Wisconsin allows for no-fault divorces. If you have decided to end your marriage, you don’t need to consent of your spouse to file for divorce. The “irretrievable breakdown” of your marriage is a reason enough. So, what’s a contested divorce? If you and your spouse cannot agree on important issues concerning the divorce, you may have to end up in court, and that would be a contested divorce. In such circumstances, hiring a Milwaukee divorce lawyer is your best bet. In this post, we are sharing some key pointers and why legal advice is so important.
What happens in a contested divorce?
If one of the parties refuses to compromise or agree on issues like child custody, maintenance, child support, and asset & debt distribution, it would be a contested divorce. Courts usually encourage couples to settle things amicably, if possible, but when there is no room for discussion, a contested divorce is the only way out. The court will decide on the remaining issues.
What if your spouse doesn’t want a divorce?
There is no way that your spouse can stop you from filing for divorce. Yes, your spouse may refuse to cooperate or may not respond, but you can still get a default divorce. If your spouse decides to make things hard, the divorce may take longer.
How long does it take to get a divorce?
In Wisconsin, you are required to wait for at least four months (120 days from the date of filing) to get a divorce. Unfortunately, contested divorces often take much longer, often up to a year or more. It truly depends on how quickly you can resolve issues with your spouse.
How to speed up a contested divorce?
Unless two parties communicate with one another and find ways and means to resolve key issues, a contested divorce could take considerable time. That’s one of the important reasons why you need an attorney who can help you with the paperwork and help negotiate with the other side. While you and your spouse may end up arguing with one another, lawyers know how to discuss and find solutions.
As you may have guessed, a contested divorce is definitely not something you would want. If you think that your spouse is unlikely to cooperate, get an attorney and let them take things forward. If the matter eventually ends up in court, a skilled attorney can help represent your interests better.
