If you and your spouse are considering divorce but want to avoid litigation, you might work together to negotiate the terms of your divorce out of court. At Anne E. Raduns, PA, we work to empower you so you can move on with your life. You can take control over your divorce by working with your spouse to create a marital settlement agreement. People who work together to create the terms of their Agreement are more likely to obey the terms of their Agreement.

There are important steps to take to protect your rights even in an uncontested divorce. While an uncontested divorce may seem easier to handle, you still want a marital settlement agreement that protects your rights, especially where children and property are concerned. At Anne E. Raduns, PA, we help individuals handle every aspect of their uncontested divorce.

Our family law attorney, Anne E. Raduns, understands that there are a variety of factors that may lead to a divorce. She also understands that even an uncontested divorce can have unexpected consequences for both parties. That is why Ms. Raduns will take the time to listen to your immediate concerns and help you come up with a long-term plan.

If you are going through an uncontested divorce, determine what your rights are before giving them up. It is important to find out exactly what your rights and obligations are and then decide if you want to waive them. You may have rights that you did not even know about.

An uncontested divorce is often a "flat-fee" divorce (where the exact price is set from the beginning of the case). Although an uncontested divorce may appear straightforward, there are a number of documents the court requires. They include a civil cover sheet, parties’ information sheet, filing of social security numbers, and financial affidavits to name a few. If there are children involved, the parents will be required to attend a court-approved parenting class. Depending on the age of the children and the county in which the Dissolution is being filed, children may be required to attend classes as well.

Working together towards a peaceful divorce can alleviate the uncertainty of litigation and allows you to create terms that you and your spouse are comfortable with. Doing so can help prevent the need to modify the order in the future.

An Amicable Divorce

A marriage settlement agreement is a contract between married persons that stipulates how the divorce will be accomplished with regard to the following:

• Division of property and debts
• Spousal support
• Child custody and visitation
• Payment of attorneys' fees

People who are planning to divorce often believe that they can create their own "marriage settlement agreements" through use of a "do-it-yourself-divorce" service or use of legal forms available on the Internet. There are big risks involved in "doing it yourself" that representation by a well-qualified lawyer can prevent. For example, a judge may reject a marriage settlement agreement with demands that certain changes be made. An attorney can readily resolve such technicalities in a way that a layperson may be unable to accomplish without making costly errors.

Contact Law Office of Anne E. Raduns, PA to learn how we can cost effectively protect your interests through a properly prepared marriage settlement agreement. Ensure that important clauses and terms included in your marriage settlement agreement will make it valid and enforceable.