Contested Divorce Lawyer in Johnstown, PA

If you are going through a divorce, you’re navigating difficult emotional and legal terrain. If your divorce is contested, however, it takes your case to an entirely new level of complication. Our experienced Johnstown contested divorce lawyers at Silverman, Tokarsky & Forman, L.L.C., will leave no stone unturned in our focused efforts to finalize your case without ever losing sight of your rights.

The Point at Which a Divorce Becomes Contested

A divorce is classified as contested only if it is litigated in court, and this happens when the couple is unable to resolve any one or more of the applicable divorce terms any other way. These terms include each of the following:

• The fair division of marital property
• Child custody arrangements, which include legal and physical custody
• Child support
• Alimony

Any one of these terms can become a serious stumbling block, which could require intervention by the court. If, however, the couple does find a way to reach a mutually acceptable agreement for each applicable term prior to resolving the case in court, the divorce is uncontested. This means a case that has a court date scheduled and is presumed to be contested can actually be uncontested if the spouses are able to hammer out their differences in the meantime.

The Advantages Associated with Uncontested Divorce

Just because a divorce is uncontested does not mean there isn’t animosity involved. In fact, uncontested cases can become incredibly ugly. In general, however, uncontested divorces tend to be less contentious than contested cases, which can help minimize related drama. This is a good place to start when it comes to taking some of the pressure off the involved children, who can experience serious emotional trauma in response to divorce.

Additional advantages include all the following:

• Uncontested cases tend to be finalized more quickly due to very full court dockets.
• Uncontested cases are generally less expensive.
• While court records are a matter of public information, uncontested cases afford couples more privacy.
• In an uncontested divorce, you retain the authority to make important decisions on your own behalf, which many people consider the most important distinction.

Why Cases End Up in Court

While avoiding a contested divorce is almost universally advised, there are situations when cutting one’s losses is the better approach. If your divorcing spouse has made it perfectly clear that they would rather thwart you than establish reasonable divorce terms, no amount of negotiating is likely to make a difference. This is a prime example of when heading straight to trial may be the best approach.

Even very challenging divorces can generally be resolved through negotiations, which can include mediation. If, however, your spouse is attempting to hide assets or otherwise cheat you financially, you will likely need to address the matter in court.

Consult with Our Experienced Johnstown Contested Divorce Attorneys Today

Our formidable Johnstown contested divorce lawyers at Silverman, Tokarsky & Forman, L.L.C., appreciate the significance of your divorce terms, and we are well prepared to skillfully advocate for your rights at trial. Your case is important, so please don’t delay contacting us online or giving our firm a call at 814-536-8600 today.