A contested divorce is a legal separation where spouses disagree on key divorce terms and require court intervention
A contested divorce occurs when spouses cannot reach mutual agreement on one or more important aspects of their separation. Unlike an uncontested divorce, this process typically requires legal representation and court proceedings to resolve disputes.
Common areas of disagreement include:
- Property division and asset distribution
- Child custody and parenting arrangements
- Spousal support or alimony payments
- Child support amounts and terms
- Division of pension benefits and investments
Before proceeding with a contested divorce, many Canadian courts recommend exploring alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation or collaborative divorce to save time and reduce costs.