When you and your spouse tie the knot, you may envision the rest of your lives together as one filled with happiness and joy. However, when your fairytale marriage ends, knowing how to navigate these circumstances is critical. As such, one thing you should familiarize yourself with is the contested divorce process. If you or your spouse has filed, the following blog covers what you must know when your divorce is contested and why working with St. Louis County divorce lawyers is in your best interest.
What Does It Mean for a Divorce to Be Contested?
When one party files for divorce, the other will be served papers. The spouse who submits the petition to the courts is known as the petitioner, and the party served is the respondent. In the papers served, the respondent will see the grounds for the divorce, meaning the reason cited for filing, as well as the requests of the petitioner. Typically, these matters involve child custody, child support, alimony, and property division.
The respondent’s spouse must file a response to the papers. If they agree with the proposed terms of their spouse, they can file a response with no proposed changes, and continue with an uncontested divorce. However, if they do not agree with the terms and conditions of the divorce, they will contest them when responding. As such, when the parties cannot agree on how matters in their divorce will be handled, the divorce becomes contested.
Typically, contested divorces are more time-consuming and costly, as they involve litigating your divorce. When a couple cannot reach an agreement on one or more matters in their divorce, the court may intervene to determine how these matters should be handled.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Divorce?
If you are getting a divorce, it’s important to understand that obtaining legal representation is critical, especially if your divorce is contested. Unfortunately, many try to navigate this process on their own, which can result in many unfavorable outcomes.
Many assume that divorce is only an emotional issue, which is far from the truth. In reality, a myriad of legal and financial issues arise during this process, so ensuring you have someone familiar with these matters is critical. Your attorney can help you navigate the divorce process while fighting for the best possible outcome for your circumstances. In addition, they can provide valuable legal advice to help ensure you make the most informed decisions.
Going through a divorce is a complicated matter, which is why the team at the Stobie Family Law Group is here to help. We can handle the legal complexities of a contested divorce so you can focus on starting the next chapter of your life. Contact us today to learn how we can help you during these difficult times.
