Washington, D.C. Uncontested Divorce Lawyer Assists Spouses
Accomplished attorney handles the marriage dissolution process
Divorce usually follows months or years of serious conflict between spouses. Accordingly, many people don’t relish the idea of starting a new series of disputes over custody, property division and other divorce terms. At the Law Offices of Jesse A. Gadson, PLLC in Washington, D.C., I represent clients in uncontested divorces and help spouses reach consensus if there are small differences on certain matters. By coming to an agreement, you can limit the time, expense and aggravation associated with ending your marriage.
What is an uncontested divorce?
When couples divorce, various matters must be resolved before the parties can go their separate ways. Marital property must be divided either through agreement or by a judicial determination as to what is an equitable distribution of martial assets and debts. In some cases, a spouse who has relied on their partner’s income might seek alimony payments until they can meet their own financial needs. If the spouses are parents of one or more minors, the divorce order must address child custody, visitation and support terms. Should parties agree on all of these issues before they go to court, they can save time and money by completing an uncontested divorce. My firm helps parties draft marital settlement agreements covering all of the relevant issues and makes sure that clients understand the consequences of their decisions.
Filing for an uncontested divorce in Washington, D.C.
To dissolve a marriage within Washington, D.C., at least one of the spouses must have lived in the District for six months or more. Marriages are dissolved strictly on a no-fault basis so there is no need to allege that your partner committed adultery or some other type of marital misconduct. You just need to have lived apart voluntarily for at least six months. If both parties did not agree to the separation, this period is extended to 12 months. As an accomplished family law attorney, I will prepare the Complaint for Absolute Divorce along with the marital settlement agreement which should form the basis of the final divorce order issued by the court.
What happens at the court hearing in an uncontested divorce
The spouse who files for divorce is referred to as the plaintiff. Usually, he or she will appear at the hearing held to formalize an uncontested divorce. In some instances, the responding party could be required to attend if their residence within the District is necessary to establish jurisdiction within the D.C. Court. When no aspect of the divorce is contested, the hearing should be brief and consist of basic questions designed to ensure that the court has jurisdiction and that the settlement agreement accurately reflects both parties’ intentions.
When a contested divorce becomes uncontested
Even after divorce litigation has commenced, you can still negotiate a settlement that averts a costly trial. Sometimes, as parties experience the realities of litigation, they are motivated to bridge the gaps between their positions. My firm always looks to achieve the best possible outcome for clients and pursues consensus whenever it is appropriate.
Contact a Washington, D.C. attorney for advice on an uncontested divorce
The Law Offices of Jesse A. Gadson, PLLC represents spouses in uncontested divorces as well as marriage dissolution proceedings where conflicts exist. To schedule a meeting at my Washington, D.C. office, please call 202-972-1343 or contact me online.