The Complicated Process Of Contested Divorce In Alabama

July 9, 2019
Written on behalf of Daniel H. Chambers Attorney at Law, P .C.

When a couple decides to get a divorce, it’s not always easy to determine how to equitably split formerly shared property, financial resources, and child custody. Some spouses come to an agreement amongst themselves, but many cases require the assistance of a mediator, attorney or judge.

In Alabama, a contested divorce case arises when the two parties cannot come to an agreement on the terms and conditions of the pending divorce. The contested divorce process is complicated and there are certain steps that must be followed before the divorce becomes final.

1) One party must establish the grounds for divorce and file the complaint with the court. The complaint should mention the party’s requested terms on the property, child custody, and financial support.

2) The complaint will then be served to the other party. The other party can respond with a counterclaim, and then a period of discovery occurs.

3) During discovery, either party can file information and evidence to support their case. This period of time is critical, and it’s important to have a knowledgeable legal attorney on your side through this process.

4) Negotiations begin and the court will listen to both parties. The court will then enter a final decree that will resolve all issues and make the divorce final.

If you’ve gone through a contested divorce and are not happy with the court’s final decision, then you still have a window of time to appeal the decision. When life situations change, a modification in agreements like child custody may need to be evaluated.

As a divorce and family lawyer specialist, Attorney Daniel Chambers can help advise you on your divorce case regardless of how far along in the process you are. He will develop a strategy to seek a reasonable resolution for you and your family.

Click here to get a free consultation with an experienced Birmingham, AL family lawyer.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney/client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.