Contested Divorce Attorney in Grand Junction, Colorado
Practice Areas
Going through a divorce can be emotionally and financially taxing, leaving individuals feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about their future. Just as you wouldn’t want to end up facing the storm without rescuers around, you don’t want to face a divorce without an attorney by your side.
Any divorce can be an emotionally charged process, particularly when it involves many points of contention between the divorcing individuals. The contested divorce attorney at Le Fleur Law LLC strives to reach resolutions that are satisfactory to her clients while reducing the stress and burden usually associated with the process.
With an office in Grand Junction, Colorado, attorney Annie Le Fleur serves clients throughout Mesa County, Montrose County, and Delta County.
What Is a Contested Divorce?
A contested divorce is when spouses cannot agree on key issues like child and spousal support, property division, and others. Unlike an uncontested divorce where both parties amicably agree on all terms, a contested divorce requires intervention from the court to resolve disputes. This can make the divorce process more complicated, hostile, and time-consuming, but it ensures that each party's rights and interests are fairly considered.
Differences Between a Contested and Uncontested Divorce
A contested and uncontested divorce have several key differences, including:
Agreement levels: In an uncontested divorce, both parties agree on all matters, making the process smoother and quicker. Conversely, a contested divorce is when a couple has disagreements that need resolution through legal proceedings.
Complexity: Uncontested divorces are straightforward, often with less paperwork and fewer court appearances. Contested divorces, however, are more complex, involving extensive documentation and multiple court hearings.
Emotional strain: While any divorce is emotionally challenging, the adversarial nature of a contested divorce can amplify stress and conflict.
Often, a contested divorce is not a choice but a necessity as not all divorcing couples are able to reach mutually acceptable solutions on their own.
Issues That Can Be Addressed in a Contested Divorce
A contested divorce can resolve a plethora of critical issues, including:
Child custody and visitation rights
Child support
Division of marital assets and debts
Alimony or spousal support
Division of retirement accounts
Disputes over family businesses
Property division
Health insurance coverage
Education costs for children
Disposition of marital home
The more contested issues there are, the longer it will take to finalize a contested divorce. On average, a contested divorce can take anywhere from six months to over a year to finalize. Delays may occur due to crowded court schedules, extensive discovery processes, or the need for multiple hearings.
For Dependable Representation
What Is the Process of a Contested Divorce in Colorado?
Handling a contested divorce in Colorado involves several steps, each designed to ensure a fair resolution.
1. Filing the Petition
The process begins with one spouse filing a petition for divorce. This document outlines the grounds for the divorce, and the relief sought.
2. Serving the Petition
The filed petition must be served to the other spouse, providing them with formal notice of the divorce proceedings.
3. Response
Upon receiving the petition, the other spouse must respond within a stipulated timeframe, indicating whether they agree or contest the terms.
4. Discovery
During this phase, both parties exchange information and documents pertinent to the case. This step is crucial for uncovering essential details about assets, income, and other relevant factors.
5. Negotiations and Mediation
Parties may attempt to resolve disputes through negotiations or mediation. However, if they fail to reach an agreement, the case proceeds to trial.
6. Trial
During the trial, both parties present evidence and arguments before a judge, who then makes decisions on contested issues based on the law and facts presented.
Risks of Handling Contested Divorce On Your Own
Attempting to handle a contested divorce without professional legal assistance can lead to several risks:
Giving up rights: Without proper legal guidance, individuals may unknowingly forfeit important rights regarding property and child custody.
Making mistakes with paperwork: The legal paperwork involved in a contested divorce can be too daunting. Errors can result in delays, financial penalties, or unfavorable outcomes.
Losing time with children: Poorly presented arguments can result in losing valuable time with children, impacting long-term relationships.
Making weak arguments: Lacking legal background often leads to weak arguments and inadequate representation in court.
Facing an unequal battle: Without an attorney, individuals are more likely to lose a battle against a spouse who has legal representation, which means being unrepresented puts you at a disadvantage.
When your future and stability are at stake, it’s no good time to take unnecessary risks or leave anything to chance. By hiring an attorney to represent you during your contested divorce, you leave no room for error.
How a Contested Divorce Attorney Can Help
A contested divorce attorney provides guidance and support in many ways:
Legal experience: They have a deep understanding of divorce law in Colorado and can offer legal advice tailored to your situation.
Negotiation skills: Attorneys are skilled negotiators whose job involves helping their client achieve favorable settlements without the need for a trial.
Court representation: If the case proceeds to trial, an attorney will work to ensure competent representation, presenting strong arguments on your behalf.
Document preparation: Attorneys handle all necessary paperwork to ensure accuracy and compliance with legal requirements.
Protecting rights: An attorney safeguards your rights during your contested divorce, ensuring no aspect of your case is overlooked.
Reducing stress: By helping you manage the legalities, an attorney allows you to focus on emotional healing and moving forward.
Besides, knowing that you are not alone during a time as difficult as divorce can give you much-needed peace of mind. A contested divorce attorney will be your ally who advocates for your interests and guides you through the legal proceedings with utmost care, compassion, and professionalism.
Why Choose Le Fleur Law LLC?
Le Fleur Law LLC stands out for several reasons, making it the preferred choice for individuals facing a contested divorce in Grand Junction and other parts of Mesa County, Montrose County, and Delta County:
Zealous advocacy: The founder–attorney Annie La Fleur–is a dedicated advocate, tirelessly working to protect her clients' interests.
Aggressive litigator: With a reputation for being formidable in court, attorney Le Fleur ensures that clients receive strong representation.
Empathetic to clients' needs: Understanding the emotional toll of divorce, attorney Le Fleur offers compassionate support throughout the process.
Attention to detail: Every aspect of a case is meticulously examined, ensuring no detail is overlooked.
Solutions tailored to you: Recognizing that every case is unique, attorney Le Fleur provides personalized solutions that address every client’s specific needs and goals.
For years, hundreds of clients have relied on Le Fleur Law LLC’s diligent advocacy and thoughtful guidance in family law matters. As evident from the testimonials, attorney Le Fleur has had tremendous success in achieving favorable resolutions for her clients.
Contested Divorce Attorney in Grand Junction, Colorado
When your divorce becomes contested, you might want to work with an attorney to provide you with the legal counsel you need. As a contested divorce lawyer, attorney Le Fleur has an in-depth understanding of the law and is committed to providing strategic guidance tailored to each client’s unique circumstances.
Le Fleur Law LLC will help negotiate out-of-court agreements whenever possible or fight to obtain favorable resolutions at trial. Book your consultation today to learn more about how attorney Le Fleur could help you.