Unlike alternative divorce processes, contested divorce is complex and as personal as your marriage. Before you start your case, talk to an attorney about your circumstances to get a feel for the general trajectory. Here are three steps to help you win your contested divorce. First, gather evidence and information. During the trial, prepare witnesses and exhibits. Also, prepare yourself for the trial. Once you have gathered information, speak to your lawyer.
Get copies of your credit reports. If you and your spouse have joint bank accounts, copy credit reports and statements. You may also have to play detective and find out whether your spouse is hiding something from you. While this information will not reveal your spouse’s debts and credit history, it will give your attorney a good idea of what your situation might be. If you find any discrepancies, talk to your attorney and let them investigate further.
Determine the disagreements between the two of you. Your spouse may want equal parenting time and spousal support. But the two of you may disagree on spousal support, child custody and other issues. It is best to talk about these issues before filing for divorce so that you can resolve them prior to going to court. In the meantime, if you cannot settle, you can ask your judge to make temporary provisions that are beneficial for both of you.
Consider hiring a divorce attorney. The attorney will be able to help you protect your legal rights and get the best outcome possible. However, you must remember that divorce rarely means getting rid of your ex forever. It’s a long and often difficult road, with legal, emotional and financial issues. With the help of an attorney, you can win your contested divorce and save yourself the stress and costly litigation.
A contested divorce is more difficult to file than an uncontested one, and often involves a judge who will decide what your divorce should look like. An uncontested divorce, on the other hand, requires no disagreement or response on any issue. It will be cheaper and take less time, which makes it a more affordable option. It also tends to help you preserve your relationship with your spouse. For this reason, the more information you have, the better off you’ll be.
