St Louis Family Law Attorney
Divorce Litigation Process | Family Law
If a couple cannot agree on the resolution of specific issues, a legal litigation process must begin in order to achieve a divorce. While there can be some variations to the divorce process depending on circumstances, a divorce process typically includes:
- Petition
The filing of documents to formally initiate divorce proceedings. - Summons & Response
Formal notice to your spouse of your intent to pursue court action to obtain a legal divorce. The response is your spouse’s acknowledgement the divorce procedure has begun. - Motions
A formal request to the court to order some type of action prior to trial. For example, in domestic abuse cases a motion for a protective or restraining order to be filed is a motion. - Discovery
This step of the process allows each side to gather information to support their legal arguments. This is a critical step in contested divorces or if you believe your spouse is hiding assets. This step includes depositions, interviews, and interrogatories. - Hearings & Temporary Orders
In some cases there are situations that need to be temporarily resolved before the final divorce agreement is ordered by the court. These temporary orders are decided by the judge and generally remain in effect until the final decision is made at the end of the divorce process. For example, a couple cannot agree about where their children should live during the divorce process. A judge would make this determination. The most common temporary orders involve child support, alimony (maintenance) and attorney’s fees. - Trial
This is a critical court appearance in front of the judge where the case will be decided. The trial may include witnesses, friends, financial experts, psychologists, as well as other type of evidence secured during the discovery step, including financial records. - Judgment
The final decision of a divorce proceeding is a judgment. It is NOT a verdict in the sense of assigning blame. Rather, it is a legal statement of the court’s ruling on all issues pertaining to the trial, such as child custody and visitation, spousal support, and property division.
The best way to protect your emotional and financial interests in a divorce is to have an experienced, competent divorce lawyer advise you through the entire process.
We accept credit cards for your convenience. Contact our St Louis law firm today to schedule an appointment to learn how our legal expertise can help you acheive your goals. Attorney Chris Cox is conveniently located in Chesterfield, Missouri. Call us at 314.727.0163 or contact us online.