Are you looking for tips to turn your contested divorce into an uncontested divorce in Albuquerque, New Mexico?
If so, you likely have a divorce that is balancing between a contested divorce and uncontested divorce.
The first step towards creating an amicable divorce is understanding the difference between a contested divorce and uncontested divorce.
DIVORCE CONTESTED VS UNCONTESTED IN NEW MEXICO
Are you wondering, “What is the difference between contested and uncontested divorce in New Mexico?”
The difference between a contested and uncontested divorce is a complete agreement. Specifically, an uncontested divorce requires total agreement on all legal issues.
Any disagreement creates a contested divorce.
In other words, a contested divorce vs. uncontested divorce is decided by a total agreement vs disagreement.
Do you have a complete divorce agreement? Great. In that case, you have an uncontested divorce.
Alternatively, do you disagree about any essential divorce issue? In this situation, you have a contested divorce.
Today, let’s focus on ways to turn your disagreement into agreement.
In doing so, we’ll uncover 5 ways to turn your contested divorce into an uncontested divorce in Albuquerque, NM.
UNDERSTAND AND ACCEPT NEW MEXICO DIVORCE LAW
Contested divorces are often caused by misunderstanding of New Mexico divorce laws.
This misunderstanding can either be passive or active.
On the passive end, a spouse may misunderstand the law because they have not consulted with an experienced Albuquerque divorce attorney.
In doing so, the spouse may have wishful thinking about New Mexico’s unique divorce laws. In other cases, one spouse may passively believe that an offer is “fair” or “moral.” Unfortunately, divorce laws and morals are apples and oranges.
For instance, one spouse may desire a divorce. This spouse may desire the divorce because they have met someone new – or simply no longer want to be in the relationship. Nevertheless, the spouse requesting the divorce may be entitled to alimony/spousal support.
Moreover, the spouse will be entitled to their share of the community property that was built during the marriage.
In other words, fault or reason for the divorce does not impact alimony/spousal support. Moreover, fault usually does not impact community property rights. This law may not align with someone’s moral belief about what is appropriate or fair.
On the active end of misunderstanding, one spouse may actively refuse to acknowledge New Mexico law. This spouse may actively ignore New Mexico’s divorce law with a settlement offer that does not align with these laws.
In other cases, a spouse may actively ignore NM divorce laws out of anger or spite. In doing so, the spouse may desire to make the divorce as long and difficult as possible. These actions may stem from a desire to reconcile. Conversely, the actions may grow from a goal to inflict pain.
In short, your spouses misunderstanding of Albuquerque divorce laws may be passive or active.
BE REASONABLE
The first step towards an uncontested divorce is understanding and accepting New Mexico divorce law. The second step is to make a reasonable offer that reflects this law.
At times, one side makes a lopsided and unreasonable offer. This offer may be based on a passive misunderstanding of NM law.
In other situations, the spouse actively knows that the offer does not align with state laws.
The spouse may then double-down on the offer if it is rejected. This doubling-down may be caused by pride or anger.
Nevertheless, the uncontested divorce then transforms into a contested divorce.
MEET IN THE MIDDLE
Our society thrives on “winning.”
We want our favorite sports team to win.
We dream of winning the lottery.
Commercials, ads, and billboards continually talk about “winning.”
Naturally, we want to “win” at divorce.
Sometimes you win by meeting in the middle. For example, you may win emotionally and financially by avoiding a contested divorce.
In other words, sometimes you win a fight by staying out of the Octagon. Similarly, sometimes the cost of contesting your divorce outweighs the benefits. This cost vs. benefit statement is particularly true when one side is making unreasonable demands.
Most of the time, the party making unreasonable demands needs a “reality check.” This reality check may come through the necessary divorce settlement facilitation.
For particularly stubborn spouses, the reality check may come from the appointed family court judge.
Unfortunately, this reality check comes with a price tag. The price tag includes the cost of mediation and litigation. But most importantly, the price tag includes stress and diminished quality of life.
How much do you value peace of mind?
You should also consider the value of your quality of life, when considering a contested divorce.
Does your spouse want a divorce? Do you oppose the divorce? Under NM law, there is no way to stop a spouse from requesting a divorce.
Therefore, the cost of dragging your feet may outweigh the benefits.
AVOID LEGAL ADVICE FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY
The cliché saying goes, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”
This cliché aptly applies towards legal advice received from friends and family.
Usually, family and friends have good intentions through advice. This advice may come in the form of a story. Alternatively, the advice may come from comparing two cases with completely different facts and circumstances.
Based on this advice, one spouse may charge forward towards a contested divorce. In doing so, the spouse may bang their head against New Mexico law, policies, and procedure.
In other words, your friends and family probably have good intentions with the stories and advice that they are giving. Unfortunately, this fuzzy advice may be completely wrong.
Following this faulty advice may lead you on a road towards avoidable stress and expense. Specifically, outdated or outright bad advice may lead you towards an avoidable contested divorce.
Moral of the story: avoid legal advice from friends and family. Instead, speak with an experienced New Mexico divorce attorney.
FOCUS ON THE BENEFITS OF RESOLUTION
Let’s be real, divorce isn’t a time filled with rainbows and butterflies. The word divorce doesn’t make you want to jump in the air like Tony Robbins.
Often, divorce is a dark time in one’s life.
This darkness may cause you to focus on the negatives vs. positives.
For instance, you may begin to think about how much retirement, property, or money that you are losing. It’s true. You are likely going to lose half of the community property built during the marriage.
Moreover, it’s true that you may lose half of your retirement. Finally, you may be required to pay alimony or child support.
All true.
However, contesting your divorce doesn’t change those facts. In other words, contesting your divorce doesn’t change New Mexico law or your case facts.
Therefore, sometimes it pays to focus on the benefits of resolution. For instance, focus on the time, stress, and money that you save through an uncontested divorce.
At the end of the day, we only have so much time on earth.
Today may be our final day. There’s not a guarantee that I will even finish this sentence.
Getting to the point, life is short.
Consequently, focus on your quality of life when considering a contested divorce.
ATTORNEY FOR CONTESTED & UNCONTESTED DIVORCE NEAR ME IN ALBUQUERQUE, NM
Are you searching for an affordable and effective uncontested divorce attorney in New Mexico. In that case, you have found the right legal team.
Sanchez has handled uncontested divorces across New Mexico. Sanchez routinely handles uncontested divorces in Rio Rancho, Los Lunas/Belen, Estancia, and Santa Fe.
Your divorce deserves one of the best divorce attorneys in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Call (505) SANCHEZ.
