Often, divorcing couples are unable to reach an agreement on one or more aspects of the divorce. This is called a contested divorce, and in this case a court may ultimately make the decisions that the separating spouses were unable to make. In the event of a contested divorce, it is important to seek the counsel of a qualified contested divorce lawyer in order to properly understand one's legal rights and responsibilities. A contested divorce lawyer has specific experience dealing with the legal issues surrounding contested divorces, and will be able to guide a person through the process and ultimately gain resolution. Common issues that may be contested in a divorce include alimony payments, division of assets and properties, child custody and visitation, and child support.