Contested divorces can be lengthy, emotionally fraught, and expensive. When you and your former spouse cannot agree on essential issues, it may seem as if you will never be able to reach an agreement. However, an Orland Park contested divorce lawyer can help.

Throughout the process, a well-versed divorce lawyer can advocate on your behalf to make sure that any agreements are fair to you. Our attorneys can also work to find ways to help you reach solutions in a timely manner, whether through mediation or litigation.

When Is a Divorce Considered Contested in Orland Park?

A contested divorce generally involves one party seeking a divorce from another party that does not want a divorce and fights it. Because Illinois is a no-fault divorce state, the divorce will happen whether regardless of whether both parties agree to it. However, the fact that it is contested may drag it out longer and may make it more difficult to reach agreements about issues that must be settled.

The biggest areas of disagreement in a contested divorce are issues involving children such as parenting plans and issues involving finances such as the division of property. In a contested divorce situation, Orland Park Judges may need to intervene to reach fair agreements by pushing mediation and appointing a child representative to help settle custody issues. If the parties still cannot reach an agreement, the judge may set the matter for trial and make a ruling for all of the contested issues.

Parties Involved in the Process

There are several parties who may be necessary to help settle a contested divorce. The most obvious are the attorneys for each party and the judge. However, other professionals such as an attorney representing the children and a mediator may also be necessary.

The Attorneys

In the contested divorce, the lawyer can work to help reach a settlement. In a contested divorce, the attorney’s is going to be much more hands-on. They will generally need to do more of an investigation into the other person’s circumstances and finances. An attorney can also work to mitigate the situation by asking the court to send the parties to mediation to try to settle the case without needing to go to trial.

Children’s Attorney

The interests of the children in a divorce are sometimes best represented by the appointment of an attorney advocating specifically for them. If this happens, the children will not be present during court proceedings and negotiations, but the attorney who is representing them will be and will work to make sure that each decision reflects their needs and interests.

Mediator

A mediator is a neutral third party who can meet with the parties to the divorce and their attorneys and help settle any disagreements. In a contested divorce, mediation may help the parties settle some of the issues they cannot agree on. This can help them maintain more control over the settlement and minimize the involvement of the court.

Reach Out to an Orland Park Contested Divorce Attorney

If you are in the middle of a contested divorce, it is essential that you have an attorney who can advocate on your behalf. An experienced Orland Park contested divorce attorney can work with you to reach agreements that are best for you and your family. To learn more about how we can help, call Reidy Law Office LLC today.