Tampa Divorce Lawyer for Contested Divorce Cases
Trial-Ready Representation for Custody Disputes, Support Issues, and Complex Financial Matters
Contested Divorce Litigation in Tampa
Divorce is stressful—especially when the stakes are high and agreement feels impossible. If your case involves conflict over children, support, or finances, you need more than forms and general advice. You need a clear plan, strong evidence, and an attorney prepared to litigate effectively while still pursuing smart resolution when it benefits you.
Our firm focuses on divorce and family law with an emphasis on contested divorce and complex cases throughout Florida, primarily in the Tampa Bay area.
Call (813) 251-6222 to schedule a consultation.
Divorce in Florida: the Basicsg
Florida is a no-fault divorce state. In most cases, the legal ground is that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.” You simply have to be a resident of the State of Florida for 6 months. Your rights and outcomes typically turn on the facts—parenting history, finances, documentation, credibility, and the evidence presented to the court.
Contested vs. Uncontested Divorce
Uncontested divorce means both spouses reach agreement on all terms (parenting, support, property, and debts) and present a signed settlement to the court. These cases usually cost less, move faster, and only involve one court appearance.
Contested divorce means one or more issues cannot be resolved by agreement. The case may require:
Temporary hearings (support/time-sharing while the case is pending)
Formal discovery (financial records, subpoenas, depositions)
Mediation
Evidentiary hearings and/or trial
If you suspect your divorce is headed toward litigation, early strategy matters—because what you do in the first 30–60 days can shape leverage and outcome.
Common Issues the Court Decides in a Contested Divorce
Most contested divorce litigation centers on one or more of these topics:
Parenting Plan and time-sharing (custody)
Child support
Alimony
Equitable distribution (division of assets and debts)
Attorney’s fees and costs
Military divorce issues (when applicable)
What Happens in a Contested Divorce
While every case is different, this is the typical path:
Petition filed and served
Response due (time-sensitive)
If you are served, there are deadlines that can affect your options.Temporary relief (as needed)
Courts can address temporary parenting schedules, support, exclusive use of the home, and other urgent issues.Discovery and evidence development
Income proof, business records, retirement accounts, expenses, and parenting evidence are gathered and tested.Mediation / negotiated resolution
Many cases settle once both sides understand the strengths, weaknesses, and likely court outcomes.Final hearing / trial
If settlement fails, the court decides contested issues based on the evidence.
High-Conflict and Complex Divorce Cases
Contested divorces often involve high emotion and high risk—especially when there are allegations of misconduct, significant assets, or disputes about parenting. We build cases with a focus on:
Clear documentation and persuasive presentation
Realistic risk assessment (what matters most to the judge)
Courtroom-ready preparation (not “hope it settles” lawyering)
Using Experts when the Case Demands it
In certain cases, the right expert can be outcome-determinative. Depending on your facts, we may recommend experts such as:
Forensic accountants and business valuation professionals
Appraisers and investigators
Child custody evaluators / parenting professionals
Family therapists or other qualified professionals
We work closely with experts to ensure the evidence is organized, defensible, and useful in court—not just expensive.
High-Conflict and Complex Divorce Cases
Contested divorces often involve high emotion and high risk—especially when there are allegations of misconduct, significant assets, or disputes about parenting. We build cases with a focus on:
Clear documentation and persuasive presentation
Realistic risk assessment (what matters most to the judge)
Courtroom-ready preparation (not “hope it settles” lawyering)
Using Experts when the Case Demands it
In certain cases, the right expert can be outcome-determinative. Depending on your facts, we may recommend experts such as:
Forensic accountants and business valuation professionals
Appraisers and investigators
Child custody evaluators / parenting professionals
Family therapists or other qualified professionals
We work closely with experts to ensure the evidence is organized, defensible, and useful in court—not just expensive.
Service Area
We represent clients in contested divorce and family law matters throughout Florida, primarily in:
Hillsborough County
Pinellas County
Pasco County
Polk County
And across the greater Tampa area, including Brandon, Riverview, Valrico, Plant City, Lutz, and Wesley Chapel.
Talk with a Tampa Divorce Lawyer
If your divorce is contested—or you see it heading that way—get clear guidance before positions harden and mistakes become expensive.
Call (813) 251-6222 to schedule a free consultation.
FAQ: Contested divorce in Tampa (with answers)
How long does a contested divorce take in Tampa?
Many contested divorces take several months to more than a year, depending on complexity, court availability, discovery disputes, expert involvement, and whether settlement occurs before trial. Cases involving business valuation, extensive financial issues, or high-conflict custody with a Guardian ad Litem typically take longer.
Do I have to go to Court in a Contested Divorce?
Often, yes—at least for case management matters, temporary relief, or hearings. That said, many contested cases still resolve through negotiation and mediation once both sides exchange the key information and the strengths/weaknesses are clear.
What if my Spouse Refuses to Cooperate or Won’t Provide Financial Documents?
That’s exactly why contested divorce has formal tools like discovery requests, subpoenas, depositions, and court motions to compel compliance. A spouse can slow the process, but they usually cannot prevent the court from moving the case forward.
What is the Difference Between “Time-Sharing” and “Custody” in Florida?
In Florida, the law generally uses “time-sharing” and “parenting plan” terminology rather than the older “custody” labels. The court focuses on the child’s best interests and builds a schedule and decision-making framework accordingly.
Can I get Temporary Child Support or Temporary Alimony while the Divorce is Pending?
Yes, courts can enter temporary orders to address support and parenting schedules while the case is ongoing—especially when there is a clear need and credible financial information to support the request.
How is Property Divided in a Florida Divorce?
Florida follows equitable distribution, meaning marital assets and debts are divided fairly (often, but not always, equally). The details depend on what is marital vs. non-marital, valuation issues, and the statutory factors the court considers.
What Does a Contested Divorce Cost?
Cost depends on the level of conflict, how much discovery is needed, whether experts are necessary, and how many hearings occur. One way to manage cost is to focus litigation on the issues that actually move the needle—and avoid spending money on fights that don’t change the likely outcome. Unfortunately, outside of uncontested divorce matters, it is literally impossible to know how much your divorce will cost. Be wary of attorneys who give you estimates.
Do we Have to Try Mediation?
Almost all contested divorces are required to attempt mediation at some point before trial (with very limited exceptions). Mediation can be productive even in high-conflict cases if you show up prepared with the right information and a clear bottom line.
What Should I do if I’ve Been Served Divorce Papers?
Take action promptly—deadlines apply, and early decisions can affect temporary relief, discovery strategy, and leverage. If you were served with a petition, don’t ignore it.
