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The Law Office of Dennis R. Vetrano, Jr., LLC The Law Office of Dennis R. Vetrano, Jr., LLC
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Contested Divorce HANDLING CASES FROM START TO FINISH

Dutchess County Contested Divorce Lawyer

Retain Trial-Tested Representation for Divorce Today

Not all divorces go smoothly. In fact, contested divorces are quite common, requiring separating spouses to pursue litigation in order to determine the terms of their divorce agreement. These types of divorces can be lengthy, emotional ordeals, requiring the assistance of a highly-trained Dutchess County contested divorce lawyer in order to help spouses improve their chances of securing the results they need. If you are approaching a contested divorce in Dutchess County, our contested divorce attorneys at the Law Office of Dennis R. Vetrano, Jr., LLC can protect your interests in court and advocate for a positive outcome on your behalf.

Going through a contested divorce? Request a consultation by contacting us online or calling (845) 605-4330 today to get started.

What Is a Contested Divorce?

A contested divorce occurs when divorcing spouses are unable to reach a mutually acceptable agreement regarding all aspects of their divorce. In order to solve their case, each spouse must retain separate representation and present their case before a judge. As opposed to an uncontested divorce that can be completed relatively quickly, a contested separation can take months or even years from start to finish, between filing for divorce, responding to the divorce summons, negotiations, and finally the resolution.

Oftentimes, divorces become contested over matters such as:

During this process, each spouse must disclose relevant financial documents, submit a Statement of Net Worth, attend various conferences with a judge, and participate in the trial process. Like any other trial, a contested divorce involves opening statements, the questioning of witnesses, cross-examination, submission of evidence, and final statements. Once both sides have had a chance to present their case, the presiding judge will issue a decision that carries the enforceability of law.

What Are the Stages of a Contested Divorce?

There are several steps involved in a contested divorce. First, divorce papers need to be completed, filed, and served. This involves the delivery of paperwork asking for a divorce and the grounds for dissolution of marriage. In New York, grounds can be either no-fault or in relation to some form of marital misconduct, such as infidelity or abusive behavior.

Following the official submission of paperwork, both divorcing spouses need to hire their own legal representation to advocate on their behalf in court. From here, the “divorce discovery” process begins. In this stage, information is gathered about the circumstances of your divorce from both spouses and a third party. Written questions, subpoenas, and depositions are often part of the discovery period.

The divorce case would proceed to court at this point. A last attempt is made at reaching a settlement, with negotiations between attorneys taking place on behalf of the divorcing spouses. If reaching a settlement proves to be impossible, preparations for a trial begin. During a trial, witnesses are presented by both spouses with cross examinations, and closing arguments are made. Once both sides have had a chance to present their case, the judge will make a final decision that is enforceable by law.

This court-mandated ruling can decide:

  • Child custody
  • Property division
  • Asset distribution
  • Spousal support

These rulings can sometimes be appealed, though they are oftentimes final. For this reason, it is highly advisable that you first negotiate for an out-of-court settlement before moving toward litigation. If an agreement cannot be made, it is imperative that you retain the services of a powerful family lawyer from our firm to represent your interests and improve your chances of reaching a desirable outcome.

Are you in the beginning stages of a divorce? A Dutchess County divorce attorney from the Law Office of Dennis R. Vetrano, Jr., LLC can advocate on your behalf and help you get through your difficult time.

Protecting Your Rights in a Contested Divorce

When going through a contested divorce, it's crucial to have a knowledgeable and experienced legal team on your side to protect your rights and advocate for your best interests. At the Law Office of Dennis R. Vetrano, Jr., LLC, our team understands the complexities of contested divorces and is dedicated to providing strong representation for our clients in Beacon, NY and the surrounding areas.

Our firm can assist with:

  • Legal strategy and advocacy
  • Negotiations and settlement discussions
  • Discovery and evidence gathering
  • Court appearances and litigation
  • Post-divorce modifications

With 170+ collective years of experience, you can trust our team to guide you through the stages of a contested divorce and work tirelessly to achieve a favorable outcome for you and your family. Contact our Dutchess County contested divorce attorneys today to schedule a consultation and discuss your case with our experienced attorneys.

Trust in a Firm with 170+ Collective Years of Experience

At the Law Office of Dennis R. Vetrano, Jr., LLC, we understand how difficult it can be to cope with a divorce. We are here to help prepare for your case, no matter how complex. Having earned a 2015 Avvo Clients’ Choice Award for our outstanding family law advocacy, our firm can provide the compassionate and results-driven representation you need to guide you step-by-step through this emotional time. From start to finish, our legal professionals are fully invested in the outcome of your case and are willing to make every effort to maximize your chances of reaching a desirable result.

