When you married, you and your spouse had common goals. Whatever drove you apart, the odds are high that your goals no longer converge.
What’s the problem? Well, if you want to have an uncontested divorce, you and your spouse have to find some sense of unity.
What’s an uncontested divorce?
An uncontested divorce is one where you and your spouse agree to work together to reach an agreement on all the issues that have to be settled (such as the division of assets and debts, parenting time with any minor children and financial support) without resorting to outside intervention through the court. Uncontested divorces are generally the easiest, most cost-effective and fastest way forward when a couple is ready to party ways and move on.
Can you and your spouse get on the same page?
To be effectively able to come to a negotiating table and work out all the details of your split with your spouse can be difficult, especially if either (or both) of you are still emotionally wounded by whatever led to your breakup. Here are some strategies that can help you foster a spirit of cooperation during your divorce process:
- Communicate openly and honestly: Explain to your spouse that you don’t want to make the divorce harder, more stressful or more time-consuming than necessary. Clearly express your thoughts and feelings about the benefits of working together and the potential positive outcomes for you both (and your children, if you have any).
- Emphasize the practical advantages: Point out that an uncontested divorce can reduce both your legal fees (leaving more money available for starting over), help you get a faster resolution and allow you both to maintain some control over the decisions that have to be made.
- Look to the future: Whether you hope to remain friends with your spouse or you’ll still be co-parenting together, the uncontested divorce can help you set that stage. You’re both less likely to walk away embittered by the process or feel like you got an unfair deal.
Convincing your spouse to work together on an uncontested divorce is a delicate process. By choosing the right time and setting, openly discussing the benefits and focusing on the future, however, you can pave the way for a smoother and more amicable divorce process.