Reston, VA Contested Divorce Lawyer

Supportive Family Lawyer for Contested Divorces in Reston

When you decide to divorce, you and your spouse must make multiple decisions. From child custody and child support to property division and spousal support, there is plenty of room for disagreements. A contested divorce does not necessarily mean there is a high degree of conflict. In Virginia, if you and your soon-to-be ex disagree about even one item, your divorce is considered to be contested. Working with the right attorney, you can find ways to resolve your issues that still protect your interests.

When you partner with Nicole M. Burns, Attorney at Law, we want to help you reach common ground so you can move forward. Your circumstances are unique, so we listen closely to your objectives and challenges so we can tailor our strategy accordingly. The same dispute resolution method does not work well for everyone, but we offer our full support and exceptional legal counsel, whether you choose collaborative law, mediation, or litigation. We will explain the pros and cons of each option and help you decide which avenue best suits your needs.

Reston Divorce Decisions

The divorce process involves making multiple choices about a wide variety of issues. As you separate a single household into two, you must decide:

• Property Division: All marital assets and debts must be divided equitably, from the home to cherished keepsakes.
• Child Custody: If the spouses share minor children, they must decide on both physical and legal custody.
• Visitation: In most cases, the non-custodial parent should see their children regularly through scheduled visitation.
• Child Support: One parent may be required to assist financially by paying child support to the other.
• Spousal Support: In some cases, the higher-earning spouse must pay alimony to the other.

Every couple's situation is different. You may have unique circumstances that require creative solutions. You must carefully consider and address the impacts of your divorce, child custody, and visitation arrangements if you have children with special needs. Parental relocation can pose complications, as can active-duty military service. High-asset divorces are typically very complex when it comes to property division. Every single term must be either agreed to or settled at trial before your divorce can be finalized. We will be sure to address each detail properly in order to protect your interests.

Methods to Resolve Your Disputes in a Virginia Contested Divorce

If your marital relationship has reached the point of divorce, it is only natural that you and your spouse will not agree on everything. However, these disagreements do not have to become battles. There is more than one way to resolve your disputed issues, and the same method does not work well for everyone. We will work with you to determine which best suits your situation.

Negotiations

Sometimes, agreements can be reached through negotiations. Your respective lawyers can handle the negotiations for you to minimize conflict, although we will work with you closely to help you decide how to respond.

Mediation

If the collaborative law approach is unsuitable or unsuccessful, but you still want to avoid going to court, mediation could be an attractive alternative. A third party maintains a neutral position between both sides of the argument, helping to move things forward by focusing on solving the problems instead of rehashing old arguments.

Collaborative Law

With this increasingly popular method, both spouses must be willing to compromise and agree to settle matters between parties rather than involving the court. At Nicole M. Burns, Attorney at Law, we have the necessary training and certification to offer collaborative law solutions. In this method of dispute resolution, both spouses and their attorneys work together through negotiations and compromise to find terms each can agree to.

Litigation

Sometimes, your situation and the contested issues may require taking your case to trial. We have extensive experience representing clients and winning in court, but you are taking a risk with this choice. No matter how well we present your case, the judge may render decisions you do not like. You will be expected to abide by those rulings regardless. Trials usually take longer and cost more than other methods of resolving your disputed issues, and you have less control over the outcome.

Call Our Virginia Contested Divorce Lawyer

When you and your spouse cannot agree on the terms of your divorce, you can trust Nicole M. Burns, Attorney at Law to protect your interests while helping you work toward a satisfactory resolution. We serve Northern Virginia communities from our offices in Reston. To get started with an initial consultation, call our offices at 703-373-4761 or contact us online.