Contact our office online today to tell a Dutchess County contested divorce lawyer about your case in further detail.

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

READ WHAT PAST CLIENTS HAD TO SAY
    "Unfortunately some of the hardest times in our lives we need an attorney to help guide us through such emotional and uncertain and scary period"
    Unfortunately some of the hardest times in our lives we need an attorney to help guide us through such emotional and uncertain and scary period. Choosing the best attorney can take away some of the fear and anxiety Dennis and his absolutely amazing team have held my hand and calmed my nerves on more than one occasion Stacey is always on the other end of the phone to reassure me that it is a process and it will be ok.I have found such comfort in Dennis his knowledge and strong confidence that he and his team have it all under control allows me to focus on myself and my children while they handle my case. I highly recommend this firm!
    - Jennifer Garofolo
    "I am extremely thankful for having received the best representation from my attorney Kristen D. Farris for a temporary order of protection case against my soon to be ex-husband."

    I am extremely thankful for having received the best representation from my attorney Kristen D. Farris for a temporary order of protection case against my soon to be ex-husband. Everything went so smooth with her amazing expertise and professionalism. In the court, she took charge right away and everything was just so well. I was so relieved! The outcome of the case was perfect and the case settled without any issues. I had no chance to stress! Finally, the office staff was so friendly and the communication, which was mostly through e-mail, was perfect. I am looking forward to working with Kristen with the next steps of getting a divorce. God answered my prayer when I asked for a great attorney :) I was so nervous but thankfully everything went so well!!!

    - Rosa Gonzalez
    "Kristen and Erika were wonderful to work with. Very professional, yet compassionate. They thoroughly explained everything in understandable terms."

    Kristen and Erika were wonderful to work with. Very professional, yet compassionate. They thoroughly explained everything in understandable terms. Both Kristen and Erika were prompt in all communications and kept me informed throughout.

    - Rebecca T.
    "Tough, gracious, generous, and committed describe Kristen’s qualities as my attorney."

    Tough, gracious, generous, and committed describe Kristen’s qualities as my attorney. And much thanks to the paralegal team as well. Their combined experience provided prompt support whenever I had any questions and helped talk me through my situation and to provide clarity. I can’t thank Kristen and her team enough for the all hard work and kindness through the process.

    - T. Curtis-Verderosa
    "Christal Prinz is OUTSTANDING! She has compassion and a wealth of knowledge about the law."

    Christal Prinz is OUTSTANDING! She has compassion and a wealth of knowledge about the law. She has a good common-sense approach as well. It was a delight to work with her considering the circumstances and nuances of my case and the law.

    - A.P.
    "I am so thankful I found this law office to handle my divorce. Kristen was a pleasure to deal with and handled my divorce flawlessly. Communication was always very fast, and always very clear."

    I am so thankful I found this law office to handle my divorce. Kristen was a pleasure to deal with and handled my divorce flawlessly. Communication was always very fast, and always very clear. I highly recommend! Couldn’t have been handled better. Thank you.

    - Claudia Franciosa
    "The guidance and knowledge they provided was immeasurable."
    I am so grateful for the wonderful team that assisted me through one of the most difficult times of my life. The guidance and knowledge they provided was immeasurable.
    - Jessica Conklin
    "I am happy to recommend DRV Law and Kristen F. specifically. As a father divorcing an intractable and vengeful spouse, I was terrified of how the court would treat a father vs a mother, as well as of how my ex could muddy and delay the process."
    I am happy to recommend DRV Law and Kristen F. specifically. As a father divorcing an intractable and vengeful spouse, I was terrified of how the court would treat a father vs a mother, as well as of how my ex could muddy and delay the process. And all in the midst of a pandemic that made everything more complicated. Kristen and her team’s legal advice was consistently spot on, the office’s communication was regular and helpful, and their billing was fair and understandable. You won’t be disappointed in them!
    - A.B.

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    • Our Team Knows How to Negotiate Aggressively for Clients
    • Our Attorneys Have Substantial Trial Experience
    • Our Firm Treats Every Client With the Respect They Deserve
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    • We have the Ability to Know Which Cases Need to Be Tried and Which Cases Can Be Settled
    • We Focus on Compassion, Communication & Effectiveness