Contested Divorce Lawyers

Leverage the Knowledge and Experience of Contested Divorce Lawyers

What Happens If A Divorce Is Contested

In most cases, divorce is traumatic, even when the relationship is no longer rewarding. You have likely become accustomed to a certain way of life. The benefits of marriage are considerable. The combination of companionship, shared household and parenting responsibilities, and, in many cases, a two-person income set the stage for a specific way of life. When children are involved, seeking advice from a parental custody lawyer becomes crucial . The changes that accompany divorce are considerable, even when the proceedings go smoothly.

When they don’t and divorce is contested, the process can be agonizing. It often includes significant paperwork, multiple deadlines, never-ending arguments, and lots and lots of emotions for all involved. Working with a skilled lawyer can help you mitigate the stress associated with a contested divorce. At the very least, we take the administrative tasks off your plate, and, in most cases, we can relieve you of so many more concerns.

At Price Family Law we have experience dealing with the broad range of issues that arise when divorcing couples disagree. The most common are:

• Child Custody: Also known as parental responsibility, this is determined based on the best interests of the child. Factors that are considered by the courts include, but are not limited to, parental wishes, location of the parents’ residences, the child’s relationship with parents, emotional well-being, and physical health of both parents, and (in some cases) child preferences (based on age). Issues of domestic violence can impact this decision as well.
• Alimony (Spousal support/maintenance): Colorado judges may award support based on a number of issues, which include future earning capacity, education, standard of living, how long the marriage lasted, age of spouses, health of spouses and the current financial situations. Keep in mind that spousal support is not mandatory in Colorado. When maintenance is awarded, it is usually temporary and is determined by specific rules. Consulting a spousal support law firm can provide clarity on how these factors might apply in individual cases.
• Financial Distribution: It is important to recognize that in cases of divorce in Colorado, property (real and financial) will be allocated equitably. This is different than equally; there is no guarantee of a 50/50 split. In making these decisions, the courts take into account a number of factors regarding acquisition to help determine distribution. Additionally, debts will also be allocated. The team at Price Family Law has first-hand experience managing divorces for couples with complex financial positions. By leveraging this knowledge, we can better advocate for you.

Our team is ready to go to work for you. We appreciate how emotional divorce can be and are committed to not only providing you the highest quality legal advice, but also to serving as a calming force throughout the process.

Understanding Divorce in Denver: An Overview

Uncontested Versus Contested Divorce – The Difference

Divorce in Denver, Colorado, can be described as either uncontested or contested. The differences are considerable, and the impact of each is unique.

Uncontested divorces occur when spouses agree on all the details of their divorce, including (but not limited to) the division of assets, child custody and support, and maintenance. Because conflict regarding these important factors is minimized, uncontested divorces tend to be simpler. While they still need to be approved by a judge, they do not require long and drawn-out hearings. In general, uncontested divorces settle more quickly and result in lower legal fees. In cases where child custody arrangements need to be formalized, consulting a child custody lawyer can help ensure that all legal procedures are followed correctly.

On the other hand, when a disagreement between spouses exists on the issues related to their separation, the divorce is deemed contested.

What Happens If Divorce a Is Contested?

When a divorce is contested the involved parties go to court with their divorce attorneys and, based on both the evidence presented and the couple’s testimony, a judge makes the final decision on all disputed issues.

Clearly, an uncontested divorce is an easier process, but separating adults often have differing ideas of what is both fair for each other and best for their minor children, should there be any. In such situations, especially when high assets are involved, working with a skilled attorney, such as an Attorney specializing in high-asset divorce in Denver, Colorado, who is experienced in representing individuals in contested divorce hearings is critical. You want to ensure that your best interests are protected and that your story, your wishes, and your beliefs are effectively presented.

Contested Divorce Procedure

If your marriage is over and you know that you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse will have opposing views on how best to end the marriage and structure your futures, engaging a well-respected contested divorce attorney should be the very first thing you do.

You want to ensure that the professionals and their firm are well-versed in Colorado divorce law and experienced in representing clients in the local Denver courts. The approach and skill of this firm will dictate the tone of the process and impact the end results.

Once you have selected an attorney with whom to work, that professional will guide you through the process. In Colorado, there are a number of administrative steps to take in order to obtain a divorce. You must:

• Complete and File a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage or Legal Separation: The document must be completed and submitted in duplicate to the City and County Building in Denver. This is where the city clerk’s office is located.
• Notify Your Spouse: Your spouse must be provided legal notice of your divorce petition. If you file jointly, you do not need to do this, because they are already aware of the happenings.
• Petition Response: Your spouse has 20 days from receipt of the petition to respond. If they fail to do so, then they are, in effect, relinquishing their rights, and your requests will likely be granted. If your spouse responds within the 20-day time frame and agrees with the petition details as submitted, the divorce would be uncontested. Should your spouse file a response disputing your petition, a meeting at the court will be scheduled. If an agreement cannot be reached during this Initial Status Conference your case will go to trial.
• Trial and Finalization: During your trial, both you and your spouse (and your lawyers, possibly from a spousal support law firm) will have the opportunity to share your wishes, along with any evidence which supports why your plan is best. The judge will carefully listen to everything presented and will ultimately make a decision and issue a Decree of Dissolution of Marriage, which finalizes your divorce.

Working with a skilled contested divorce attorney is a valuable investment in your future. They will manage the process from beginning to end, ensuring that all paperwork is filed in a timely fashion. Additionally, they will represent you in court and present your case in the best possible manner.

Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce

Our Denver Contested Divorce Lawyers Address Your Concerns

No two individuals are the same. When you understand this to be true, it makes perfect sense that each relationship and marriage is also unique and, when they end, the specific issues at heart are incredibly personal.

At Price Family Law we understand and appreciate this. We know that while we can leverage our experience and knowledge, we cannot specifically duplicate our approach from case to case. Each situation needs and deserves personalized attention and tailored service. Our responses to our client’s questions and issues depend upon their specific situation.

While this is always true, those contemplating divorce, in general, often have a host of questions that can be addressed with more standard responses. The information gained by understanding some basic facts can help those who are facing a significant life change make some important decisions on how to move forward.

Below, our team has shared some of the questions we hear most often and our answers to them.

Hopefully, these responses have provided you a clearer picture of contested divorce in Colorado. That said, we realize you may have additional concerns. Reach out to The Price Family Law Firm and schedule a free consultation. We look forward to hearing your story and sharing how we can best support you as you move forward.