Tampa Contested Divorce Lawyer
Ideally, a divorce would be handled amicably by both parties. This means both spouses would agree to the divorce as well as all the aspects involved, such as child custody, child support, alimony, and asset division.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Not every couple agrees on all the aspects of a divorce. Some people want to make sure they are treated fairly in the divorce, while others intentionally contest everything out of revenge.
Contested divorces take longer to resolve and are more expensive. The Tampa contested divorce lawyer at Faulkner Law Group, PLLC can help you get a resolution as quickly as possible so you can move on.
Why a Divorce Might Be Contested
Contested divorces are not always because of revenge. Sometimes a party may want to make sure that they are getting a fair deal. Here are some reasons why a party might contest certain elements of a divorce:
- Hidden assets. Even though hiding assets is illegal, it is fairly common for spouses to do so in a divorce. Hiding assets can have an impact on determining alimony and property division. A contested divorce allows each spouse access to discovery tools that can help identify all assets.
- Abuse in the marriage. It can be hard to negotiate with an abusive partner. These spouses will try to interfere with the divorce process as much as possible. Therefore, contesting a divorce will help the victim gain fairness.
- Unwillingness to compromise. If one party is unwilling to compromise, it can be hard to negotiate and arrive at a settlement. That’s why the divorce would need to be contested.
- Best interests of the children. If you and your spouse cannot agree on child custody and other aspects of child rearing, then it may be good to contest the divorce and get the judge to rule on it.
Resolving a Contested Divorce
A contested divorce may lead to litigation, although that does not always happen. Both sides will try to negotiate first before heading to the courtroom. The parties will try to settle through informal mediation. The attorneys for each side will try to engage in ongoing settlement negotiations. The outcome can vary. Sometimes negotiations come very quickly or the case may settle just hours before heading into court. Then there are situations when there is no resolution at all.
Formal mediation may be a next step. This involves a neutral third party who is a retired judge. This party reviews the case, listens to both sides, and then tries to help the spouses come to an agreement.
Contact Us Today
Not every divorcing couple can get along. After all, if they did, they wouldn’t be divorcing in the first place. Need help moving your divorce along? The Faulkner Law Group, PLLC can work with you to avoid the courtroom if possible. Schedule a consultation with our Tampa contested divorce lawyer today by calling (813) 544-3919 or filling out the online form.
