In a peaceful divorce, people want to keep things simple—and we support that.
But we’ve seen too many uncontested divorces fall apart financially because one critical sentence was left out of the paperwork. It seemed like a small thing at the time. But later, it led to confusion, resentment, court battles—or worse, serious financial loss.
So what’s the line?
If [Spouse A] is unable to refinance the home within 12 months, the property shall be listed for sale.
That’s it.
A single sentence.
And it can save your credit, your peace, and your future.
Here’s Why That One Line Matters So Much
Let’s say one spouse keeps the house after the divorce. Sounds fair, right?
But unless the divorce agreement says exactly what happens if they can’t refinance, the other spouse stays on the mortgage—and stays financially liable.
Now imagine:
- The person keeping the house falls behind on payments
- Your credit takes a hit (even though you don’t live there anymore)
- You’re denied a mortgage or car loan later
- You’re being chased for debt you didn’t know you still owed
All because one sentence was missing.
Other “Tiny” Omissions That Cause Big Problems
It’s not just about the house. Here are other common misses:
Car loans
Whose name is on the note? Is the title transferred? What happens if they don’t refinance?
Parenting plan gaps
What happens on holidays? Who picks up on school breaks? What if someone moves?
Debt division
Are both names on the credit cards? Who’s really responsible—and what if they stop paying?
“We Agreed on Everything—Why Does This Matter?”
Because agreement without legal structure can collapse under pressure.
Most uncontested divorces fail later not because of conflict, but because the paperwork was too vague, too simple, or just incomplete.
📌 And once the final decree is signed? It can be expensive—or impossible—to fix.
So How Do You Get It Right?
You don’t need to turn your uncontested divorce into a war.
You just need guidance from someone who understands what courts look for—and what life throws at people after the ink dries.
At Catherine Ryan Law, we help clients:
- Create agreements that are detailed, enforceable, and fair
- Prepare for “what if” scenarios (like refinance failure, job loss, relocation)
- Stay out of court, while staying legally protected
And if you’re not sure what this kind of protection costs?
Reach out to our office directly
We’ll walk you through the process, so you know exactly what you’re getting—and what you’re avoiding.
One Sentence Can Save You Thousands
Divorce is already a big transition. Don’t let a missing clause come back to haunt you.
Let’s write it right the first time.
Schedule your consultation with Catherine Ryan today
We’ll help you stay protected—without making things more complicated than they need to be.