What is a Contested Divorce?

Couple dealing with a contested divorce.

A contested divorce is when you and your spouse can not agree on the terms of the divorce.  If this is the case you need an experienced and effective New York divorce lawyer to help you negotiate a settlement or to go to bat for you in court.

To contest the divorce your spouse will either hire an attorney or file papers pro se (meaning representing him or herself) to fight the divorce.

The issues that usually lead to a New York contested divorce are:

  • Child Support, Custody and Visitation

  • Equitable Distribution of Marital Property, Assets or Debts

  • Whether your spouse wants to get a divorce at all, or

  • Your spouse is simply vengeful

How a New York Divorce Lawyer Can Help?

If you’re spouse is unwilling to cooperate and sign the divorce documents, you’re not out of luck.

We can still help you get your divorce.

If we personally serve your spouse the divorce documents, he or she only has a limited amount of time (40 days) to respond by hiring a lawyer.

If he or she doesn’t respond we can get you your divorce anyway by means of a default judgment.  This just means that your spouse defaulted by not responding and we can get you your divorce.

If your spouse hires a lawyer, you’re divorce is now considered contested.  Don’t worry, we can still help.

Usually divorces become contested if you and your spouse can’t agree on issues surrounding your children or assets.

If your divorce becomes contested or is contested from the get-go, we will fight aggressively yet effectively for your interests.  It’s important to have an attorney fighting for your rights.

Our New York divorce lawyers fight aggressively when necessary and attempt to negotiate a settlement if at all possible.

Call now to schedule your consultation – (866) 830-2064

See Wikipedia’s definition of contested divorce here.