Simply stated, the following issues have to be resolved in order for the divorce to be granted and finalized:

  1. Child custody (now known as legal decision-making) and parenting time when the parties have minor children in common
  2. Spousal maintenance (alimony), if any
  3. Child support when the parties have minor children in common
  4. Division of assets and debts
  5. Whether one spouse should pay all or part of the other spouse’s attorney’s fees

Any or all of these issues can be resolved by an agreement between the parties. Issues not resolved by an agreement between the parties will be decided by a judge. It is almost always quicker and less expensive to reach an agreement than to have the issues decided by a judge via court trial.