In some divorce cases, both spouses agree on all issues and finalize the divorce quickly. However, in many cases, a divorcing couple cannot reach an agreement on important matters, requiring the intervention of the court. A contested divorce occurs when spouses disagree on any matters within the divorce. They need the court to decide on the matter for them. A contested divorce attorney is experienced in managing the many elements of a North Carolina divorce case while representing your interests and seeking settlement terms that are fair and appropriate for both parties.
You may feel that your perspectives and preferred divorce terms are reasonable, while your spouse seems to be drawing the conflict out with outrageous demands. Alternatively, it may seem your spouse is failing to acknowledge the concerns you are putting forth. It may be that despite mutual efforts, you are simply unable to agree.
If you are going through a contested divorce, you may be feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or angry. Working with a qualified divorce attorney can take some of the stress off your shoulders while ensuring you avoid missteps that threaten to complicate your life after your divorce.
Even if you and your spouse agree on all but one issue, a judge will need to be involved, and your divorce will be considered contested. Essentially, a divorce that does not qualify for the more efficient process of uncontested divorce will be a contested divorce.
Couples often disagree on a wide range of issues, such as the following:
We can help you from the beginning to streamline the contested divorce process and work with the other party towards greater agreement. Contact our contested divorce legal team at Speaks Law Firm, PC, Family Law Division to schedule a case review.
Different states use different procedures to divide assets in divorce cases. North Carolina uses an equitable distribution policy in which a judge seeks to divide the marital property fairly and equitably between both spouses. Due to the nature of some indivisible property items and other factors considered, this does not mean the division will necessarily be equal or balanced; the goal is to make the property division fair and just.
Marital fault and other types of misconduct in the marriage typically do not affect the equitable distribution of shared assets. Additionally, the spouse who filed the divorce does not have any priority over the other spouse in the division of assets.
Still, a judge will consider several factors to determine how to divide assets fairly. These may include:
Working with a contested divorce attorney can help you more reliably pursue a fair outcome in this process. Your attorney can advocate for you to the judge and present evidence in your favor.
If you and your spouse have a shared child, you can attempt to create a custody arrangement on your own. However, if you cannot agree on custody, a judge will intervene to determine an appropriate arrangement for the welfare of your child.
The judge will consider many factors when creating a custody arrangement, such as:
While examining these factors, the judge will attempt to create an arrangement that promotes the child’s interests. If you are seeking majority custody in a divorce case, you will need an experienced contested divorce lawyer on your side.
The amount of time a contested divorce in North Carolina will take will vary, depending on several factors. A major factor that will affect the duration of the divorce process in North Carolina is your ability to agree to terms.
After one of the spouses files for divorce, the other spouse has 30 days to respond by either filing an Answer or requesting an extension. After the 30 days have passed, a hearing date can be set with the county, and the time will be based on availability. The divorce will be final when the judge signs the judgment.
Before you can begin an “absolute divorce,” as North Carolina calls the legal dissolution of marriage, you and your spouse must first live apart for one year before proceeding with the divorce. Understand that you or your spouse also must have lived in North Carolina for at least six months before you can file for divorce.
Depending on how many of the requirements you have already fulfilled when you begin the process your divorce could take a couple of months or over a year and a half. However, working with an experienced divorce lawyer from the start can help you streamline this process.
Contested divorces can be messy, stressful, and overwhelming. Even if you and your spouse were on good terms during the marriage, disagreeing on major issues can bring out your worst sides.
However, a contested divorce attorney can take some of the stress out of your divorce process. Your attorney can:
If you’re looking for professional contested divorce lawyers to assist your divorce, Speaks Law Firm, PC, Family Law Division can help. Contact us today in Wilmington, NC to schedule your case review.
We respect your privacy. The information you provide will be used to answer your question or to schedule an appointment if requested.
At Speaks Law Firm, PC Family Law Division, we provide you with multimedia educational resources to help you become informed regarding your Family Law situation. We invite you to explore our library of articles and videos. The better you understand the factors in your case, the more effectively we can work together towards your goals.
Below are some frequently asked questions about Divorce:
Our firm’s experienced Wilmington divorce lawyers can clarify all the filing requirements for North Carolina divorces. You can start divorce proceedings in North Carolina if:
Generally, North Carolina is a no-fault divorce state. If even one of the spouses wishes to end the marriage, it’s enough to start the divorce process. However, because of the one-year waiting period, people who choose to divorce because of marital misconduct like adultery or abuse may pursue legal separation first.
Our skilled divorce lawyer at Speaks Law Firm, PC Family Law Division can help protect your rights during property distribution. In North Carolina, you have two asset distribution options:
When dividing marital assets, NC divorce courts use the principle of equitable distribution rather than a 50-50 split. The court’s goal is fair asset distribution based on both spouses’ income, earning capacity, needs, and child custody arrangements.
Consult our Wilmington divorce attorney team to protect your children’s interests and your parental rights during divorce. If you have minor children, preserving stability in their lives during and after divorce is your primary concern.
NC divorce courts always prefer that the co-parents work out a mutually acceptable custody and visitation plan. If custody disagreements arise, the judge will usually mandate mediation for the co-parents before hearing the case. The child’s best interests are the deciding factor in all custody disputes.
