Divorces are never easy, but a contested divorce where it seems like you and your spouse cannot agree on anything can be incredibly stressful. You just want to be done with this, but you cannot fully separate yourself from this person until you can at least come to some type of agreement. Our Springfield divorce & family law attorneys can help you do that.
What Makes it a Contested Divorce?
A contested divorce is when you and your spouse disagree on any issues concerning your split and what happens afterward. Even disagreeing on just one major issue can cause your divorce to be considered a contested one.
Unfortunately, a contested divorce is going to take longer to complete than an uncontested divorce. That can also make it more expensive. This is why it is wise to have an experienced lawyer on your side. An attorney from our firm can help you negotiate and focus on the important stuff.
What Do I Need to Negotiate in a Contested Divorce?
Plenty of different topics need to be discussed in a contested divorce. It is really in your best interest to come to an agreement on things like:
- Who should get your marital home
- Who gets to keep other properties
- If some properties and valuables should be sold
- How a business is handled
- Child custody and visitation
- Child support
- Alimony
You can negotiate directly with your spouse or go through another method, like mediation. If you have issues agreeing on something, you will have to go to court.
What If My Spouse and I Cannot Agree On Something?
When there are parts of your divorce agreement that you cannot come together on, the judge will end up making a decision for you. This does not always work out in anyone’s favor though.
For example, the judge might look at the assets you are arguing over and decide that the marital home should be sold. You really wanted to keep that though. Then the judge looks at the car and decides that should be sold as well, but your spouse really wanted to keep that.
The lesson here? It may be worth it to give some ground in some areas if it helps you come to a more favorable agreement where you have more control.
When Do I Need a Divorce Attorney?
Having a divorce attorney on your side during this process can be beneficial. A contested divorce can be stressful, but an experienced lawyer can keep you focused and help you negotiate for the most favorable terms.
Talk to Our Team About Your Contested Divorce
If you are in the middle of a contested divorce, you do not have to handle it all on your own. Contact Ross & Calandrillo, LLC and schedule a consultation with our compassionate attorneys. We can tell you more about what we can do to help you out in this trying time.
