What is the difference between an uncontested and contested divorce?

An uncontested divorce in Virginia is when both spouses agree to the terms of the divorce. This includes issues such as division of property, custody of children, and alimony payments. With an uncontested divorce, you typically don’t need to appear in court and both spouses will sign the necessary documents. Since both spouses agree on all terms, the process is often much faster and cost-effective. A contested divorce, on the other hand, means that the two spouses cannot agree on the terms of the divorce. When this happens, either spouse can file a lawsuit in the appropriate court and it then becomes a matter for the court to decide. In a contested divorce, there may be several court appearances, disagreements over parenting plans, division of assets, and agreements about child support or alimony. The length of the divorce process can become long and drawn out. Additionally, contested divorces tend to be more expensive and drawn out than uncontested divorces due to the court process.

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