A contested divorce is one where the parties involved cannot agree on one or more of the terms of the divorce. Typically, the most highly contested issues of a divorce are child custody and child support. Spousal maintenance, division of property and debt allocation are examples of other contested terms of divorce.
Contesting the dissolution of a marriage can become a very complicated and time-consuming process. The court will not issue a decree of dissolution until the issues are sorted out and agreed upon. Ideally, the parties involved will be able to discuss the terms and come to a mutual agreement. In some cases, when an agreement cannot be reached, the terms of the divorce must be presented to a judge who will make a final determination. This is known as divorce litigation and can include the following steps:
- Petition
- Summons
- Discovery
- Hearings
- Trial
- Motions
- Temporary Orders
- Judgment
If you find yourself in a position where you must go before a judge to either defend your rights or fight for your demands in a divorce, we highly recommend you enlist the expertise and knowledge of a family attorney such as Brad Crider. Brad has successfully represented his clients as they work through the contested terms of a divorce. Based on his experience, he’s able to determine the best strategy for the best results, including knowing when to work more closely with the other party involved and when to prepare for a fight.
Don’t make the mistake of attempting to handle a contested divorce on your own, especially if the other side has an attorney. Talk to the staff at Crider Family Law to determine an effective plan to help you see the best possible outcome to your divorce.