Contested Divorce
Contested Divorce in Northwest Florida
When Divorce Isn't Straightforward
When agreements fail, bring clarity, strategy, and a steady hand to your case. A contested divorce happens when you can’t agree with your spouse on one or more key issues: custody, timesharing, support, property division, or alimony. In Florida, this leads to:
- Filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
- Serving your spouse and allowing 20 days to respond
- Engaging in discovery : exchanging financial affidavits, pay stubs, tax returns, and other documents
- Attending mediation, which our circuit (Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington Counties) requires before trial
- If unresolved, moving to trial, where a judge decides
A contested process demands clarity, strategic planning, and steady guidance, especially in emotionally charged conflicts.
Key Issues We Help You Navigate
Trusted Support for Every Critical Divorce Issue
Child Custody & Timesharing
You’ll work through Florida’s parental responsibility standards, keeping your children’s best interests front and center.
Child & Spousal Support
We present your income and expenses clearly, so court-ordered support is set under Florida’s guidelines.
Division of Assets & Debts
We manage equitable distribution of homes, savings, retirement plans, and liabilities with full transparency.
Alimony
Whether temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, or durational, we advocate for what’s fair based on Florida’s statutory factors.
What to Expect
Florida’s Required Steps in Contested Divorce
- Filing & Service : File the petition and formally serve it; your spouse has 20 days to respond.
- Discovery : Exchange all financial disclosures, including affidavits, bank statements, and retirement documents.
- Mediation : Our circuit requires mediation before a judge hears the case at trial.
- Hearings & Motions : Temporary hearings may set interim orders, evidence is exchanged, and pretrial motions may be filed.
- Trial : If unresolved, the case goes before a judge who makes binding decisions.
- Final Judgment : The judge signs the divorce decree with specifics on custody, support, and asset division.
Timelines to Expect
Contested Florida divorces typically take 6 to 12+ months, depending on complexity, county caseload, and trial readiness
contested Divorce Service Locations
We offer contested divorce services throughout Bay County, including:
No matter your location, we make the contested divorce process simple, affordable, and efficient.
Comprehensive Legal Support
What We Do for You
- One-on-One Legal Strategy : Justin Andersson develops a custom legal roadmap
- Full Discovery Representation : We handle compliance and strategic document exchange
- Skilled Mediation Advocacy : We negotiate your interests toward resolution
- Court Ready : We prepare you, gather evidence, file motions, and stand by you at hearings and trial
- Steady Client Support : From planning through resolution, Laramie DeBoard guides every step
Our Commitment to You
Your Case Deserves a Steady Hand
Through this challenging process, we bring our brand pillars to life:
- Clarity : We keep you informed about where your case stands.
- Strategy : We develop and adjust plans smartly.
- A Steady Hand : You're not alone, for every call, hearing, and document.
Who We Serve
Proudly Representing Families Throughout the Florida Panhandle
From the coast to the Wiregrass line, we provide trusted legal representation in:
Surrounding Areas
- Jackson County
- Marianna
- Graceville
- Sneads
- Gulf County
- Port St. Joe
- Wewahitchka
- Calhoun County
- Blountstown
- Altha
- Washington County
- Chipley
- Vernon
- Holmes County
- Bonifay
- Ponce de Leon
Wider Northwest
Florida & Panhandle Region
- Walton County
- Defuniak Springs
- Freeport
- Santa Rosa Beach
- Okaloosa County
- Fort Walton Beach
- Crestview
- Niceville
- Santa Rosa County
- Milton
- Navarre
- Escambia County
- Pensacola
- Cantonment
- Gulf Breeze
Whether you live in Panama City or commute in from across the Panhandle, we offer virtual consultations, flexible scheduling, and personalized legal support from a team that understands Northwest Florida values.
Dedicated to Your Future
WHY CHOOSE JUSTIN ANDERSSON, P.A.?
- Clarity, Strategy, and Real Guidance
- Focused on Divorce & Family Law
- Honest Communication
- Personalized Support
FAQ'S ABOUT Contested Divorce
Why You Need Experienced Representation
The most common areas of dispute include:
- Division of property, assets, and debts
- Alimony or spousal support
- Parental responsibility and timesharing (custody and visitation)
- Child support and healthcare costs
- Who keeps the marital home
The timeline varies depending on the level of conflict and the court's schedule.
- Mildly contested cases: often 6 to 9 months
- Highly contested or trial cases: 12 months or more
Factors like mandatory financial disclosures, mediation sessions, and court availability can all affect the timeline. Working with a lawyer familiar with the local courts, like Justin Andersson, P.A., can help move things along efficiently.
Often, yes, but not always. Many contested divorces are resolved during mediation, which our circuit requires before trial. If an agreement is reached in mediation, you may avoid going before a judge. If not, the case will proceed to court, where a judge makes the final decisions.
Mediation is a confidential meeting led by a neutral third party who helps both spouses reach a voluntary agreement. Courts in our circuit (Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington Counties) require mediation in family cases, and it often saves time, money, and emotional strain. If you can't agree in mediation, your case moves to trial.
Costs vary widely based on how complex and contentious the case is. Factors include attorney time, outside professionals who testify (like appraisers or child specialists), and court filings. Generally, the more issues in dispute, the higher the cost. Justin Andersson, P.A. provides clear communication and billing transparency throughout the process so you know what to expect.
In a contested divorce, Florida's mandatory disclosure rule generally requires each spouse to give the other a sworn financial affidavit and key financial documents. If your spouse refuses to cooperate, your attorney can file motions to compel disclosure and hold them accountable through court orders or sanctions. This helps hold both parties to good faith and protect your financial rights.
Florida courts base all custody decisions on the best interests of the child. Factors include each parent's involvement, stability, home environment, work schedules, and ability to co-parent. Judges must order shared parental responsibility unless it would be detrimental to the child, and since July 1, 2023, Florida law presumes that equal time-sharing is in the child's best interests unless a parent proves otherwise.
If both parties eventually agree, through mediation or negotiation, the divorce can switch to uncontested, saving significant time and expense. Your attorney will update the filings and submit the agreed terms to the court for final approval.
Contested divorces involve complex legal issues, deadlines, and emotions. An experienced attorney like Justin Andersson can:
- Protect your parental rights and financial interests
- Handle all court filings and hearings
- Negotiate favorable settlements
- Advocate for you in trial if necessary
Having strong legal representation helps you avoid costly mistakes and present your side fully.
Ready to take the next step?
Schedule a Consultation
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