While no divorce is truly "uncontested" in the sense that there are no disagreements, an uncontested divorce usually does not have to be resolved in court. An uncontested divorce is one where the spouses can reach a decision as to the terms of the divorce without going to trial, and possibly without the involvement of a divorce lawyers. Uncontested divorces move more quickly through the courts and are less expensive than contested divorces.
Complex issues, high financial stakes and technical legal procedures are the marks of contested divorces. While an uncontested divorce can often be performed without a divorce lawyer, litigation often makes experienced counsel necessary for a contested divorce. If one spouse has legal representation or there are difficult financial issues, seeking an attorney may be wise.