The conventional portrayal of divorce on the silver screen and TV is usually marked by contention over serious matters like child custody and deciding who gets what when all is said and done – not to mention emotions running high, sometimes with dramatic events unfolding because of those emotions – but in reality, that form of divorce, legally known as a contested divorce, isn’t necessarily the norm. There are actually several different types of divorce, some very different from the stereotypical contested type. After all, divorce isn’t a one-size-fits-all affair, and the type of divorce a couple chooses depends on the particulars of their situation:
- Are they willing to work together to come to an agreement on issues that may be hotly contested otherwise?
- Do they have valuable assets to divide up or are children involved?
- Why is the marriage coming to an end in the first place?
The answers to these questions can help guide divorcing spouses to the type of proceedings that best fits their unique situation. Today, many alternatives seek to keep the case out of the courtroom and resolve conflict in a cooperative way if possible.
The following are the most common types of divorce:
