For someone going through a divorce in CA, the experience can vary dramatically compared to others’ divorce proceedings. As such, this is reflected in the types of legal avenues and approaches available to individuals who might be dealing with a family law matter in CA.

One of the biggest factors that determines the course of most divorces comes down to one simple question: are you and the soon-to-be-ex willing to work together? If so, this opens the door for an uncontested divorce, a less adversarial approach to a traditional divorce which gives you more control over the proceedings. 

Contested vs Uncontested Divorce

As the name suggests, a contested divorce is a more traditional divorce where both parties may disagree on the major points of the divorce. These typically include matters such as child custody and visitation, how assets and debt are to be split, alimony or spousal support, and more.  

With a contested divorce, you can expect to go through the usual steps involved, To briefly summarize the steps, these are:

1. Consulting with an attorney and mapping out a plan.
2. Serving divorce papers to the other party and making them aware of the intention to divorce.
3. Discovery phase where both spouses provide financial and other key information to the courts.
4. Divorce court and/or agreements and settlements, depending on how the dispute or negotiations proceed.

Each of these steps could involve multiple steps as well as their own complications. If you and the ex are on bad terms, these steps tend to get drawn out even more amidst the fighting and disagreements.

In contrast, an uncontested divorce is a simpler, fast-track divorce that can be leveraged for couples who see eye-to-eye on all or most issues. Not every marriage is eligible for an uncontested divorce, such as in cases where minor children are involved. Nonetheless, for marriages that can expedite their divorce via what is known as a “summary dissolution,” the option is worth exploring due to the many benefits it carries.

Speak with a Trusted Divorce Attorney in CA

If you’re looking to learn more about your options regarding uncontested divorce in CA, start by consulting with a qualified legal expert. Our skilled family law attorneys at the White Oak Law are able to guide you through any kind of divorce or family law situation in CA, and we always cater our approach to every individual’s legal needs. 

Give us a call at 925-271-0999 to speak with us and learn more about how we can help.