Uncontested divorces are won or lost in the margins. Not on who keeps the house, but on one-liners that control how fast things happen, who pays, and what happens if plans fall through. If you want a drama-free divorce that stays drama-free, sharpen these ten micro-clauses before you sign.
1) Refinance Deadline
Replace “when able” with dates to apply and close, plus monthly status updates and lender proof.
2) Automatic Sale Fallback
If refinance misses the deadline, the order should auto-trigger listing: list date, agent selection, pricing method, scheduled price drops, and who pays prep costs.
3) Interim Payments & Proof
Name who pays mortgage, taxes, insurance, HOA and how proof is shared (e.g., monthly statement upload within three days of due date).
4) Vehicle Title Transfers
Set the transfer date, loan assumption or payoff plan, minimum insurance, and who handles tags/ad valorem.
5) Medical Reimbursements
Use a simple rhythm: submit receipts within 30 days, reimburse within 30 days, with a clear place to send documents.
6) Parenting Exchanges
Fix the time and location, include a short late-arrival grace period, and define make-up time. Clarify who handles school/activity transport during each parent’s time.
7) Holiday Rotation
Write the holiday rotation year by year with start/end times and travel-notice rules.
8) Decision-Making Tie-Breaker
Keep joint input but name a final decision-maker (or split categories: medical/education/extracurriculars) with a brief consult window.
9) Proof & Enforcement
Add fee-shifting for willful nonpayment and a quick mediation step for routine disputes before anyone files in court.
10) “If Not, Then What”
Trade soft phrases (“be fair,” “work it out later”) for specifics: dates, amounts, documents, and the default action if a step doesn’t happen.
Local quirks matter
Even perfect language can stall if the packet ignores local practice. Richmond, Columbia, and Burke may expect different affidavits, formats, or exhibits. County-ready packets keep many uncontested cases on a roughly 30-day track when the court is satisfied.
Why this matters
Clarity is kindness. The more precise your micro-clauses, the fewer texts you’ll trade, the fewer surprises you’ll fund, and the less likely you’ll see a courtroom. You’re not being difficult. You’re being done.
Closing Message
Want your agreement to be friendly and future-proof? Catherine Verdery Ryan, Attorney at Law, drafts and reviews uncontested packets with the fine print that protects your peace and your credit.
Visit catherineryanlawyer.com to file once, finish cleanly, and move forward with certainty.