While you may think divorces are always ugly, that is not the case. Many couples have an agreement on the various components of a divorce, such as child custody, alimony, asset division, etc. Unfortunately, a significant percentage of divorcing couples are not like this.
Most couples do not agree with each other and have constant fights. This can make the divorce process more stressful, lengthy, and even expensive. However, there are times when a contested divorce might just be the right option for you. The best way to determine if you should consider a contested divorce is to consult with a Birmingham contested divorce lawyer.
Reasons to choose a contested divorce
- The court considers the best interests of the children.
One of the most common issues that divorcing parents disagree upon is child custody. When parents keep fighting for custody, the process can also become stressful for the child. In a contested divorce, the court makes the decision.
The judge looks at various factors, including the ability to support the child emotionally and financially, history of abuse, wishes of the children, etc. After much research, the court announces a decision that works for the best interests of the child and not the parents.
- You have experienced abuse in the marriage.
When you finally decide to divorce an abusive spouse, you may want to skip all the hassles by opting for an uncontested divorce. After all, you have been waiting for this moment for a long time, and you cannot wait to be disassociated from an abusive personality. However good that may seem, it won’t work well for you in the long run.
Abusive spouses are not likely to spare you during the divorce. They may interfere with the proceedings and stall the process as much as they can. They may try to take revenge on you by filing unnecessary motions. This is why it is important to retain an attorney in Birmingham who can protect your rights.
- Your spouse may be hiding assets.
It is not uncommon for spouses to hide their assets during divorces to avoid sharing them with their ex. If your spouse is able to conceal the assets successfully, then the judge will not count those when dividing the properties. Therefore, you will end up getting less than you deserve.
Moreover, assets have an influence on spousal and child support as well. Thankfully, there are tools you can use to find out these hidden assets. Nevertheless, it is important to retain an attorney to be on the safe side.
