Civil
Dothan Uncontested Divorce Lawyer
If you and your spouse already agree on everything, your divorce should not take months of meetings. We handle uncontested divorces for a flat fee, by phone and email, without a sit-down intake.
The short answer
An uncontested divorce in Alabama is one where both spouses agree on every issue: property, debts, alimony, and, if there are children, custody, visitation, and child support. Dothan Law Group handles uncontested divorces for a flat fee, without a sit-down intake meeting. Alabama law generally requires a 30-day wait after filing before a divorce can be final. We do not handle contested divorces.
- Fee
- Flat fee, quoted up front
- Intake
- By phone and email; no sit-down meeting needed
- Who qualifies
- Both spouses agree on every issue
- Alabama waiting period
- Generally at least 30 days after filing
- Contested cases
- Not accepted at this time
- Attorney
- Niki Blumentritt Pierce
Dothan Law Group now handles uncontested divorces for people in Dothan, Houston County, and across the Wiregrass. Attorney Niki Blumentritt Pierce handles these cases. We charge a flat fee, and the whole process can be handled by phone and email, so you do not need to take time off for a sit-down intake meeting.
We take uncontested divorces only. If you and your spouse disagree about property, debts, alimony, custody, or support, we are not able to take your case at this time.
Is your divorce uncontested?
Your divorce is likely uncontested if you and your spouse:
- Both want the divorce
- Agree on how to divide property, such as the house, vehicles, bank accounts, and retirement accounts
- Agree on who pays which debts
- Agree on alimony, including that neither of you will pay it
- Agree on custody, visitation, and child support, if you have children
- Can both sign the paperwork
If any of these is still in dispute, the divorce is contested.
How our flat-fee process works
- Call or send a message. Tell us the basics. We confirm that your case is uncontested and that Alabama is the right place to file, and we quote the flat fee.
- Share the details by phone and email. We collect the information we need, with no sit-down intake meeting.
- We prepare the paperwork. This usually includes the complaint for divorce, a written settlement agreement, and the documents your spouse signs to agree to the divorce. If you have children, it includes the child support forms Alabama requires.
- Sign the documents. Some must be signed in front of a notary.
- We file with the court. The divorce is usually filed in the circuit court for the right Alabama county.
- The judge reviews it. Alabama law generally requires at least 30 days after filing before a divorce can be final. If the judge approves the agreement, the court enters a final judgment of divorce.
What does Alabama require?
- Grounds. Most uncontested divorces in Alabama are granted on “no-fault” grounds, such as incompatibility of temperament or an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. You do not have to prove that anyone did something wrong.
- Residency. When the other spouse lives outside Alabama, the filing spouse generally must have lived in Alabama for at least six months before filing.
- Waiting period. Generally at least 30 days from filing to the final judgment.
- Children. Child support is calculated under Alabama’s guidelines, and the court reviews custody and support terms to make sure they serve the children.
Important things to know
- We represent one spouse. The other spouse is not our client and may hire a lawyer to review the agreement.
- Read the agreement carefully. Once the judge signs the final judgment, changing property division is very difficult. Make sure the agreement says what you both intend before signing.
- Contested cases are not accepted right now. If your spouse has not agreed, or if you are still negotiating, we will tell you so up front.
- If there is a safety concern, such as domestic violence, call 911 in an emergency. An uncontested divorce may not be the right path.
Call our Dothan office to find out whether your divorce qualifies and to get the flat fee.
Frequently asked questions
What is an uncontested divorce in Alabama?
An uncontested divorce is one where both spouses agree to divorce and agree on every issue, including how to divide property and debts, whether either spouse pays alimony, and, if there are children, custody, visitation, and child support. The agreement is written into a settlement that the court reviews and, if approved, makes part of the final divorce judgment.
How long does an uncontested divorce take in Alabama?
Alabama law generally does not allow a divorce to become final until at least 30 days after the complaint is filed. After that, timing depends on how quickly both spouses sign the paperwork and on the court's schedule. We prepare the documents promptly, but we cannot promise a date because the judge controls when the divorce is granted.
How much does an uncontested divorce cost at Dothan Law Group?
We handle uncontested divorces for a flat fee. We tell you the fee, and the court costs, before any work starts, and confirm them in writing. Call our office for the current flat fee.
Do I have to come to your office?
No sit-down intake meeting is needed. We gather the information by phone and email and prepare the paperwork. Some documents must be signed in front of a notary, which can usually be done close to where you live or work.
Can one lawyer represent both spouses?
No. Our attorney represents one spouse. The other spouse is not our client, but is welcome to have their own lawyer review the agreement before signing.
What if my spouse and I agree on most things but not everything?
Then the divorce is contested, and we are not taking contested divorces at this time. Sometimes spouses work out the last few issues on their own or through a mediator. If you reach a complete agreement, your case may then qualify as uncontested.
Do we need to live in Alabama to get divorced here?
Alabama has residency rules for divorce. When the other spouse lives outside Alabama, the filing spouse generally must have lived in Alabama for at least six months before filing. Tell us where each of you lives and we will confirm whether Alabama is the right place to file.
Can we get an uncontested divorce if we have children?
Yes, if you agree on custody, visitation, and child support. Child support in Alabama is calculated under the state's guidelines, and the court reviews the agreement to make sure it serves the children. Some courts also require divorcing parents to complete a parenting course.
