Uncontested divorce, explained
The fastest, cheapest divorce is the one nobody fights about. Here's what "uncontested" actually means — and how the process works start to finish.
A divorce is uncontested when both spouses agree on the things a court cares about: how property and debt get divided, and — if there are children — custody, parenting time, and support. Agree on those, and there's nothing left for a judge to decide. The case becomes paperwork, not litigation.
Why it's faster and cheaper
A contested divorce bills by the hour and drags on as long as the fight does. An uncontested filing is a known quantity: one flat fee, every form prepared for you, and a timeline measured in months, not years. Across New York, New Jersey, and Florida it usually runs four to eight months from signed agreement to final judgment.
What the process looks like
- Intake. A short questionnaire: where you married, children, property, income, and the basics.
- Drafting. Your attorney prepares the complaint or petition, the settlement agreement, and every state-specific form — child support worksheets, parenting plans, financial disclosures.
- Signing. Both spouses review and sign; we notarize virtually where the state allows it.
- Filing & finish. We file with the court, handle service, and carry the case through to the judge's signature.
When it isn't the right fit
If there's hidden money, a safety concern, or a real deadlock over custody, you want a lawyer fighting for you, not a flat-fee filing. But for couples who mostly agree and just want it done, uncontested is almost always the right call. Not sure which bucket you're in? The 60-second check on our home page is a good place to start.
General information, not legal advice.