KNOXVILLE CONTESTED DIVORCE LAWYERS
Thinking about leaving your spouse and starting a new life on your own?
Such cases are deeply personal—at Held Law Firm, every Knoxville divorce lawyer understands completely. We also understand that you want to get the whole divorce process over with as quickly as possible. That's where our contested divorce attorneys step in. No matter how complicated your case may be, we will work hard to protect your rights so you can move on to the next chapter of your life.
Ready to Start Fresh? Contact a Knoxville Divorce Attorney Today —call (865) 685-4780 or contact us online.
Understanding Contested Divorce in Knoxville
It is common for spouses to be unable to come to an agreement regarding the end of their marriage. These are called contested divorces. Most people think that if they are agreeing to get divorced, it is an uncontested divorce. This is not true.
Key Questions That Define a Contested Divorce:
- You may not agree why the marriage has ended – the “grounds” for divorce.
- Disagreements on Property and Debt Division
- Child Custody and Support Disputes
- Disagreements on Spousal Support and Alimony
Our lawyers at Held Law Firm can help you work out these issues with your spouse. You don't have to compromise your rights or best interest.
Knoxville Divorce FAQs: Contested Divorce Explained
Common Grounds for Divorce in Knoxville
We most often litigate contested cases over grounds when one of the spouses has committed adultery, become addicted to drugs, or committed domestic violence. This is because you cannot really talk through the custody and property issues with someone who is cheating, has hit you, or is under the influence of drugs.
Property Settlement Disputes in Divorce
We have most often litigated contested cases over property issues when one spouse attempts to hide assets from the other spouse.
To win those cases requires a thorough investigation of that spouse’s bank, credit card, and retirement accounts. Safety deposit boxes are hard to find. In one case we litigated several years ago, we even filed a motion to search a piece of land to search for buried gold. These days, our investigation is more likely to require us to find alternative forms of currency, such as cryptocurrency (e.g. bitcoin).
The second most common property disputes happen over things with sentimental value—the attachment you might have to the house you raised your children in, or a dispute over Pet Custody: Who Gets the Family Pet?.
We also pay special attention to High Asset Divorce Cases in Knoxville. We analyze transactions between complicated financial holdings, such as family businesses, trust accounts, and accounts with multiple authorized signatories. We may need to retain the services of a forensic accountant, especially if the parties cannot work together to assess their financial circumstances through collaborative law.
Navigating Child Custody Agreements
Without a doubt, most of our contested divorce cases involve the care, custody, and support of the parties’ minor children.
Investigating Child Custody: Key Steps
- Issuing subpoenas for medical, financial, and school records
- Interviewing teachers, mental health providers, and coaches
- Documenting the conditions of each parent’s home
- Running background checks on people associated with each parent
- Coordinating employment schedules
- Checking the records of various daycares
- Checking the rankings of various schools
It only gets more complex when parents start dating again, move to another state, or take another job. Custody cases are the most strenuous and complex cases we try.
Understanding Child Support in Knoxville
But even after we resolve a custody case, our work is not done. Calculating Child Support: Essential Factors
- Determine the cost of daycare and make sure it’s reasonable
- Calculate the child’s portion of health insurance payments by one parent or the other
- Determine whether the child has any special needs or unusual educational expenses
- Determine whether either parent has any obligation to support other children, either in their current home or from a prior relationship
We will also check to see if the child is eligible for public benefits that can be used to satisfy all or part of a parent’s support obligation.
Alimony Considerations in a Knoxville Divorce
Our contested divorce attorneys will resolve whether either spouse owes alimony.
Nothing fuels more litigation than the rage of the primary breadwinner during a long-term marriage than to be told they must continue partially supporting the person they are divorcing. But the reality is that if one spouse has a documented financial need, and the other spouse has a documented ability to help meet that need, alimony is going to be a factor.
The Cost of a Contested Divorce in Knoxville
It's a lot. Contested divorces typically cost tens of thousands of dollars in attorney fees. But every case is different—knowing when to fight and when not to fight is critical.
In some cases, the stress and expense of a trial may be worth it to have your position vindicated. Sometimes, you have no choice because your spouse simply refuses to be reasonable. Your spouse may even have mental health issues that make negotiation impossible.
Deciding Whether to Settle Your Knoxville Divorce
It depends. This is your new life we are building, and we follow your lead. We always give our clients the option to settle a case, but no, we do not always settle every divorce. We try the contested divorces that cannot be settled, thoughtfully and vigorously. Being your advisor and also your advocate is what we do.
Schedule Your Free Consultation with a Knoxville Divorce Lawyer or call (865) 685-4780 Today.
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A Team of Fearless Trial Attorneys
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Over 50 Years of Experience in Family Law