What Happens at an Uncontested Divorce Hearing?

Not every divorce has to be fights, arguments, and heated legal battles. In fact, many open and close without a hitch due to both divorcees knowing what they want from the divorce and what is reasonable. When there are no disputes over an important aspect of the divorce agreement, such as child support or the division of assets and debt, it is known as an uncontested divorce.

For divorcees, courts, and legal professionals alike, uncontested divorces are generally considered the ideal way to dissolve a marriage. Since there is no conflict that needs resolution at the end of a judge’s gavel, the entire divorce procedure tends to be much quicker than other types of divorce, like a contested one. This saves everyone time but also saves the two divorcing spouses money since there should only be one courtroom hearing. Knowing what to expect in this hearing can simplify the already streamlined process further.

In your uncontested divorce hearing, you can expect:

1. Your attorney should file all necessary paperwork for your hearing and uncontested divorce well in advance before the actual date of the hearing. You can bring extra copies for yourself if you wish, but it should not be needed.
2. Upon entering the courtroom, you may need to wait behind the gate in the seating area for your case to actually go before the judge. Your attorney will instruct you when to actually approach the bench.
3. You and your spouse will be called up to the judge’s bench, either separate or together. It is supposed to be an uncontested, amicable divorce, so do not be surprised if you are called together.
4. The judge will review your uncontested divorce agreement and ask questions to either of you. You can instruct your attorney to speak on your behalf if you are nervous or just not comfortable with some of the legalese. If your uncontested divorce was drafted properly, the questions should be fairly straightforward and easy to answer.
5. When everything is reviewed and there were no disagreements over the stipulations and rules in the divorce agreement, you and your now-ex-spouse will sign the paperwork to make it official. An official divorce is not necessarily a finalized one, though. Talk to your attorney to see if there is anything else you should expect or do.

If you are preparing to divorce your spouse and want to keep the matter uncontested, you can come to Moskowitz Law Group, LLC and tell our Hackensack divorce lawyers your objectives during a free initial consultation. With more than 50 years of collective legal experience under our belts, we are confident we have the skills and knowledgeability to lead your case to success without compromising your best interests. Call 201.419.6223 at any time to connect with our team.