Although thousands of divorce cases are filed in Florida each year, each case is different. Yes, there are common legal issues in most divorce cases, like child custody and support, alimony and property and debt division, but when you are facing a divorce, you want to know how your life will be impacted by this often-complicated legal process. And, things can get quite a bit more complicated if the divorce, particularly a high-asset divorce, is “contested.”
So, what is a “contested” divorce and how will you know if your case is headed in that direction? A recent news article touched on the issue of contested divorces and, as explained in the article, when a divorce is “contested,” that means that the divorcing couple cannot agree on all of the legal issues that will be a part of the case. Contested divorces are especially common in high-asset situations, when couples cannot agree on how assets and debt will be divided.
As the recent article noted, if you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse cannot agree on all of the issues in your case, a contested divorce is likely to be part of your path forward. Obviously, that can make getting through the case more difficult, time-consuming and costly, but it is important to remember that you need to protect your rights. Sometimes, contesting issues in a divorce case is necessary.
Understand your situation
In this type of situation, you need to understand all of the variables involved as well as your potential options. Direct negotiations between the parties may be possible, or mediation may even be an option. But, in some cases, the issues must be put to the family law court for final decisions. Be sure to weigh your options carefully.