Divorce is always a mentally and physically challenging situation for all the parties involved, especially the parents. While no one likes to experience or go through such situations in life, sometimes, circumstances force people to apply for divorce. If you are lucky, you might be able to settle child custody, child support, alimony, division of assets, and other stuff with your partner, calling it an uncontested divorce. For this, you can make have an uncontested divorce attorney to represent you.
However, if for some reason, the couple cannot come to an agreement, the divorce will turn into a contested one and be challenged in court which will decide how things will move forward. As a result, one should always avoid a contested divorce but the question is how? Let’s take a look at some important tips that will help you just do that.
Understand The Consequences
You might think that a contested divorce is not going to be that difficult but in reality, it can take you to town if it were to get ugly. Many people have made the same mistake in the past until they had to visit the court and give up more than expected just because they couldn’t agree to simple divisions.
At the same time, couples also think that it is better to move to the court which will help make a better decision. Lawyers always suggest settling things out of court. So, if you were aware of the consequences of a contested divorce, you most probably wouldn’t ask for it.
The biggest downside of having a contested divorce is that it is going to be lengthy and expensive. As mentioned earlier, you will have to visit the court for the proceedings multiple times before the final decision is made. This is going to take a toll on your job or business and mental health.
Plus, the longer it takes for the divorce to be finalized, the more the total cost of hiring the lawyer is going to be. And, things are more likely to become hostile when you and your spouse are in the same room and blame each other for the troubles.
Therefore, if you have the option, you should try for an uncontested divorce and stay calm instead of making moves while being emotional. This could get you in deep trouble.
Focus On The Big Picture
One thing you need to keep in mind while managing a contested divorce is that you need to focus on the big picture. The big picture is that you want to satisfy the judge who is going to make the final decision. This means you need to be patient and show calm body language.
If your spouse happens to be extremely hostile and angry, you should take advantage of it and prove to the court that they are the reason you as a couple are heading towards a divorce to begin with. Judges have a strong sense of body language and can sometimes, easily determine who is in the wrong.
So, your best bet is going to be staying focused and keeping your eyes on the big prize. For instance, if the issue relates to child support or spousal support, you should present receipts and let the judge decide how much you or your spouse is going to contribute.
If you are as hostile as your spouse, the decision can easily go against you. So, make sure you get exactly what you want and that is the judge’s favor.
Be Open To Compromise
While going through a divorce, you can expect your spouse to come at everything. But this should not be the strategy from your side. If you are not willing to compromise and let go of some things, you will not achieve anything, especially the bigger goal. So, you have to manage your expectations.
One thing is a fact and that is, you will not get everything you want out of your divorce. The judge has to decide what goes to whom and you will need to be a bit flexible in this case. If you are hesitant or are not willing to negotiate, things could go against you.
That said, the best way to do this is by making a list of your priorities and determining what you can and cannot compromise on. During the divorce, try to get the things that are listed on the top while avoiding fighting for those that are at the bottom.
Work With Professionals
Divorce issues are never simple and always complicated. Then again, you might be tempted to move things to the court but that is not going to help if the environment is already hostile. This is why you need to work with professionals who can help you settle things before you go to court.
As soon as you feel that things are moving south, you should find a finance professional, appraiser, or therapist and work with them to keep things as smooth as possible. If possible, you should try to settle things out of court that will give you a much better chance of negotiating things.
How To Choose The Right Contested Divorce Attorney?
Now that we have discussed some important tips to help you fight a contested divorce, it is equally important that you are aware of how to choose the right contested divorce lawyer Fairfax VA.
Consider Different Options
The probability of success and losing your divorce case will easily be determined as soon as you pick a divorce attorney. Most people tend to go for the very first option without doing a background check. Lawyers can be expensive and everyone wants to go for budget-friendly options with everything on the line.
Instead, take your time and go through multiple options before picking the right one. You should start this process sooner rather than later. Giving yourself enough time and space will allow you to think through and make a smart choice.
The good thing is that you will find plenty of options out there, it is just about putting in some time and effort to pick the right one.
Decide On Your Budget
One of the most common mistakes people tend to make while hiring a divorce attorney is not considering their budget. They end up hiring someone who will easily drain up their savings at the end of the day. This is because couples think they are going to leave with something and the judge will help them cover the costs.
This is simply not the case every time and you can’t take chances. That said, you need to decide on a budget and choose an attorney accordingly. You should have a clear understanding of how the fees will work and how much you will be paying at the end of the divorce.
Conclusion
Remember, it’s all a psychological game. You have to keep calm and focus on things you can fight for. And, be smart and wise with your decisions especially while choosing an uncontested divorce lawyer Fairfax VA. Even your minor mistakes can cost you big time and that is exactly what the tips mentioned above will help you avoid.
