5 things to agree on with your spouse before you file
June 18, 2026 · 1 min read · Updated July 8, 2026
An uncontested divorce only stays simple if you've settled the big questions first. Here's the short list worth talking through.
Free divorce tips
Occasional, useful guidance. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ready when you are
Begin your divorce online
Take the first step at your own pace. No account needed to start.
Begin your divorce- Attorney-reviewed guides
- All 50 states + DC
- Flat fee, no hidden costs
- Self-help service, not a law firm
An uncontested divorce is only 'uncontested' if the two of you actually agree on the important stuff. A little conversation up front keeps the whole process calm and cheap. Here's what to settle before you file.
First, how you'll divide what you own: the house, the cars, bank accounts, and retirement. Second, who takes responsibility for what you owe, from the mortgage to credit cards. Third, if you have kids, a parenting schedule and how child support will work.
Fourth, whether either of you will pay spousal support, and for how long. And fifth, the small logistics that cause surprising friction later, like who keeps which email address, subscriptions, and pets. Write your decisions down. When you file, that agreement becomes part of the court's final order.