3 differences between divorce and dissolution

by | Jun 13, 2017 | blog, Firm News

Ending a marriage is never ideal, but there are some ways of doing it that are far less painless than others. You likely already know what a divorce entails, but you may be less familiar with the process of dissolving a marriage. Each of these has its own pros and cons that you should be aware of, and one is not necessarily right for every couple.

These are the major differences to take into consideration when you are seeking to separate.

Whether it is contested

Filing for divorce is generally appropriate if one spouse alleges that the other is at fault for the separation or if one spouse contests the filing. In such circumstances, because the case will go to court, details of property division and the divorce agreement will be finalized later. If both spouses agree to end the marriage, however, with no contest, you may file instead for a dissolution.

Timing of settlement

When you get married, you join many parts of your life with your spouse’s, and separating them can be messy. This is why many divorces are in court for an extended period. According to the Huffington Post, there are ways to settle without going to court. Dissolution is one way to do so, and this option allows you and your spouse to settle prior to filing rather than after as you would with a divorce.

Expense and timeline

Going to court is notoriously expensive. You will likely have to pay for an attorney to represent you throughout the ordeal, and you will not be able to settle until the very end. This is what you can expect when you file for divorce, but when you file for a dissolution, your expenses and projected timeline are likely to be massively reduced.

If you are ending a marriage, investing in legal counsel is a wise move. Contact an attorney for more information.

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