Contested Divorce Attorney
Ending a marriage brings many changes. When you and your spouse cannot agree on the terms of your separation, you may face a contested divorce. This process takes time, requires endless paperwork, and demands clear legal steps. You need the services of a contested divorce attorney to provide clarity for your case.
The Law Office of Irene Mugambi provides direct and effective family law services to protect our clients’ rights, assets, and family members. Our contested divorce attorney will cover the steps of the process, explain how legal representation may benefit your situation, and tailor strategies before representing you in court.
Table of Contents
Compassionate Legal Guidance for Family Transitions
Whether you’re adopting, divorcing, or navigating custody, we provide caring legal support tailored to your family’s needs.
What is a Contested Divorce?
According to the Texas State Law Library, contested divorce means you and your spouse do not agree on one or more major issues in your divorce. You likely have a hard time deciding on any of the following:
- How to divide assets (e.g. property, cars, money)
- Who pays marital debts
- Where the children will live
- Child custody and visitation rights
- How much child support is necessary
- Who receives spousal alimony
If you disagree on just one of these items, the court considers the case a contested divorce. The judge will need to hear the facts of your situation before making a ruling. This process requires formal hearings, witness testimony, legal litigation, and guidance from a contested divorce attorney.
Benefits of Hiring a Contested Divorce Attorney
When a divorcing couple disagrees on property, money, or children, a contested divorce attorney helps you prepare a strong case for the judge by:
- Compiling financial documents, such as bank statements, mortgage payments, tax records, and debts.
- Making a list of your properties and assets.
- Keeping a record of your time with your children.
- Providing an objective and factual sworn statement that explains your side and specific issue of your contested divorce case
Going to court without legal counsel puts your future at serious legal risk. A contested divorce lawyer understands the rules of the court, will advocate for your property rights, fight for fair child custody plans, and stand by you at every hearing. You deserve a dedicated legal advocate who takes action to secure your future.
Steps in Filing for Contested Divorce
A contested divorce lawyer takes specific steps to move your case forward. First, they will file the original petition for divorce. Then, the other spouse files a response. After that, the discovery phase begins.
During discovery, both sides ask for facts and documents. Discovery may include additional tools such as interrogatories, requests for admissions, subpoenas, and depositions to gather sworn testimony and evidence. A contested divorce attorney will look closely at bank statements, tax returns, property values, and find hidden assets for evidence.
In many cases, your contested divorce lawyer will also request temporary orders early in the case to establish rules for custody, support, bill payments, and use of shared property while the divorce is ongoing. They may engage in formal settlement negotiations throughout the process to try to resolve issues without going to trial.
If the two sides still cannot agree, the case goes to trial and turns into a contested divorce. At trial, the judge makes the final ruling of a fair compromise for the divorced couple.
If a settlement is reached at any stage, a mediated settlement agreement or final order will be drafted for the court’s approval. Once the judge issues the Final Decree of Divorce, your contested divorce attorney will help ensure it is properly implemented and may assist with enforcement if one party fails to comply.
Hire a Compassionate Contested Divorce Attorney
Being in a contested divorce case is never easy. It is much harder without a compassionate, contested divorce attorney to guide you in a fair legal battle. If you need someone to fight for your rights during a contested divorce, our team will guide you every step of the way.
Call the Law Office of Irene Mugambi at 214-631-0055 to schedule a consultation.
