Contested Divorce

Long Island Contested Divorce Attorney

What is a Contested Divorce in New York?

A contested divorce occurs when the couple cannot agree on the final terms of the divorce. This situation carries the potential for long, drawn-out legal battles over asset division, and the process can be especially difficult when there are children involved. Unless you take action now to protect your personal interests, you could easily end up with a divorce settlement which leaves you at a major disadvantage.

Contested divorces occur when the spouses are unable to agree on issues such as:

Before going to court, the judge will be called upon to intervene by ruling on each point. To avoid arbitrary rulings and unfavorable decisions, it is highly advisable to pursue an uncontested divorce whenever possible, through negotiations with your spouse's attorney. When this cannot be done, it is vital to work with a Long Island family law attorney who will fight to defend your personal interests and work tirelessly to help you achieve a satisfactory settlement.


Come to The Virdone Law Firm, P.C.for a free initial consultation, to learn more about how we can help you defend your rights in a divorce or family law matter of any kind. We take on a limited number of clients, to focus on achieving the best possible results for you.


How Long Does a Contested Divorce Take in NY?

If a disagreement between two parties who are married cannot be resolved one or both of the married parties will begin divorce proceedings with an attorney. Once the necessary legal documents are drawn up & submitted to the court one spouse has 120 days to serve the other spouse who in turn has up to 30 days to respond to the documentation.

The entire divorce proceeding typically takes around 9 months to to a year, but can be longer depending on the extent of the disagreement and could lead to a court case where a judge must make a ruling.

How an Attorney Can Help You With Contested Divorce

An attorney from our firm will make all the necessary requests for discovery of evidence from your spouse, including pay stubs, bank account statements and asset sheets, to build a strong case on your behalf. The courts in our area strive to rule in favor of equitable distribution in divorce.

This means that how well your attorney can persuade the judge to see your side will largely determine:

Having an effective attorney can be especially important when allegations of domestic violence have the potential to sway the settlement in favor of one of the spouses. You cannot afford to take any chances with the outcome of the divorce — call us today.


Contact a Contested Divorce Lawyer for Dedicated Legal Representation to Help You Achieve a Favorable Divorce Settlement.


Our Testimonials

  • "When I consulted with John Virdone, I was touched by his considerate attitude and knowledge of what I was dealing with in my ex-husband's belated challenge to my divorce decree. Mr Virdone was honest in his concerns about my case and encouraging of my maki"
    Former Client
  • "I was expertly represented during my divorce. John took the time to fully listen to my concerns, and gave me his undivided personal attention. I hope that you don't have to go through divorce, but if you do, use JOHN VIRDONE."
    Grace Johnson
  • "Mr. John Virdone is an exceptional attorney who is also kind and empathetic. His knowledge of family law exceeds that of other attorney's I had contacted. He took over my case from another lawyer at my request and handled it competently, professionally, re"
    Laura H.
  • "John Virdone is an exceptional lawyer for grandparent's rights. He represented us in our grandparent custody case. Thanks to his expertise at our trial, we the grandparents won. He explained every step of the way and answered all of our questions. He is th"
    Linda D. and Vinnie D.
  • "John Virdone is simply an outstanding litigator. He represented me in the Queens County Family Court in a highly contested grandparent custody/visitation matter that was on going for more than two years. My case was exceptionally difficult. Many attorneys "
    Rachel