CONTESTED DIVORCE
Contested Divorce in British Columbia
Divorce is a tough time for everyone involved. When you need legal support during a difficult contested divorce, call Valerie M. Little Family Law Corporation. We provide calm, professional support that helps in guiding you during this stressful time in your life.
What Is a Contested Divorce?
A contested divorce is one in which the two parties are unable to resolve all the five main issues that require resolution before a divorce can be granted. These five issues are:
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Property division
Property division laws can be difficult to navigate, especially if you and your partner have several assets. Fortunately, Valerie M. Little Law Corporation can help you. We specialize in family law, and we offer comprehensive negotiation and mediation services to our clients who need to resolve the division of family property and debt.
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Spousal support
Spousal support is one area that can cause significant stress if left unresolved. At Valerie M. Little Law Corporation, our experienced spousal support lawyer in British Columbia understands the complexities of spousal support. She is here to guide you through the process to obtain spousal support with her years of knowledge and her extensive experience.
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Child support
Divorces are rarely as smooth and simple as parents wish them to be. In some cases, one parent refuses to make or falls behind on child support payments, which leaves the other parent struggling to make ends meet. In these cases, you need a professional child support lawyer, Valerie M. Little Family Law Corporation is here to provide you with calm support and advice during these stressful circumstances.
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Child custody / Parenting Time
At Valerie M. Little Law Corporation, we don't just know about child custody, we are experts in child custody and child support. We have over 25 years of experience in family law and are knowledgeable about legal procedures to ensure your children are cared for in the best way possible. We make sure that deserving parents do not have to abdicate their custody and visitation rights—meaning that your children will end up in the best possible situation.
Not every issue will apply to every couple. If you don’t have children, then you won’t need to worry about child support or custody.
What Are the Steps in a Contested Divorce?
There are some key steps in a contested divorce process. These steps are:
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Filing the Notice of Family Claim in the BC Supreme Court, listing what your divorce issues are and what you will need to complete the Schedules that apply to your case.
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After you have completed the form and submitted your claim, you will need to serve the documents to your spouse. They will then need to respond to your claim, perhaps filing their own claim in the process, seeking any of the five items that apply to their case.
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Both parties will need to file financial statements, so the judge has a clear understanding of your finances. This allows them to divide property and assign child/spousal support.
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Finally, you will both need to attend a Judicial Case Conference, where a judge will sit with you and your lawyers to try and settle your issues. If a settlement is not reached, litigation continues, and it will go to trial.
If it goes to trial, you will need to explain to the judge what the issues are, prove the property and debt and related values, show proof of income, and state each of your abilities to care for children.
Why Choose Valerie?
In a contested divorce, a divorce attorney plays a big role in resolving the outstanding issues. In a contested divorce, a lawyer will help you organize your case and provide legal knowledge that may be necessary during the proceedings. Judges are often annoyed by self-represented litigants who try and do everything themselves.
Choosing Valerie M. Little Family Law Corporation understands that divorce is never a pleasant experience, especially when it is a contested divorce. We have experience helping many people in British Columbia with contested divorce processes, helping you understand your rights and assets.
Valerie M. Little Law Corporation is a British Columbia family law firm serves New Westminster, Burnaby, Maple Ridge, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Port Moody, Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale, Delta, and Langley. To schedule your confidential appointment, call 604-526-3333 or email Ms. Little today.