Marriage is one of the oldest and most universal institutions in the entire world, traditionally designed to marge families and create a man-woman household and their children. This continues today, although LGBT groups have made great strides in recognizing same-sex marriages as well in many parts of the world. Same-sex households are well known for adopting children. All the same, while marriage is nearly universal, divorce is also common in many parts of the world, and the United States today, divorce rates are nearly 50% or so. There are a number of reasons why a divorce might end, and divorcing spouses have a number of options, from turning to family law providers to securing uncontested divorce forms and an affordable divorce lawyer if need be. Not all divorces are dramatic enough to involve battling lawyers and messy childhood custody issues, though some certainly are. Why might divorce take place, and how can someone secure uncontested divorce forms?
On Divorce
Studies are done to research why Americans choose to divorce their spouses, and a number of trends have emerged. Infidelity has been identified as the most common cause of divorce today, when one spouse is unfaithful to the other. Both men and women cheat, but sometimes for different reasons, and getting caught may soon result in a file for divorce. Another common reason is drug or alcohol abuse on one spouse’s part, and a drug or alcohol abuser may in turn be abusive toward other members of their household. Excessive substance abuse may also be a financial strain, as many drug addicts will go to any length to fuel and fund their habit. Verbal, physical, or sexual abuse on a spouse’s part will often prompt a divorce proceeding as well.
Less dramatic but no less valid causes for divorce may occur, too. The two spouses may simply have very different lifestyles, personalities, or spending habits, and a lack of compatibility may be a subtle but very real reason for divorce. Some studies show that two people who date for three or more years before their engagement are more likely to maintain their union than those who get engaged before a full year of dating. When, then, is it time for uncontested divorce forms or hiring a divorce attorney?
Uncontested Divorces
Not all divorces are a legal battleground. Sometimes, the two divorcing spouses may be able to agree on the divorce’s terms, such as division of property and assets, money, respective living arrangements, and child custody. Should this happen, the spouses will need legal assistance such as a mediator, but probably not need divorce lawyers to represent them. The spouses may refer to their home state’s bar association for the correct uncontested divorce forms, and the spouses may download or print those uncontested divorce forms and fill them out as needed. Each spouse may fill in personal and relevant information such as their address, phone number, date of birth, social security number (SSN), and more. The cause for divorce must also be written, and in the case of uncontested divorce, a reason such as “poor compatibility” will likely be accepted as a valid reason. Copies of this form may be made, with one being kept for personal records. Meanwhile, another copy is filed at the state district court, and a fee will be paid. For 50-90 days or so, the petition will have a waiting period, and in that time, one of the spouses may choose to contest the divorce after all.
Contested Divorces
More serious problems such as physical abuse or drug use may prompt a contested divorce, and one of the spouses may even relocate to a private, safe residence during this time to avoid their other spouse (and may take under-18 children with them). The spouse filing for divorce may hire a lawyer from a divorce law firm to file for the divorce, and the other spouse may hire their own lawyer to represent their interests as well. The spouses may act almost entirely through their lawyers, and if need be, child custody lawyers may be involved as well. Children who are 12 years old and over may even consult the court’s judge privately about their preferences about who they will live with during and after the divorce.
