Family law
Uncontested divorce
A divorce in which the spouses agree on all the issues, such as property, support and children, so a judge doesn't have to decide them.[1][2]
In more detail
In Florida, county court judges may hear simplified dissolutions and may enter final orders in uncontested cases.[1] California lets spouses who expect to agree on everything start with a joint petition, and its courts describe a default with agreement when one spouse doesn't respond but both want the court to approve their deal.[2][3] Mediation is a common way to get to agreement.
Varies by state
Procedures, forms and waiting periods for uncontested divorces differ by state. Find your state’s rules.
Related terms
- Summary dissolutionIn California, a shorter, cheaper divorce procedure for couples who qualify: typically a short marriage, no children, few assets and debts, and full agreement.
- Marital settlement agreementA written agreement in which divorcing spouses record how they've settled issues such as property, debts, support and, often, parenting.
- Dissolution of marriageThe legal term in many states, including Florida and California, for divorce: a court judgment ending a marriage.
- Default judgmentA judgment entered for the side that filed the case because the other side didn't answer or appear.
- No-fault divorceA divorce granted without either spouse having to prove the other did something wrong.
- Waiting periodThe minimum time some states require between filing for divorce and the divorce becoming final.
Read next on MediationList
Sources
The official documents this definition is based on, with the date we last read each one. Definitions are in our own words.
General information, not legal advice. MediationList is not a law firm. Spotted an error? Tell us.
Cite this page
MediationList. (2026, October 28). Uncontested divorce: Definition. https://mediationlist.com/glossary/uncontested-divorce/
APA 7th ed. A retrieval date is included only for pages whose content changes, such as maps, data and tools.