Contested Divorce Attorney in Broward and Miami-Dade County
What is a Contested Divorce?
Contested Divorces
There are numerous matters to settle when dissolving a marriage, ranging from dividing assets to determining child custody and support. While some divorcing couples reach a resolution outside of the courtroom, that is not always the case. If you are currently facing this situation, you will need to pursue a contested divorce.
You can move forward with a contested divorce to settle all the issues or just those that you have yet to agree on during negotiation or mediation. Then, the judge will decide on all unsettled matters during the trial.
The other party will likely have representation during the proceedings, so you need someone in your corner as well. With more than 60 years of combined experience, our contested divorce attorneys understand the complexities of these cases. Contact our firm today to set up a consultation to discuss this and other family law matters.
What Is Decided in a Contested Divorce?
The judge will decide all matters that are not yet settled during the divorce proceedings. These might include:
- Child custody
- Child support
- Alimony
- Division of assets
- Validity of the prenuptial or postnuptial agreement
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Why Choose Cabanas Law Firm?
- Fully Bilingual – Our attorneys and staff are fluent in English and Spanish, so you don’t have to worry about the details getting lost in translation.
- Over Six Decades of Combined Experience – Sergio Cabanas, Esq. was admitted into the Florida Bar Association in 1991 and founded the firm in 2006. The firm’s attorneys have more than six decades of combined experience in family law.
- Clients Are the Priority – Our Broward and Miami-Dade County family law & divorce attorneys make each client a priority. We respond to all communications within 24 hours and provide concierge-level client services to busy professionals.
- Certified Mediators – As certified mediators, our attorneys can help clients resolve divorce and family law issues with as little contention as possible.
- Three Office Locations– Cabanas Law Firm has three offices in South Florida. You can meet with an attorney at our Pembroke Pines, Weston, or Sunny Isles Beach office.
Process For A Contested Divorce
You can initiate the process by filing a petition to dissolve your marriage with the court. The court will then serve the other party with the petition and summons, which he or she must respond to within 20 days. However, the time frame can be extended in certain cases.
Next, you and the other party will release financial information before going through court-mandated mediation, if required. Your contested divorce attorney can represent you during mediation to protect your rights and interests. You might be able to resolve some or even all matters during mediation. However, if anything is left unresolved, you will move forward with litigation. Then, your attorney will present your case to the judge, who will have the ultimate decision.
Getting Temporary Relief
Some matters cannot wait to be settled during a contested divorce. For instance, you need an immediate solution regarding time-sharing, child support, and alimony. If these matters remain unsettled for long, you could face an undue hardship and experience additional conflict during the proceedings.
Your contested divorce attorney can help you petition for temporary relief for these matters. Then, you and your spouse will follow the temporary orders until the final orders are issued.
You can alleviate some of the stress of dissolving a marriage with temporary orders. Thus, contact our Broward and Miami-Dade County Divorce Attorneys today if you are interested in exploring your options regarding temporary orders and other matters related to contested divorces.
Mediation For Contested Divorces
Florida courts typically mandate mediation when people are going through contested divorces. A neutral third-party mediator goes over each matter to determine wants, needs, and points of agreement and disagreement. Then, using non-adversarial strategies, the mediator will attempt to guide both sides closer to an agreement. If the parties settle all matters during mediation, they can avoid litigating the divorce. However, even agreeing on a single issue can make litigation faster and easier.
How Long Will It Take To Finalize The Divorce?
While a contested divorce usually takes around a year to complete, different factors can shorten or lengthen the time frame. For instance, if you only have an issue or two to figure out in court, it will not take as long as it would if you needed the judge to settle every matter related to the divorce. On the other hand, it might take longer than normal to dissolve your marriage if you are going through a high-net-worth divorce. Speak to a contested divorce attorney at our firm to better understand the process.
Why Choose The Divorce & Mediation Law Firm
Highly Responsive – We strive for rapid return calls. No going dark or waiting days to hear back.
We Take Complex and Difficult Cases – This is where tenacity and knowledge of the law matter. We do what’s necessary, even in challenging situations.
Experienced – Our attorneys have had years of experience in handling divorces for doctors, business owners, and executives, and we are 100% dedicated to divorce and family law.
Honesty and Transparency – You’ve made an important decision in your life. We respect you for that. Our approach focuses on efficiency and speed to resolve cases as quickly as we can to get your life back to normal sooner.
Caring & Compassionate (Truly) – We have a personal connection to divorce and family law matters. We know what it takes, even in extraordinarily difficult situations.
Personalized Attention – We understand and respect that every client’s needs are unique. We treat all of our clients with the attention they deserve.
Why Choose The Divorce & Mediation Law Firm
1. Highly Responsive – We strive for rapid return calls. No going dark or waiting days to hear back.
2. We Take Complex and Difficult Cases – This is where tenacity and knowledge of the law matter. We do what’s necessary, even in challenging situations.
3. Experienced – Our attorneys have had years of experience in handling divorces for doctors, business owners, and executives, and we are 100% dedicated to divorce and family law.
4. Honesty and Transparency – You’ve made an important decision in your life. We respect you for that. Our approach focuses on efficiency and speed to resolve cases as quickly as we can to get your life back to normal sooner.
5. Caring & Compassionate (Truly) – We have a personal connection to divorce and family law matters. We know what it takes, even in extraordinarily difficult situations.
6. Personalized Attention – We understand and respect that every client’s needs are unique. We treat all of our clients with the attention they deserve.
Meet Our Attorneys
Sergio Cabanas, Esq.
Managing Attorney & Founder
Laura Grossman, Esq.
Senior Associate Attorney
Brian Prieto, Esq.
Associate Attorney
Real Clients, Real Testimonials
Professional Associations
Complimentary Divorce Kit
Our easy-to-use kits will provide some answers to your questions and get the ball rolling to enable you to move through the process as quickly as possible.
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Our Locations
Service Areas
Broward County:
- Pembroke Pines
- Miramar
- Weston
- Cooper City
- Hollywood
- Davie
- Southwest Ranches
- Sunrise
- Plantation
- Fort Lauderdale
Miami-Dade County:
- Sunny Isles Beach
- Aventura
- Golden Beach
- North Beach
- North bay Village
- Dania Beach
- Hallandale Beach
- Bal Harbour
- Bay Harbor Islands
- Indian Creek
- Surfside
- Doral
- Hialeah
- Miami Lakes
- Miami Springs
- Tamiami
- Westchester
