A divorce is considered uncontested when both spouses reach a complete agreement on every issue before the court, including parenting rights and responsibilities, child support, alimony, property division, debt allocation, and any other matters that must be addressed in the final decree. Although the court must still review the agreement to ensure it complies with New Hampshire law, uncontested divorces are generally resolved more quickly and at a lower cost. A contested divorce occurs when the parties disagree on one or more significant issues. The case may involve discovery, mediation, temporary hearings, expert witnesses, or a final hearing before a judge. Many contested cases ultimately settle before trial, but preparing the case thoroughly from the beginning often places clients in the strongest position to negotiate a favorable outcome.