There are three types of divorce in South Africa: contested, uncontested and mediated.
What is contested divorce?
Contested divorces occur when spouses cannot agree the terms and conditions of their divorce. The most common disagreements relate to maintenance, division of assets and child care. In some cases one or both spouses refuse to settle for emotional reasons.
In a contested divorce both spouses appear in court repeatedly, and the court decides the terms of the divorce. This can result in very high legal costs and emotional distress, and can drag on for years before resolution. Contested divorces can cause great emotional and financial harm to all family members and are to be avoided if at all possible.
At SD Law we do our best to help you avoid a contested divorce. If you and your spouse cannot agree on the terms of your divorce, we will recommend mediation. A contested divorce should be a last resort.
If you are considering divorce
If you are considering divorce and need legal advice, talk to our divorce attorneys. We’ll work with you on the way forward, and if a contested divorce is unavoidable, we’ll support you through the process every step of the way, ensuring you secure a fair settlement and survive with your dignity intact. If we think mediation would be an appropriate alternative, we can appoint a mediator.
Contact family attorney SD Law for help with your divorce.