Frederick Contested Divorce Lawyer

Divorce is an exceptionally stressful and legally complicated process under just about any circumstances, but it can be particularly hard to get through if you and your spouse do not see eye-to-eye about how to resolve specific divorce-related issues. When you cannot decide how to divide property, who should have what custody rights, or whether alimony should be paid, your only option may be asking the court to step in and decide for you.

In this kind of scenario, representation from a tenacious divorce attorney can be essential to protecting your best interests not just now, but potentially for years after the divorce proceedings conclude. If you believe divorce litigation may be in your future, speaking with and retaining a Frederick contested divorce lawyer should be your top priority.

Possible Grounds for a Frederick Contested Divorce

With the state of Maryland having dissolved fault-based divorce, the process has simplified into determining the grounds for a contested divorce. What “contested” means in this context is that there is some crucial issue that must be resolved before a court will grant a dissolution of the marriage.

The most common reasons for contested divorces include disputes over:

• How co-parents will share physical and legal custody and visitation rights
• What support obligations each parent should have towards their children and/or former spouse
• What an “equitable” division of marital property and debts would look like

As a well-practiced Frederick attorney can explain, though, virtually any disagreement between divorcing spouses could make a contested divorce necessary, including something as simple as one spouse not wanting to keep covering the other with a formerly shared health insurance plan or how to divide the spouses personal property.

Preparing for Contested Divorce Court Proceedings

The complexity of a contested divorce—and therefore the amount of time and money it may take to resolve one—can vary wildly depending on how many issues the involved parties disagree on, how strong those disagreements are, and the sensitivity of certain matters over others. For instance, a minor dispute over a particular piece of property could be resolved quickly compared to a child custody dispute, which might drag out for months or even years, depending on the circumstances.

Ultimately, the best broad strategy for contested divorce has two parts:

• Collecting as much documentary and testimonial evidence to support a particular position on each issue
• Retaining skilled legal counsel to help present that evidence in a compelling way during court hearings.

A knowledgeable contested divorce lawyer in Frederick could provide irreplaceable assistance with tracking down important information, preparing for cross-examination and the emotional effects a trial might have on a family, and emphasizing certain points over others in pursuit of an optimal court decision.

Seek Help from a Frederick Contested Divorce Attorney

Depending on exactly what you are “contesting” with your spouse, you may be embroiled in confusing legal proceedings and emotionally taxing negotiations for months—especially if you try to proceed with your case without seasoned legal counsel.

Guidance from a Frederick contested divorce lawyer can make a world of difference throughout every stage of your divorce proceedings. Call today to learn more.