Why is it better to have an uncontested divorce, if possible?

An uncontested divorce is a divorce where the spouses have agreed to get divorced and have agreed on how they will divide their property, handle their assets and liabilities. They have also decided if there will be alimony paid and the terms of the alimony and they have agreed on child support and custody (now known as time sharing). 

A contested divorce is a divorce where the parties have decided to fight each other on any number of issues.  Essentially, they have decided to litigate rather than settle the case at the beginning.  Even contested divorces largely settle before going to trial.  The vast majority of cases settle before even seeing one day of a trial and yet the spouses may have spent a large amount of money just to have the case settle before a trial.

It would be hard to find an attorney or judge that would not advise you to try and work things out yourselves before spending a significant amount of time and money litigating your divorce.  An uncontested divorce may save you time, money and help you salvage your relationship you have with your spouse.  Litigating in a contested divorce can be costly, take many months and cause further bitterness between you and your spouse.  Speak to your friends and family who have been divorced and ask them how they would do it if they had the chance to do it again.