For many parts of our history, the law frowned upon divorce. A marriage could only be annulled if one person did something wrong. This would create grounds for a “fault divorce” which would include abuse or infidelity for example.
Therefore, a person pursuing a divorce case would have to prove that it was merited. As a result, people who wanted to annul their marriage would hire a mistress for the union to be dissolved on account of infidelity.
That is not the case anymore. However, you may still find yourself in a bitterly-contested divorce because of child support and property division issues.
What Is A Contested Divorce?
It refers to a situation where the divorcing spouses fail to reach a common ground in divorce proceedings.
So, what happens in this case? Well, this is an inverse of uncontested divorce. For uncontested divorce proceedings, the spouses agree on everything thus making the separation process simple, faster, and quicker.
But the question is, why can’t the litigants get a consensus in a contested divorce case? In most cases, it is because of children and the division of marital assets.
Such disagreements make the contested divorce process tough and stressful to handle. Even worse, it can last for years and result in lofty legal costs.
So, are you headed towards a contested divorce, make use of these tips to increase your chances of winning the case.
- Engage the Best Lawyers
Your success in court is dependent on the knowledge and experience of your attorney. Therefore, take time to select the best and credible legal practitioners like Ramos Law Group PLLC and meet them personally.
After the meeting, share your case details with them. Ask them how they intend to pursue your interest in court.
- Have a Journal
It’s not easy to deal with the stress associated with contested divorce cases. The stress associated with the case may make you miss out on some crucial aspects or details regarding your case.
The best way to ensure that this doesn’t happen is by having a journal. Note everything including the detailed entry of your joint accounts or assets in the journal.
The same applies when you’re dealing with a contested child custody case. Missing out on any critical detail regarding the child will see you lose the case. You don’t want this to happen.
Remember, the judge will make the custody decision in the best interest of your child. Therefore, write all the significant events and intricacies that relate to your child and provide such information to your lawyer.
- Maintain Your Cool
The last thing you want in a divorce proceeding is to lose your temper. Yes, coming face to face with your spouse in such a hostile environment may provoke you. As a result, you may say or do things that you didn’t intend to say. Don’t make this mistake.
Being abusive, violent, or vulgar in court may turn the tables in favor of your spouse. Therefore, ensure you’re doing everything right to be sane throughout the process. You can seek assistance from a licensed therapist or counselor if the need arises.
Conclusion
If a divorcing couple can’t agree, then they’ll have to go through a contested divorce. This may be very expensive and time-consuming. And yes, the contested divorce case follows the same steps as any other court case. Here, one spouse files for divorce, and the other party makes their response. The judge adjudges the evidence presented before them to decide the case. Thus, engage a competent contested divorce attorney to safeguard your rights and interests.
