A contested case is expensive, stressful and time consuming. You certainly need legal assistance in conducting and presenting all the evidence needed to both obtain the divorce and resolve all the issues relating to any children as well as marital property.
However, there is another option. The parties can resolve all the issues relating to the marriage through a marital settlement agreement. They can decide not only issues relating to custody and child access, but also alimony, marital property, the marital home, and any other significant issue. That can result in a real time saving for the couple, as well as avoid a lot of unnecessary stress and expense. A lawyer can help you draft an agreement, and this method is relatively inexpensive.