While some couples settle their divorces without legal help, it’s highly advisable to work with a knowledgeable family divorce lawyer who can counsel you on your legal rights, negotiate with your spouse and their divorce attorney, draft or revise a separation agreement, and smooth any conflicts that arise during divorce. At Speaks Law Firm, PC Family Law Division in Wilmington, NC, we are here to represent and advise you as you go through this stressful life event. Call us at (910) 769-7339 for a consultation.
Divorce hearings can be scary for anyone. They are even more intimidating if you are getting divorced for the first time. Are you wondering what to expect in divorce court? There is no specific answer. Every case is different and it may present unique challenges and experiences. However, having unclear or unrealistic expectations may lead to disappointments. Ask for help from Wilmington family lawyers. They will help you set your expectations right.
Divorce can be stressful for anyone. It does not matter how bad your marriage was. Remember that all divorce cases are different. Do not expect to have the same experiences that your friends did. Expect to experience a rollercoaster of emotions including:
Divorce court is not as complicated as you may think. Working with your Wilmington family lawyers makes the process simpler. However, you should not expect to stand there while your lawyer does all the work.
You must work with them to get the settlement that matches your expectations. Do not let your fear or anger take over. You must remain calm even when your spouse is lying against you.
Do not expect to “win” in a divorce case. No one really wins in divorce court. Even when dealing with important matters such as alimony, custody, or division of property, you should keep your emotions in check. Note that you won’t always get everything you want.
Hiring a lawyer is a good idea even if you are going through a non-contested divorce. Divorce lawyers give you the legal advice you need to get through the difficult period. Like marriage, divorce is a legal process that should be treated professionally.
A divorce lawyer will protect your rights, interpret legal terms, speed up the process, help you initiate conversations with your spouse, and ensure fairness through the process. Hiring a lawyer should not be seen as an act of aggression.
Even when going through a divorce, you should remember that the children are not getting divorced. You should avoid saying rude or hurtful things to your spouse in their presence. Seek the help of a therapist.
They will help the children process their emotions and get through the process. You should also get co-parenting classes for their sake. The more you fight during a divorce, the more damaging the process can be.
Do not attempt to interfere with the relationship between your children and your spouse unless there is a history of abuse.
If you need the help of Wilmington family lawyers, seek help from Speaks Law Firm, PC Family Law Division. We understand that divorce can be a very personal and sensitive matter. You need the help of good lawyers through the process. We will treat you with respect and high levels of professionalism through the process. Contact us today and book an appointment.
While a family court is a court within the civil court system (in contrast to the criminal court system), when a family court issues an order, the person named in the order is required under law to fulfill the obligations of the order. For example, if a court orders a person to pay child support and they fail to do so, they are in direct violation of a court order and can be penalized as such.
One such penalty for violating a family court order is being held in contempt of court. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our Wilmington family lawyers at the law office of the Speaks Law Firm, PC Family Law Division to learn more, and consider the following about what you should know about contempt of court in a family law case in North Carolina:
What Is Civil Contempt of Court?
If a party does not fulfill their family court order, the affected party can file a motion to hold the party in default in civil contempt of court. Such an order may be filed when a party fails to comply with a court order in regards to:
The purpose of filing a civil contempt order is to force a delinquent party to comply with the order.
The purpose of holding someone in civil contempt of court is not necessarily to punish the defendant, but instead to ensure that they comply with the court order. While a person may be incarcerated for up to 90 days initially (and up to one year per North Carolina Statute Section 5A-21, typically, a judge will order payment of any unpaid benefits (child support, alimony, etc.) or garnishment of wages, or take action to require the defendant to comply with the original court order.
In some cases, a person who is in violation of a court order could be held in criminal contempt of court, although a person cannot be found in criminal contempt for the same conduct that landed them in civil contempt. If a person is found in criminal contempt, they may be ordered to pay a fine and may be subject to incarceration.
If your ex-spouse is in violation of a court order, you do not merely have to accept the default. Instead, you have the right to take steps to enforce the court order, including filing a contempt motion with the court and serving the defendant with the motion. In order to ensure that your motion of contempt is filed accurately, it is best to work with a qualified lawyer who has experience managing contempt of court cases. In addition to filing a contempt motion, an attorney can also help you to understand the other options you have for enforcing a court order.
To learn more about how our family lawyers at the office of Speaks Law Firm, PC Family Law Division can help, please call us today or send us a message. We know how emotional and complex family law matters can be, and want to provide you with the representation you deserve.
This website and the information contained here within is provided by Speaks Law Firm, PC Family Law Division as a service to clients and friends. It is not intended to be a solicitation or to render legal advice. Contained in the website is information about legal issues and legal developments. Content provided is for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current legal developments. The content is not intended, and should not be taken, as legal advice on any particular set of facts or circumstances. You should contact an attorney for advice on specific legal problems.
Use of this website or the information provided by this website, including contacting one of our attorneys, does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and the firm. Prior to the acceptance of a new client or matter, the firm must conduct a search for possible conflicts of interest (already representing another party involved in the matter), and obtain a signed engagement letter. This website should not be used to provide confidential information about a legal matter. This website may provide links to third-party websites. Such linked websites are not under the control of Speaks Law Firm, PC Family Law Division and the firm assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the contents of such websites.
