Uncontested Divorce in Iowa

Amicable, Cost-Effective Dissolution of Marriage

At the Hope Law Firm P.L.C., we are determined to help our clients achieve their goals in the most cost-effective manner possible. Uncontested divorce is an efficient process that saves the cost of having to litigate one or more issues of your divorce. Though the uncontested process is not possible for all couples, it is always worth discussing.

Since you can still litigate those issues you fail to reach agreement on, there’s no reason not to try. However, your chances of success are greater with an experienced family law attorney who focuses on your best interests every step of the way. That’s the type of representation you get from the Hope Law Firm in West Des Moines.

What Is an Uncontested Divorce?

When a couple decides to dissolve their marriage, they need a decree from the court; but that doesn’t mean the couple must let the court rule on every issue of their divorce. Couples can submit to the court a marital settlement agreement, explaining the terms they want for each of their ancillary issues, child custody, spousal support, division of property, and so on.

If the terms of the agreement are fair and do not violate the law or public policy, then the court generally signs off, confirming those terms in the divorce decree.

Uncontested divorce in Iowa has many advantages, such as:

• Reducing the time it takes for the divorce to be granted
• Reducing court costs
• Eliminating the chance of arbitrary court decisions
• Attaining cooperative work between spouses lays groundwork for co-parenting after divorce

However, even with all these obvious advantages, an uncontested divorce is not easy to achieve.

Set Yourself Up for a Successful Uncontested Divorce

If you want an uncontested divorce, then advanced planning is essential. Consult an attorney well ahead of time and discuss your intentions with your spouse before filing for your uncontested divorce in Iowa. It’s often possible for couples, negotiating with their attorneys, to work out a complete marital dissolution agreement before filing.

In cases where there has been pre-planning, couples can use the mandatory waiting period to mediate contentious issues, so when the 90-day term ends, they have a settlement ready to present to the court. However, if you blindside your spouse with divorce papers, then you’ll have a difficult time getting any cooperation during the divorce process.

Cost-Effective, Time-Saving Divorce – The Hope Law Firm

Our dedicated family law attorneys can help you reach a fair settlement for your uncontested divorce. Couples throughout Iowa can rely on the Hope Law Firm for cost-effective representation. Call us at (515) 298-5056 or contact our West Des Moines office online to schedule an appointment, often within 24 hours.