Unfortunately, divorce happens all too often in today’s world and sadly many of these are contested divorces. A contested divorce in Sarasota is one in which one spouse does not want the divorce or when one or both spouses disagree on any of the terms of the divorce. If the person who files the divorce states that the marriage is irrevocably broken, then the other spouse has 20 days to agree or disagree. If the other spouse disagrees, then the judge can do one of three things. The judge can order the couple to take religious or secular counseling, delay the hearing for up to three months to give the couple time to reconcile, or take any other action the court deems necessary.
A divorce is also a contested divorce is any of the conditions of the divorce are not agreed upon by both spouses. The areas that are most commonly contested are those regarding child support and time-sharing arrangements with the child/children, alimony, and the equitable division of marital property. When there is disagreement on any of these issues or on any other issue, the judge will schedule a hearing and require mediation between the two parties so that they can come to an agreement.
