Frequent questions
How can I tell if my divorce is uncontested?
An uncontested divorce means that neither party disputes anything pertaining
to the divorce. A divorce can be uncontested even if one party refuses to
sign the divorce documents, as long as neither party demands a trial to
dispute any of the issues.
How does this work?
You begin by filling out our questionnaire and submitting it to us with the
appropriate fee. We use the information you provide to prepare a complete
set of documents that you need to file for divorce. Once you receive your
document from us, all you need to do is sign them, have your signatures
notarized and deliver them to the clerk of the court. After that, the court
processes the divorce and issues a final decree.
Do I have to go to court and appear before a judge?
"Go to court" can mean different things. "Going to the courthouse" and "going to trial" are not the same. You do have to go to the courthouse to file
the documents we send you. But you don’t have to go to trial because there
is no trial. A judge might have you come to the courthouse to answer questions
he or she has about your case. Such meetings are not adversary.
Usually the case is handled on the basis of the paperwork alone and the
person filing for divorce never appears before a judge.
How long before my divorce becomes final?
Our aim is to prepare your documents and send them to you within approximately 48 hours of receiving your questionnaire. Your documents arrive ready to be signed
and filed with the court. If your state does not have a mandatory waiting
period, your divorce is usually final within 45 to 90 days of filing. But please
be aware that the time can be affected by the number of cases being
processed.
These states have mandatory the waiting periods listed below:
ARIZONA: 64 DAYS
CALIF0RNIA: 6 MONTHS
IOWA: 90 DAYS
KENTUCKY: 60 DAYS IF THERE ARE CHILDREN - NONE IF NOT
LOUISIANA: 180 DAYS UNLESS LIVING APART FOR 6 MONTHS
OREGON: 90 DAYS
SOUTH DAKOTA: 60 DAYS
TEXAS: 60 DAYS
UTAH: 90 DAYS
VERMONT: 6 MONTHS
WASHINGTON: 90 DAYS
WISCONSIN: 120 DAYS
IF YOUR STATE DOES NOT APPEAR IN THIS LIST, THE WAITING PERIOD IS NO MORE THAN 30 DAYS.
Do I have to pay fees beside yours?
You pay us nothing besides our flat fee, unless you decide to revise your documents after we have complete your case. You have to pay a fee to the
court when you file your documents—the clerk of the court will tell you the
exact amount. Divorces are filed in the State Court, not the county court.
They’re called Circuit Court, District Court, Superior Court, or Family Court.
The clerk’s phone number is listed in the State Government section of your
phone book.
Can I get a divorce using your service if I don't know my spouse’s
whereabouts?
Yes you can. It’s simply a matter of filing the correct paperwork, which
includes an affidavit stating that you don’t know where your spouse is. We
include the affidavit with the documents we send you. After you file, the court,
or you, publishes a notice in the newspaper instead of serving a summons,
as would be done in cases when the spouse’s whereabouts is known.
What if my spouse doesn't consent to the divorce?
Your spouse doesn’t have to consent or sign documents in order for you to
be granted an uncontested divorce. When you tell us your spouse will not
sign, we prepare the documents in the proper format for the court to serve a
summons on your spouse. Even if your spouse ignores the summons the
court will issue the decree without the spouse's signature under a procedure
called "default judgment."
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