Divorces are hard on everyone involved. Both spouses need to deal with the frustrations, pressure from family, and general stigma of going through divorce proceedings. Matters are made even worse when children are involved and have to be considered within the framework of the divorce. In general, most divorces usually end with both parties finally agreeing to terms and moving on with life.
A contested divorce, on the other hand, is a totally different story. A contested divorce can lead to years of strife, tons of lost money, and a generally poor situation overall.
For this reason, having an experience contested divorce lawyer on your side is critical to ensure that everyone’s interests are protected during a very high stress time.
What Happens in a Contested Divorce?
There are many things to consider with regard to divorce proceedings. However, there are a few big-ticket items that require significant cooperation from spouses and all parties involved.
These items include custody considerations, asset distribution, and lawyer costs, to name a few. If the two partners involved in a divorce cannot agree on these issues, the divorce is considered to be contested, and the legal system must weigh in to decide the outcomes in question.
In many areas across the country, couples are required to trial mediation before going to court for their divorce. Mediation uses a third-party in an attempt to help the spouses come to terms on divisive issues so that they can be spared the enormous costs associated with drawn out court proceedings, lawyer’s fees, and everything else that follows.
Luckily, many mediation efforts are successful, and couples are able to move on from their relationship with a mutually agreeable outcome.
Failing Mediation
When mediation is unsuccessful, there is really no other option but to begin court proceedings. These are very stressful situations in which the decisions on who gets what in the divorce are decided by a courtroom judge. He or she will listen to testimony from both sides, deliberate on the best course of action, and make a final decision on all of the issues that have yet to be decided.
Because of the gravity of this situation, divorce lawyers for both parties work for weeks or longer to prepare an ironclad case for their client. Again, whatever the judge says at this point, goes.
The Importance of Having a Strong Legal Representative in Contested Divorce Proceedings
Having a good lawyer during contested divorce proceedings is absolutely critical. While you and your spouse may have had a relatively amicable split, things can always get messy as divorces progress. The best way to protect yourself, your assets, and any children that may be involved in the case is to have an excellent divorce attorney on your side.
If you’re going through the difficult process of divorce right now, be sure to contact a skilled lawyer today. These legal experts have seen all different situations and they can help you navigate the tricky world of divorce law.
