Uncontested Divorce and Contested Divorce in California
An uncontested divorce means that the parties present negotiated agreements to the court. Such agreements detail the arrangements that have been agreed upon in all the areas that arise in any dissolution of marriage. These are typically property division, spousal support, child support, child custody and visitation, and any other issues that need to be resolved before the parties go their separate ways.
That the couple was able to present a settlement agreement to the court does not mean that the process was without pain. However, it does mean that the parties saved a great deal of money by using the assistance of attorneys, and other alternative methods of dispute resolution. It also lessened the stress of the proceedings and gave children a less adversarial environment. Lawyers such as Heather Cullen and the legal team at the Law Office of Heather M. Cullen, view an uncontested divorce as a win-win, giving each party more control over the outcome and making the process faster.
Even if there are issues between you and your spouse, lawyers recommend that the parties try to settle as many matters as possible before going to court. To explore the possibility of an uncontested divorce, contact our Riverside law firm, the Law Office of Heather M. Cullen.
A Contested Divorce Costs More in Time, Money, and Stress, But it is Sometimes the Only Way to Move Forward.
If any or all of the issues cannot be resolved, the case proceeds to trial and becomes a contested divorce. The parties, by turning over decision-making to the court, are giving up control of the outcome. Going to trial over one or more issues is sometimes the only way that the process can move forward. The only thing both parties can agree upon is their inability to arrive at a mutually satisfactory decision on their own.
Contested divorces usually arise because one of the parties hopes for reconciliation, seeks revenge on the other spouse, or believes that divorce is wrong under any circumstances. Whatever the reason, contested divorces cost more, take more time, and result in more emotional stress.
Our law firm encourages clients to try to settle as many issues outside a court setting as possible. We understand the distress that a bitterly contested divorce causes all the parties involved, especially the children. However, if going to trial is the best way to move forward with a divorce, attorney Heather Cullen and the legal team at the Law Office of Heather M. Cullen will aggressively represent your interests in court. Contact our Riverside, California, law firm to discuss your situation. We will advise you about your options, your rights, and your best course of action.
