Why Does My Ex Want a Contested Divorce in Atlanta?

If your ex wants a contested divorce in Atlanta, you might be somewhat disappointed. Perhaps you are aware of how expensive and time-consuming litigation can be, and you’d rather resolve your divorce through a method like mediation or collaborative law. Why would your ex choose to go to court instead? An experienced divorce lawyer in Atlanta may be able to help you answer this question.

Your Ex Might Want to Punish You for Alleged Misconduct

Many spouses want “their day in court” because they feel that they have been wronged in some way. Perhaps they plan to “score points” and accuse you of misconduct during the marriage. They may think that this will provide them with a sense of closure, and proving misconduct can be advantageous in certain situations.

For example, if your ex successfully proves that you committed child abuse or neglect, this could hurt your chances of spending time with your children after the divorce. Certain misconduct, such as asset concealment or dissipation of assets, can also lead to financial consequences. Your ex may plan to present evidence of this misconduct to the court.

Some spouses don’t really care about the advantages, and they simply want to shame their exes publicly. Divorce trials go on the public record, and the public nature of these proceedings may be very attractive to spouses who want to “point the finger” and shame their exes. While this might not be a very logical approach, it could explain why your ex wants a contested divorce.

You May Still Have Time to Convince Your Ex to Change Their Mind

If your ex has told you that they want a contested divorce, you might still have time to convince them to attempt mediation, arbitration, or collaborative law. First, you should know that your ex has no real choice in the matter when it comes to mediation. The family court will force your ex to attempt mediation whether they want to or not.

The real goal in this scenario is to convince your ex to actually attempt mediation in good faith. If they show no interest in this process, you won’t get very far with your negotiations. If they start to understand the logic in resolving the divorce in a cheaper, quicker, and more private manner, they might actually start to make an effort.

Why It Makes Sense to Try to Understand Your Ex’s Thinking 

Even if it’s impossible to change your ex’s mind, it still makes sense to try to understand why they want a contested divorce. Once you understand their motives, you might find it easier to strategize and prepare for the divorce in an effective manner.

Can an Atlanta Divorce Lawyer Help? 

If you need help with a contested divorce in Atlanta, a lawyer may be able to offer meaningful guidance and assistance. Speak with one of these legal professionals, and you may gain more insight into why your ex insisted on a contested divorce. Once you understand what is driving their thought process, it might be easier to achieve positive results in court. Contact Buckhead Family Law today to learn more.

Source:

 magistratefulton.org/149/Mediation-Alternative-Dispute-Resolution