Divorce trials can be contentious, and it is common for one side to be unhappy with the result. If you believe you received unjust treatment, you might have viable grounds to appeal the decision. A Bellevue divorce appeals lawyer could advise you on how this process works.
The appellate process is complex, requiring a deep understanding of a specialized set of court rules and procedures. To give yourself the best chance of success, consider discussing your case with a knowledgeable divorce attorney at Twyford Law Office.
Appeals happen in divorce cases when the two parties cannot reach an agreement and go to trial. During these proceedings, the court listens to evidence, reviews documents, and ultimately decides on all of the important issues in family law cases—including spousal support and child custody. A spouse who feels the court treated them unfairly or did not give them what they deserve has the opportunity to file an appeal for further review.
An appeal is not a do-over. The appeals court will not hear additional evidence at a second trial but will instead review the record from the initial proceedings. It is their job to determine if the court made any errors and if those mistakes could have impacted the outcome of the original hearing.
Navigating the appellate system alone is challenging, given how complicated these rules can be. The good news is that a Bellevue divorce appeals attorney could handle the entire process on your behalf.
For the courts to reconsider a divorce case, some kind of appealable issue must exist. This typically involves a mistake made at the trial level.
One of the most common reasons for appeal is when the judge in a case misapplies the law. Appeals courts have the power to correct these errors or send the case back for another decision. Additionally, a spouse can appeal if a judge misunderstood the facts or prevented the court from hearing important evidence.
The focus of these proceedings is on whether or not a mistake at trial impacted the outcome of the case. It is not an opportunity to call more witnesses or introduce additional evidence. The appellate court bases its decision entirely on the existing record.
In general, an individual must file a notice of appeal to the court within 30 days of the final decision. This is not a lot of time to pursue legal action, so it is crucial to seek out an attorney immediately.
This is the most important deadline to be aware of, but the process of appealing does not end with this notice. A divorce appeals lawyer in Bellevue must obtain the transcripts of the trial and submit them to the appellate court before the case can proceed.
If you believe the judge made a mistake in your family law case, you may have viable grounds to appeal. This option is not always successful, but the right strategy could help you achieve the outcome you deserve. Reach out to a Bellevue divorce appeals lawyer at Twyford Law Office today for more information.