By Previn Wick
•
October 27, 2023
Divorce is a challenging process - it's a real-life lesson that no one quite prepares you for. On top of dealing with emotions, there is the legal aspect to consider as well, and that's where the real challenge can come in. In California, a contested divorce may take much longer to resolve than an uncontested one. However, before we dive into how long it can take, let's first define what a contested divorce is. In California, a contested divorce is one where the spouses can't agree on important issues like spousal support, child support, child custody, property division, and so on. More often than not, this will lead to litigation, which can take time. Lawyers will need to gather evidence, make several court appearances, and file motions. All of these things can drag on for many months or even years. Additionally, many factors can impact the timeline for your divorce case. One specific contested divorce issue that's a significant source of contention is child custody. The court will consider the 'best interests' of the child when ruling on custody. The well-being and security of the child take priority over everything else. The court will thus have to consider several factors like the child's age, health, and educational needs to make the best decision possible. As you can imagine, child custody battles can be long, emotional, and challenging for everyone involved, especially for the children. If you're planning on going through a contested divorce in California, hiring a good attorney is essential to ensure that you get the best representation possible. An experienced lawyer can help you streamline the whole process to prevent it from dragging longer than necessary, as well as offer you the best legal advice. Your attorney will be able to assist you in gathering essential documentation, presenting arguments in court, and handling any appeals if necessary. It's worth noting that the length of a contested divorce depends on many different factors. The complexity of the issues involved, the willingness of both parties to negotiate, how quickly the court schedules hearings, and many other things can all impact how long the legal proceedings will take. As a result, it's incredibly tough to predict exactly how long the process will last. However, if you're very organized, cooperative, and have a seasoned attorney to advise you throughout the process, your divorce settlement may get resolved sooner than expected. A contested divorce can take a long time to resolve in California due to the adversarial nature of the legal process. However, an experienced attorney can help streamline the process by providing you with proper guidance, support, and expertise. Do your research when looking for an attorney, choose someone who has a lot of experience in contested divorces and can guide you through the tough times. Finally, it's critical to keeping in mind that the longer the litigation process takes, the more expenses you're likely to incur, so it's always best to explore alternative dispute resolution options if possible.