Collin County Contested Divorce Attorney

Contested Divorce Lawyers Helping Clients in the Richardson Area

When a couple decides to divorce, they may be able to agree on the terms of their separation. However, in many cases, the couple cannot agree on one or more issues, such as child custody, child support, alimony, or property division. When this happens, the divorce is considered to be contested. Contested divorces can be highly contentious and may require the intervention of a judge to resolve the issues.

At Lisa Baker Canterberry, Attorney at Law, we understand that contested divorces can be stressful and overwhelming. Our team is here to help you navigate the process and protect your rights. We have extensive experience handling contested divorce cases and can provide you with the compassionate, personalized legal guidance you need.

Call our firm today at (214) 367-5026 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our contested divorce lawyer in Collin County.

What Is a Contested Divorce?

A contested divorce is one in which the couple cannot agree on one or more issues related to their separation. These issues may include child custody, child support, alimony, property division, and more. When a couple cannot agree on these issues, they will need to go to court and have a judge make the decisions for them.

Some of the most common issues that lead to a contested divorce include:

• Child custody
• Child support
• Alimony
• Property division
• Debt division
• Business division
• Retirement division
• And more

It is important to note that, even if a couple agrees on all of these issues, they may still need to go to court to finalize their divorce. This is because a judge must review the couple's settlement agreement and ensure that it is fair and reasonable. If the judge does not believe that the agreement is fair, they may ask the couple to revise it.

How Long Does a Contested Divorce Take?

Contested divorces can take anywhere from a few months to several years to finalize. The length of the process will depend on a variety of factors, including the complexity of the issues involved, the number of issues that need to be resolved, and the willingness of the couple to work together to reach an agreement.

Some of the most common factors that can affect the length of a contested divorce include:

• The complexity of the issues involved
• The number of issues that need to be resolved
• The willingness of the couple to work together to reach an agreement
• The court's schedule
• Whether the couple has children
• Whether the couple has significant assets
• Whether the couple has significant debts
• Whether the couple has a prenuptial agreement
• Whether the couple has a business
• Whether the couple has retirement accounts
• Whether the couple has real estate

It is important to note that, even if a couple is able to reach an agreement on all of the issues related to their divorce, it will still take some time for the judge to review the agreement and finalize the divorce. In Collin County, it typically takes a judge between 30 and 90 days to review a settlement agreement and issue a final divorce decree.

How Much Does a Contested Divorce Cost?

Contested divorces can be expensive. In fact, the average cost of a contested divorce in the United States is between $15,000 and $30,000. However, the cost of a contested divorce can vary widely depending on a variety of factors, including the complexity of the issues involved, the number of issues that need to be resolved, and the willingness of the couple to work together to reach an agreement.

It is important to note that, even if a couple is able to reach an agreement on all of the issues related to their divorce, it will still take some time for the judge to review the agreement and finalize the divorce. In Collin County, it typically takes a judge between 30 and 90 days to review a settlement agreement and issue a final divorce decree.

How to Prepare for a Contested Divorce

Contested divorces can be highly contentious and may require the intervention of a judge to resolve the issues. As such, it is important to be prepared. By taking the time to gather the necessary documents and information, you can help ensure that your divorce goes as smoothly as possible.

Some of the most important documents and information you will need to gather include:

• Your marriage certificate
• Your prenuptial agreement (if you have one)
• Your financial records
• Your tax returns
• Your bank statements
• Your credit card statements
• Your mortgage documents
• Your car loan documents
• Your retirement account statements
• Your investment account statements
• Your business records
• Your real estate records
• Your estate planning documents
• Your children's birth certificates
• Your children's school records
• Your children's medical records
• Your children's extracurricular records
• Your children's child care records
• Your children's health insurance information
• Your children's child support records
• Your children's visitation records
• Your children's custody records

In addition to gathering these documents, you should also take the time to think about what you want to achieve in your divorce. By setting goals for yourself, you can help ensure that you are prepared to negotiate with your spouse and advocate for your best interests.

Call our firm today at (214) 367-5026 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our contested divorce lawyer in Collin County.