An uncontested divorce is a divorce proceeding where the court formally grants the requested divorce without the need to go through significant portions of the adversarial litigation process.
How Much Does An Uncontested Divorce Cost In South Africa
An uncontested divorce can cost anything between R800 and R20 000.
The cost mostly depends on the complexity of the divorce settlement agreement and the complexity surrounding the care and contact of any minor children.
How long does an uncontested divorce take in South Africa?
An uncontested divorce can be finalized in four to six weeks depending on the court roll.
It is not necessary for both parties to appear together in court, therefore, only the plaintiff will give evidence and conclude the divorce before a magistrate or judge, depending on the court in which the divorce was instituted.
What is the cheapest way to get divorced?
Uncontested Divorce: Working Together to Save Money.
Do-It-Yourself Divorce Filings: The Cheapest Option.
Online Divorce Services: A Streamlined, Low-Cost Choice.
Divorce Mediation: A More Affordable Middle Ground.
Limited Representation by an Attorney.
Handling Divorce With Legal Aid or Pro Bono Help
What Can Go Wrong With a Cheap Divorce?
Using an affordable online divorce service or handling your divorce on your own works out for plenty of people.
But every case is different, and going the low-cost route sometimes brings risk. Here are some situations where you might need to consult an attorney.
Struggling with court procedures.
Dealing with complicated situations.
Negotiating.
Choosing the wrong service.
How can I get a free divorce in South Africa?
In simple cases, divorce is possible without an attorney.
In what’s informally known as a DIY divorce, you can get the required forms from your local magistrate’s court or use an online divorce service.
This process is for simple and uncontested cases.
Why would someone get an uncontested divorce?
Benefits of an uncontested divorce over a contested divorce
Privacy and Confidentiality.
Since the proceedings of an uncontested divorce take place in Chambers, spouses would not have to suffer having their private matters disclosed to members of the public.
Speedy Process and Lower Costs.