definition for uncontested divorce:
Husband and Wife agree on how they will divide assets and debts.
- Husband and Wife agree on the amount of child support. This point should be relatively easy to resolve due to the fact Florida sets specific child support guidelines based on income.
- Husband and Wife agree on how they will apportion parenting time and parental responsibility (if the parties have children).
- Husband and Wife agree on whether or not one spouse will pay alimony. If one party will pay alimony, the parties agree on how much alimony will be paid and for how long.
The Uncontested Divorce process has more to do with the agreement of the parties rather any legal or statutory construct. In fact, the term “uncontested divorce” is not specifically referenced in the Florida statutes. While the term uncontested divorce is not specifically referenced in Florida’s statutes, there are several procedural mechanism and forms that are typically utilized.
Aside from the forms that are required to be submitted in all Jacksonville, Florida divorce actions, the most common form utilized is titled Answer, Waiver, and Request for Copy of Final Judgment
of Dissolution of Marriage (“Uncontested Answer”). The Uncontested Answer form agrees with everything in the Petition of the spouse who initiated the divorce proceedings and waives notice of hearings as well as all future notices in connection with the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage.
Handling your divorce as an Uncontested Divorce greatly simplifies the divorce process. While uncontested divorce is much easier than a contested divorce, in most cases the parties will come out ahead by hiring a lawyer to assist them to navigate the procedural requirements of Jacksonville, Florida courts and ensuring the paperwork associated with the uncontested divorce is completed correctly. The value of the time spent learning and navigating the divorce process will often be greater than the low flat rate many lawyers charge to handle uncontested divorce matters in Jacksonville, Florida.
If you have questions about Uncontested Divorce in Jacksonville, Florida and the surrounding areas, please contact your Uncontested Divorce Lawyer in Jacksonville, Florida. The Taylor Law Office phone number is 904-339-5298.
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