Contested Divorce

Contested Divorce.

If the divorce is contested and there are a range of issues in dispute, the divorce can take many months or even years to finalise.

  • Pro Tips

    • Try to work out differences prior to proceeding with a divorce. 
    • Mediation could be a good option to try resolve some issues.

Contested Divorce.


Contested divorces occur when you and your spouse can't agree on terms. Most disputes involve childcare, maintenance, and asset division. In certain circumstances, one or both spouses refuse to settle out of emotion.

Contested divorces can inflict emotional and financial trauma on all family members.

In a contested divorce, both you and your spouse will appear in court, and the court decide the terms of your divorce. This can cause substantial legal expenses and emotional trauma and can take years to resolve.


Issues leading to contested divorces:


  • Property rights;
  • Contact and Access Rights pertaining to minor children;
  • Maintenance;
  • Division of debts;
  • Rights to pension funds;


Depending on the issues between the parties, there are many processes that may be followed and Courts that may be approached, including:


  • Children’s Court
  • Maintenance Court
  • Domestic Violence Court
  • Regional Court
  • High Court


Our Services:


  • Mediation (We are registered with ADR International Mediators, specializing in Divorce Mediation)
  • Assessment of your situation and advise going forward
  • Relationship Coaching
  • Separation Agreements
  • Parenting Plans
  • Drafting of Settlement Agreements
  • Liaising with their spouse and negotiating the terms of the divorce
  • Division of Pension Benefits
  • Drafting of Divorce Summons
  • Approaching the Regional or High Court for your Divorce
  • Applying for and obtaining a Rule 43 or Rule 58 Interim Order
  • Referring a Settlement Agreement to the office of the Family Advocate
  • Applying for and obtaining a Protection Orders
  • Appearance at Court for the Divorce Hearing
  • Variation of Divorce Orders (It is very costly to change a divorce after a court order has been made, but it is possible)


Get your personalized Divorce Guide here


  • Every Divorce is unique and comes with its own challenges.
  • So, to provide you with a one size fits all divorce guide would be useless.
  • Divorce Specialists have created a set of questions with AI back-end to provide you with a bespoke confidential divorce guide, dependent on your unique circumstances.

  • Pro Tips

    • Contested divorces are charged at per hour rate.
    • Legal expenses can increase when expert witnesses like forensic auditors, sworn appraisers, and clinical or industrial psychologists are called to testify in the trial.

Divorce Specialists that care.


  • We aim to provide you with peace of mind knowing that your divorce is being handled by an experienced divorce attorney and mediator.
  • We are aware of the financial strain that many people carry, and we try our utmost best to finalise each divorce as quickly as possible to avoid unnecessary high legal fees.
  • We approach your case with compassion and understanding.
  • We aim to avoid delay, frustration, and unnecessary costs in divorce, thereby ensuring that you achieve a quick and cost-effective resolution to your divorce.
  • You have the best chance of success by working with divorce specialists who deal with every aspect of your case on a daily basis.
  • From South Africa's High Courts to its Magistrates' and Children's Courts, Divorce Specialists represents clients in divorce, domestic violence, and child support cases.
  • We are there to help and guide you through every step.
Share by: