Land Legal Group is dedicated to providing high-quality legal services throughout Los Angeles and surrounding areas, including Little Tokyo, Old Chinatown, Naud Junction, New Chinatown, Aliso Village, Mission Junction, Taylor Junction, Angelino Heights, Pico Gardens, Brooklyn Heights, Glendale Junction, Butte Street Junction, Dayton Avenue, Boyle Heights, Lincoln Heights, Wyvernwood, and Saint James Park. With a deep understanding of the unique cultural dynamics and legal needs of each neighborhood, we are committed to providing compassionate and effective legal representation to our clients.
At the Land Legal Group, our Los Angeles divorce attorneys know that unless our clients have dissolved a marriage before, they may not have any idea about what to expect during the proceedings.
The reality is, a California divorce will unfold much as the marriage did. If the couple amicably agreed on most things and pursued combined paths before deciding it was time to go their separate ways, they can typically sort out the details of their dissolution during negotiations facilitated during an uncontested divorce.
However, if their relationship was often contentious, and the spouses could not agree on nearly anything, their divorce will typically follow that trend, and result in a contested divorce.
Here is what our clients need to know about contested and uncontested divorces, so they can make informed decisions about their path to becoming single again.
What is a Contested Divorce?
A contested divorce is exactly like it sounds: Disputed.
Contested divorces often result when the spouses cannot agree on the various points that must be settled to finalize their dissolution.
That may include disputes over property division, spousal support, child custody, or child support decisions that must move from the couple’s control to the court’s control.
When we must litigate the details of a divorce inside the courtroom, we will make the necessary compelling arguments to support our client’s requests that are combined with our knowledge of California family laws, so their case is supported from all angles.
Contested divorces typically take longer than their uncontested counterparts, because the judge will decide every contested issue after either a hearing or during the trial.
The downside to contested divorce is that both spouses lose control of the decision-making process, which could end in a verdict they were not expecting.
What is an Uncontested Divorce?
Uncontested divorces are typically much simpler and more affordable than a contested divorce, as the spouses make most of the decisions on their own, without the court’s intervention.
When they cannot agree on certain sticking points, they can seek an alternative dispute resolution method like mediation or count on their attorneys to negotiate the details outside of court in a more amicable and friendly manner.
Are You Considering Divorce and Are Unsure How to Proceed? We Can Help.
If you are seeking a divorce in California and would like to understand how the courts view custody agreements and parenting plan details, contact our skilled family law attorneys in Los Angeles County at the Land Legal Group today at (310) 552-3500 to schedule a consultation to discuss your unique needs to learn how we can help.