A no contest divorce in Atlanta is without a doubt the least expensive and fastest way to get a divorce in Atlanta Georgia. A no contest divorce is synonymous with the term uncontested divorce and agreed divorce. The concept is the same. The parties to the divorce reach their own agreement. That agreement is transformed into a legal document and filed with the court electronically, by scanning it into the PeachCourt portal used in most counties.

Although the parties to a no contest to divorce in Atlanta can sit down and draft their own agreement, it is unlikely that such an agreement could be filed with the court, as it would lack certain key provisions that should be included in a settlement agreement submitted to the court. A more efficient way to go about reaching an agreement is to fill out the intake form or settlement agreement by the parties that the uncontested divorce attorney sends to the parties via email. Settlement agreements in no contest divorces in Atlanta must have a certain logic to them. Some of the elements of a full up legal settlement agreement include the full name and address of the parties, date of marriage and separation, a separation clause, alimony, waiver of discovery, full disclosure, and disposition of assets and liabilities.

In no contest divorces with children, the pleadings must include the complaint, acknowledgment of service, agreement to try at first term, waiver of venue where necessary, a settlement agreement, child support worksheets and schedules, a parenting plan, certificates of attendance at an online divorcing parents seminar and all the intake forms. In addition, a proposed final judgment and decree of divorce along with courtesy copies of the pleadings must be submitted to the assigned judge. Although all this is theoretically possible by parties representing themselves, the flat fee for no contest divorces processed by an attorney is typically so low and the process so fast that there is little reason for the parties to try a DIY divorce.

DON’T LITIGATE: AGREED DIVORCE IS EASIER

Most parties seeking a divorce with a minimum of understanding of the cost and emotional toll involved choose and agreed divorce in Atlanta over litigation. And agreed divorce is synonymous with an uncontested divorce or a no contest divorce.

A survey in 2018 by Martindale Avvo showed that a contested divorce that goes to a final hearing averages $15,000 without children and $23,000 with children. Compare this to the typical flat rate for an agreed divorce, which is $495 without children and $995 with children.

But by far the greatest difference between an agreed divorce and a divorce that goes to trial is the length of time and emotional distress caused by litigation. The COVID pandemic has of course disrupted the court system for over a year now there have been just a few hearings and trials for the more urgent matters via Zoom. Most parties seeking a contested divorce have resigned themselves to waiting two years before their case can be heard. So my advice is don’t litigate, go for an agreed divorce in Atlanta.