Hot Springs Uncontested Divorce Lawyers
Arkansas attorneys helping couples resolve divorce efficiently
Uncontested divorce in Arkansas is typically faster and can be far less stressful than going to court. The Hot Springs uncontested divorce lawyers from Schnipper, Britton & Stobaugh have decades of experience protecting spouses’ interests during negotiations over parenting and financial arrangements. We seek to help our clients navigate the divorce process in the smoothest way possible so that they can move on effectively with their lives.
Key requirements for filing an uncontested divorce in Arkansas
The key requirements for getting an uncontested divorce in Arkansas is agreement on all the pertinent issues, including property division, child custody, visitation, child support, alimony and the grounds for divorce. If you file on no-fault grounds, you must have lived separately and apart for at least 18 months. You or your spouse must have lived in Arkansas for at least 60 days before filing. You will then fill out the complaint and other applicable paperwork before filing with the Circuit Court for the county where you live.
Reaching agreement on property and debt division
It can take time to reach agreement on issues, so you do not have to wait until filing the petition. You can begin discussing how property will be divided when you are first seriously considering divorce. These types of martial assets are common to many couples and how they will be split has to be decided:
- Bank accounts
- Retirement funds
- The marital home
- Cars and other motor vehicles
You may have additional assets such as investment accounts or vacation property. Marital debts must also be divided. An experienced Hot Springs divorce lawyer can help you pursue a fair, comprehensive resolution.
Child custody and parenting agreements
When you have minor children, you must agree upon a parenting plan to get an uncontested divorce. Parenting plans in Arkansas include terms related to the following:
- Decision-making authority related to education, healthcare and other areas
- Responsibilities of each parent
- Child custody arrangements, meaning who the child lives with day-to-day
- Visitation schedules
- Holiday and vacation schedules
As family law attorneys with extensive experience helping parents navigate sensitive child custody matters, we give parents the best chance to overcome disputes and formulate a plan that is in everyone’s best interests.
Child support and spousal considerations
In divorce, the non-custodial parent typically pays child support to their former partner. To get an uncontested divorce, parents must agree on who pays support and how much. Coming up with a mutually agreeable amount can be challenging and confusing. As long-time family law attorneys in the state, we understand Arkansas child support guidelines and the factors judges consider in support determinations We will help you arrive at a figure based on these guidelines and any factors that might support deviating from the standard calculation. Our firm can also counsel you regarding alimony if that is a concern in your divorce.
Steps in the uncontested divorce process
Basic steps in the uncontested divorce process include:
- Filing the divorce petition and associated paperwork with the court
- Serving the other spouse with the petition
- Negotiating and signing off on a settlement agreement
- Presenting the settlement agreement to the court for review
- Attending a final hearing to finalize the divorce (if required by the court)
Our uncontested divorce lawyers will help you in completing the process as quickly as possible under the circumstances. However, there is a 30-day waiting period for divorce in Arkansas after filing. Even if you are in complete agreement and everything progresses quickly and smoothly, the marriage cannot be dissolved until that period ends.
Contact an uncontested divorce attorney in Hot Springs
The attorneys at Schnipper, Britton & Stobaugh in Hot Springs assist with all aspects of the uncontested divorce process in Arkansas. Call our law firm at 501-762-0887 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.