Uncontested Divorce Lawyer Ottawa

Experienced Uncontested Divorce Lawyer in Ottawa

If you are seeking a smooth, efficient way to end your marriage in the Ottawa region with minimal conflict and cost, our team at Walker Legal Professional Corporation is here to help.

Our dedicated family law practice understands how emotionally and financially taxing divorce proceedings can be — especially when families are already under strain. By focusing on uncontested divorce solutions, we help couples who are in agreement on the key issues avoid lengthy litigation, reduce stress, protect their children’s best interests, and keep more control over outcomes.

Whether you live in Ottawa, Nepean, Stittsville, Kanata, Westboro, Manotick, Glebe, Orléans, West Carleton, or the surrounding area, we bring local legal knowledge of Ontario’s courts and the federal Divorce Act to your matter. You’ll receive practical, clear, and empathetic guidance — because we value your time, resources and emotional well-being just as much as you do. From the initial consultation to filing, finalizing the divorce order and obtaining your certificate, we manage all steps so you can move forward with confidence.

What Is Uncontested Divorce?

In Ontario, an “uncontested divorce” (sometimes called a “simple divorce” or joint/unopposed divorce) means that both spouses resolve all the major issues in advance — such as division of property, debt allocation, spousal support, child support (if applicable), parenting time and decision-making responsibility (for children) — and agree to the terms of separation before submitting the divorce application.

Key features of an uncontested divorce include:

• Both spouses are on the same page about ending the marriage and the main consequences.
• The divorce application is submitted to the court without significant dispute or litigation (i.e., no contested hearings on major issues).  
• Because you and your former spouse have reached agreement, the process is typically faster, less expensive, and less adversarial.  
• Although you avoid heavy court battles, you still must comply with all legal requirements (residency, separation period, forms, certificate, etc.).  

In short: an uncontested divorce lets you end your marriage in a controlled, predictable way, rather than leaving the outcome to the court. That said — “uncontested” does not mean you skip the legal work. An experienced lawyer ensures all issues are addressed, documented and enforceable.

The Difference Between Contested and Uncontested Divorce

Understanding the distinction between contested and uncontested divorce helps you choose the path that best fits your situation.

Uncontested divorce:

• Spouses agree on all significant issues (property/debts, support, parenting).  
• Minimal or no court-appearance required; the court’s role is largely administrative.  
• Lower cost and faster timeline (when compared with contested matters).  
• You have more control: you craft the separation agreement and terms rather than leaving key decisions to a judge.

Contested divorce:

• One or both spouses cannot agree on one or more key matters — for example: dividing a business interest, complex asset portfolios, parenting time, decision-making authority, child and spousal support.  
• The court intervenes more actively: case conferences, motions, maybe a trial, and decisions made by a judge.  
• The timeline is typically much longer and costs are significantly higher.  
• You relinquish some control — the court may impose orders rather than the spouses themselves crafting every detail.

Why this matters in Ottawa:

At Walker Legal Professional Corporation, we aim to help eligible couples keep their divorce process uncontested because it aligns with our ethos of respectful, efficient, empathetic legal service. We also have the experience to recognize early on when your situation may be heading toward a contested pathway, so we can prepare accordingly, manage expectations, and protect your position.

The Requirements for an Uncontested Divorce

To proceed with an uncontested divorce in Ontario (including the Ottawa-area), certain legal requirements must be met. These include both federal and provincial conditions.

1. Grounds for divorce

Under the federal Divorce Act, you must show that the marriage has broken down. The most common ground is living separate and apart for at least one year. 
Note: Adultery or mental/physical cruelty are alternate grounds but are rarely used in uncontested contexts.  

2. Separation period

You and your spouse must have lived separate and apart for at least one full year before the divorce can be granted. 

Importantly, separation does not always mean living in different residences — you may still live under the same roof provided you maintain independent lives (for example, separate finances, not share meals, live separate routines) if economic or practical factors prevent moving out. 

3. Residency

At least one spouse must have been ordinarily resident in Ontario for at least 12 continuous months immediately before filing the divorce application.  

4. Agreement on all key issues

Because the divorce is uncontested, both parties must agree — or have fully resolved — all relevant issues: parenting (if children), child support, spousal support (or waiver thereof), property and debt division. Any outstanding dispute means the process becomes contested.  

5. Proper documentation and filing

You must complete the correct forms (for example Form 8A: Application for Divorce) and include your marriage certificate. You must serve the documents on your spouse (if not a joint application) and file all required affidavits, draft divorce order, proof of service, etc. 

6. Best interests of children

When children are involved, the arrangement for decision-making responsibility and parenting time must meet the court’s scrutiny under the best interests of the child standard. A separation agreement or parenting plan should clearly set out how parenting and support will operate.  

When all these elements are satisfied, your matter is in strong shape to proceed by way of uncontested divorce — avoiding the courtroom battles, unnecessary cost, and emotional upheaval.

Why Choose an Uncontested Divorce

Opting for an uncontested divorce in the Ottawa area offers a number of compelling advantages:

• Faster resolution — Because you are not litigating disputes, the timeframe from filing to final order is shorter. An estimated 4-8 months when the one-year separation is already completed. 
• Lower cost — With fewer court appearances and less adversarial negotiation, legal and court costs tend to be significantly less than contested cases.  
• Greater control over the outcome — You and your spouse set the terms, rather than leaving key decisions to a judge who may not know your family.  
• Reduced stress and conflict — The process preserves better trust and communication between former spouses, which is particularly beneficial if you will continue co-parenting or have shared business ventures.
• Privacy and predictability — Because there is no heated trial or drawn-out litigation, the process is more discreet and predictable in outcome — which is often preferable for professional individuals and families in the Ottawa region.
• Focus on future stability — By resolving your divorce collaboratively and respectfully, you set yourself up for better long-term financial and parenting outcomes.

At Walker Legal Professional Corporation, our uncontested divorce service is designed with empathy for what you are going through — we work to keep your resources focused on moving forward, not being tied up in court. We coordinate document preparation, ensure legal compliance, manage service and filings, and support you through each step so you can transition with dignity and confidence.

Contact Our Uncontested Divorce Lawyer in Ottawa for a Consultation

If you believe that you and your spouse are in agreement about ending your marriage — or if you’d like to explore whether an uncontested divorce is feasible in your case — book your consultation at Walker Legal Professional Corporation today.

Here’s what the process looks like when you book an online appointment:

01. We’ll arrange an initial consultation (virtual, or phone) to review your situation, goals and whether you meet the uncontested divorce criteria in Ontario (separation, residency, agreements).

02. We’ll explain the detailed process, documentary requirements, timeline and costs so you know what to expect — no surprises.

03. If you proceed, we’ll prepare and file the paperwork, coordinate service (if needed), draft your agreement or separation terms, and guide you through to final order and certificate.

04. You’ll receive practical advice on updating your wills, beneficiary designations, pension or business interests, and other ancillary issues often overlooked in divorce planning.

05. You’ll be kept informed every step of the way — and we’ll work to resolve your matter efficiently while preserving your privacy and peace of mind.

Book online for your consultation now. You deserve a divorce process that reflects your maturity, your values and your wish to move forward — not get bogged down in conflict. In the Ottawa region, Walker Legal Professional Corporation is your partner for a respectful, professional uncontested divorce.