Although divorce is never very easy, many couples come to the conclusion that ending the marriage is necessary for the health and well-being of both partners. When this is the case, a couple is often able to complete a large portion of the divorce negotiation on their own, only requiring legal assistance with actually completing the process. Such a situation is often referred to as an uncontested divorce, meaning both parties are invested in finalizing the divorce with as little acrimony as possible, while setting their own divorce terms along the way.

Uncontested Divorce Grounds

It may surprise many to learn that a divorce on any grounds can be handled as an uncontested divorce, including no grounds at all. While the law in Illinois provides specific conditions, or grounds, under which the court may grant a divorce, the manner in which the marital dissolution is to be negotiated is not specified. This means that, while the reason for the divorce may be infidelity or alcohol abuse, for example, a couple may still be able to arrange for all of the necessary considerations without resorting to costly and contentious litigation. Of course, uncontested divorce is most common among those divorcing on the grounds of irreconcilable differences, rather than grounds related to the fault of one spouse.

Considerations in Any Divorce

Most divorcing couples have a pretty good idea of the arrangements that need to be made during the divorce process, contested or not. These include, very generally:

• Division of property, assets, and debt;
• Child custody and visitation;
• Child support; and
• Spousal maintenance/support

The challenge, however, lies in the specific details within each of these categories. For example, property division can include dividing or selling off a family business and the valuation of complicated long-term investments. A couple can easily believe they have covered all of the important issues, only to discover later that something had been missed.

Legal Help with Your Uncontested Divorce

Just as your marriage represented a legal arrangement and contract between you and your spouse, a divorce does as well. A thorough and comprehensive divorce agreement is vital to facilitating the divorce process, in addition to providing you and your ex-spouse peace of mind for years to come. While you may be looking to avoid the unnecessary stress of a litigated divorce, a qualified divorce lawyer can help you complete your uncontested divorce by reviewing all the details and filing all of the required forms and documents. You will know that everything has been done correctly, allowing you to begin the next stage in your life.

For help in completing your uncontested divorce, contact an experienced Will County family law attorney. We will work with you to ensure that your needs are met, while avoiding the hassle of a messy, contentious divorce proceeding. Call today to schedule your free consultation.