Contested Divorce Lawyer Suffolk County

Contested Divorce Lawyer Suffolk County

A contested divorce refers to when a couple cannot reach an agreement on crucial issues to end their marriage. Their arguments most often involve complex matters, even more than what a contested divorce attorney can manage during negotiations. Hence, the couple has no option but to seek help from the court to settle these issues on their behalf. Many contested divorces occur because of a set of multiple essential matters that should be considered and addressed, including child custody, support, visitation, alimony, and property division, among others.

Contested divorces are common because many issues need to be worked out between divorcing couples, including:

  • Child Support: How much should the non-custodial parent support the children’s needs through their income?

  • Child Visitation: The visitation rights with his / her children that the non-custodial parent will have after separation.

  • Spousal Support a.k.a. Alimony: Entitlement of one of the spouses to receive financial assistance from the other spouse after separation through a divorce.

  • Division of Property and Assets: The allocation of the property shared among both spouses, including the marriage house, retirement accounts, and any other valuables.

  • Allocation of Debts: How will debts incurred during marriage be divided?

The Law Offices of Shawn R. Kassman is the source of professional representation for people in Suffolk County, Nassau County, and surrounding areas such as Bayshore, Oakdale, Sayville, Riverhead, Port Jefferson, Brentwood, and Holtsville who are facing contested divorces. We are situated in the heart of Central Islip, so we can best help clients with the complexity of contested divorce cases.

You have to have an experienced contested divorce lawyer practicing in the field of family law when you are having a contested divorce. Shawn R. Kassman will question you to get information related to marital assets, children, and other issues that are applicable to your case. Shawn R. Kassman will discuss property division strategy, draft your divorce petition, and file it with the court. To schedule a consultation, call 631-232-9479 or call 1-888-545-2944.

Step-by-Step Divorce Process By Contested Divorce Lawyer Suffolk County

The contested divorce process can be lengthy and complicated, and there are several key stages to it. Here’s what you should expect:

  • Filing the Divorce Petition

A divorce begins with the filing of a divorce petition. This legal document outlines the terms of your divorce and any requests you’re making regarding custody, property division, alimony, and other matters. After the petition has been filed with the court, it is served to your spouse either by being present in person, by mail, or through a deputy sheriff. In the case that your spouse can’t be found, the court will allow you to publish a notice in some local newspaper and then wait for the specified period before continuing.

  • Answering the Petition

After your spouse is served the divorce petition, it may take 30 days to respond. If your spouse does not respond within the said days, then they could be considered in default, wherein you can ask for default judgment. If your spouse does respond, then proceed with the following stages:

  • Discovery

The discovery phase is a critical aspect of a contested divorce. In this phase, spouses share information related to the divorce process, such as details about assets, income, child custody, and other issues that need to be resolved. This process is achieved through written interrogatories (questions), requests for documents, and depositions (interviews under oath). In some cases, the spouses may request temporary orders at this stage, such as temporary child support or alimony payments.  In addition a net worth statement is exchanged between the parties which is an overview of each party’s financial position as well as pay stubs and tax returns and bank statements are exchanged.

  • Settlement Negotiations

Most judges will encourage couples to reach an agreement over their differences, which will then be presented before the court for a final hearing. In case the couple reaches an agreement, they may show their agreement to the court to ratify it. But if the couple cannot agree, the court will compel them to mediate. Mediation is where a third neutral party assists the spouses in negotiating and resolving their disputes. If mediation fails, then the case proceeds into the discovery phase and then on to trial.

  • Trial

In case mediation or settlement negotiations do not succeed in solving the problems, the divorce case will go to trial. In the course of the trial, both spouses will be allowed to present their case, call witnesses, and cross-examine the other side’s witnesses. After listening to all the evidence, the judge will make a final decision regarding the contested issues, such as child custody, child support, alimony, and division of assets.

Importance of Professional Contested Divorce Lawyer

A contested divorce is emotionally and financially draining, and the process can get really complex. In fact, you need the best lawyer to defend your rights and make the complexity manageable. That’s why Shawn R. Kassman, an experienced contested divorce attorney Suffolk County, is here for you. Shawn R. Kassman will help guide you through every step of the divorce process, protecting your rights and giving you the best chance of getting the best result possible.

Call Us Now

If you are experiencing a contested divorce, do not walk through this complex process alone. The Law Offices of Shawn R. Kassman is dedicated to offering full-service legal assistance for those in Suffolk and Nassau counties. You can rely on us for help with child custody disputes, asset division, and alimony. Contact us today at 631-232-9479 or toll-free at 1-888-545-2944 to schedule a consultation and discuss your case with an experienced family law attorney.