CONTESTED & UNCONTESTED DIVORCE

 What is an Uncontested Divorce?

A divorce is uncontested when both spouses reach an agreement with respect to all financial and divorce-related issues (e.g. spousal support, child custody, child support, visitation, value and distribution of marital assets and allocation of marital debt). Both spouses must agree to the divorce.

Clients often believe that their divorce will be uncontested, but later learn that it is contested because the other spouse does not consent to a resolution of all of the divorce-related issues.  Whether you believe your divorce will be uncontested or contested, or if you are unsure, please feel free to contact the Law Offices of John Hugh O'Donnell. If you have questions about divorce, or if you want to schedule a free initial consultation, Mr. O'Donnell will be happy to assist you.

Many divorcing couples try to reduce the cost of divorce by preparing the New York State Uncontested Divorce forms themselves, but they often find that the New York Divorce forms, and the procedure for obtaining a divorce in New York, is far too complicated.  Mr. O'Donnell often receives calls from these individuals asking him to salvage their divorce.  

Other couples are taken in by those enticing internet ads offering "uncontested divorce" and "no fault divorce" for incredibly low fees.  These couples often find out that such advertised services are provided by non-attorneys who just give the parties uncontested divorce forms and instructions, and the parties must do most of the work themselves.  After spending money, and a great deal of time, these parties often seek the services of John O'Donnell for their uncontested divorce.

John O'Donnell is indeed an experienced attorney.  He has been practicing law since 1994 and is thoroughly familiar with all aspects of the divorce process including uncontested divorce, no fault divorce, contested divorce, child custody, child support, spousal maintenance (formerly known as alimony), equitable distribution, and other divorce-related issues. So If you have an uncontested divorce in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Rockland, Westchester, Nassau or Suffolk, contact John O’Donnell. There is no better way to save precious dollars and receive quality legal services at the same time.

The entire uncontested divorce process usually takes from 2 to 6 months depending upon the court's caseload. As soon as Mr. O'Donnell is retained, he begins the divorce process. Mr. O’Donnell will complete the required divorce papers and file them with the court.  At that point it is simply a matter of waiting for a New York State Supreme Court judge, or special referee, to sign the Judgment of Divorce. The parties never have to go to court.  Clients are often amazed at how easy he makes the entire divorce process.

So whether your uncontested divorce will be in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Rockland, Westchester, Nassau or Suffolk, Mr. O'Donnell is here to help you. 

What is a Contested Divorce?

Basically, a contested divorce is the opposite of an uncontested divorce. A divorce is contested when both spouses are unable to reach an agreement with respect to all divorce-related issues.  Again, those divorce-related issues include child custody, child support, spousal support (formerly known as alimony) , responsibility for payment of counsel fees, equitable distribution of marital property and allocation of marital debt.  If you believe that your divorce will be contested, or you are unsure, please feel free to contact the John O'Donnell.  He will be happy to answer your questions, or provide you with a free initial consultation.