Divorce can be complicated and emotional, so here are the reasons why hiring a divorce lawyer can provide you with guidance and support.
You don’t wake up one day and decide to divorce. Getting divorced is one of the most challenging decisions any couple has to make. And that is usually after trying countless times to make your marriage work.
When it becomes inevitable, both parties seek the help of a divorce attorney to navigate the complex web of family law.
Divorce lawyers are equipped with knowledge and experience, and they will make the process smooth. However, before hiring a divorce attorney, you must clearly understand their roles in your divorce process.
Luckily, in this article, we look at why you need a divorce lawyer and tips for hiring the best divorce attorney.
I’m sharing this article because I am a bestselling relationship author with about 2 million books sold globally.
I also founded the therapist recommended self-paced course: Broken Heart Recovery.
I love sharing tools to help people heal and move on from heartbreak – even after the most messy divorces.
A divorce lawyer is an expert explicitly trained to handle cases involving divorces, child custody disputes, division of assets, alimony, and other legal aspects associated with the dissolution of marriage. They advocate for their client’s interests while providing sound advice based on their expertise in family law.
Divorce lawyers can be found in most law firms, whose work is to support their clients during court proceedings. Paralegals and other legal assistants often assist them and ensure that their clients get the best services.
For example, if you live in Texas and are looking for divorce lawyers near Austin, you must first look at reviews by locals. This will help you find a decent one for your case.
Divorce lawyers play a crucial role as they help their clients navigate the divorce process while ensuring they get the best legal care. Below are the reasons you need to hire a divorce attorney.
Going through a divorce can be emotionally draining and overwhelming.
Having someone who understands the intricacies of the legal system by your side will not only provide you with peace of mind but also give you the necessary support and guidance to navigate through the process. A divorce lawyer provides legal advice to help you make informed decisions.
The best part is that your attorney informs you of all the intricacies of the divorce. They also ensure you are aware of your rights, what you are entitled to regarding assets and child custody issues, and that you understand the local divorce laws.
Divorce can turn ugly, especially when one party is contesting. As such, your divorce attorney helps you avoid communicating with your spouse, keeping the case civil.
Although you are responsible for providing all the information, your attorney takes everything else that is legal, including communicating with your spouse’s lawyer. This ensures you have nothing to worry about and can freely care for yourself and your family.
Divorce is usually the toughest for the children as they have to see both parents, and this means that the court has to decide which days the kids stay with each parent. This disrupts their normal routine, and most often, parents are recommended to live in the same city to make it easy for the kids.
Determining child custody is the single most challenging aspect of divorce. It’s tough to decide who gets primary custody and who gets visitation rights. But the bottom line is it’s in the kids’ best interests.
A divorce lawyer can advocate for your rights as a parent and work towards achieving a fair and reasonable custody agreement.
For instance, in cases where there was abuse involved, your divorce attorney will help you fight for the full custody of your children. They will also ensure that any visitation or parenting time agreements are clearly outlined in legal documents, providing clarity and stability for both parties.
Apart from the emotional upheaval, divorce also has significant financial implications. This is because the couple is transitioning from a combined income to a single income, which can significantly impact their standard of living.
Sometimes, you will find that some parties don’t care if they get anything from the divorce, as they just want to be done with that chapter of their lives. However, you must know that you are entitled to your fair share of everything acquired during the tenure of your marriage unless you signed a prenup. Besides, everything you had before marriage is not subject to division.
As such, an experienced divorce lawyer will work towards protecting your financial interests by ensuring a fair division of assets, negotiating spousal support payments, and helping you understand any tax implications associated with your share of acquired assets.
Going through a divorce without the help of a divorce attorney can be overwhelming and lead to costly mistakes.
As such, you must secure the services of a lawyer as they are equipped with the legal knowledge of family law. This includes local laws on property division, child custody guidelines, and alimony calculations.
Besides, they have the help of paralegals and legal assistants, which makes it possible for them to handle both simple and complex divorce cases.
When hiring a divorce attorney, you must ensure they have strong negotiation skills, as this ensures that you are not shortchanged. Your lawyer should consult the opposing attorney to ensure both parties get a fair settlement.
Filing a divorce petition requires detailed paperwork and legal documentation. Doing it alone can lead to mistakes, so your attorney will help you file the initial divorce summons in a family law court. This depends on whether it is a fault-based or no-fault divorce.
For a fault-based divorce, your attorney will advise you on all the information you need to collect to support your claim. For cases of abuse or adultery, you will need pictures, text messages, hospital diagnoses, and witnesses.
Your attorney must also ensure that you meet all the other requirements. This includes having lived in the state for more than six months and more than 90 days in the country.
Once the petition is filed, your divorce attorney will help you draft all the paperwork. They will also correspond with your partner’s lawyer to ensure all the documents are present. These include:
As we have seen, a divorce attorney is crucial for any divorce case as they ensure you get a fair share of everything attained during your marriage and custodial arrangement. As such, to hire the best divorce attorney, apply the following tips.
There are many law firms; as such, you must do your research. The first consultation is usually free for most firms, so visit at least three law firms and get a feel of their services and lawyers. This will help you pick the one who understands and resonates with your needs.
Experience is crucial when handling sensitive family law matters like divorce. Look for a lawyer who has been practicing for several years and has a successful track record in handling cases similar to yours.
Divorce can be expensive, but not hiring a competent lawyer can cost you even more in the long run. Therefore, when doing your shopping, discuss fees upfront and ensure they are within your budget before committing.
A high success rate indicates that the lawyer has experience dealing with various situations and can easily navigate through different complexities. You can get this information from the reviews on their website.
No one wants to go through a lengthy, costly, and tedious court process. So, hiring a divorce lawyer with experience with mediation and out-of-court settlements is the best. They help you save time, money, and emotional stress by resolving issues amicably without going through lengthy court proceedings.
Ensure that your chosen lawyer has enough time to dedicate to your case. This will prevent any delays or conflicts of interest during the proceedings.
Effective communication is crucial when working with a divorce lawyer. Look for someone who listens to your concerns and responds promptly, keeping you updated on the progress of your case.
Collaborative divorce involves both parties working together to reach a mutually agreeable settlement without going through litigation. If this approach aligns with your beliefs, hire a lawyer with experience in collaborative law.
Divorce can be emotionally taxing, so it’s essential to choose a lawyer whose personality interlaces well with yours. You should feel comfortable discussing sensitive matters with them and trust they have your best interests at heart.
A good reputation speaks volumes about a divorce lawyer’s credibility and professionalism. Choose someone who has earned respect within the legal community for their ethical practices and successful outcomes. You must also ensure they are certified and a plus if they have memberships to specific law organizations.
Hiring a competent divorce lawyer is crucial in ensuring a smooth and fair resolution of your family law issues. They provide the necessary support, guidance, and expertise to navigate this challenging process while keeping your best interests at heart. Therefore, use the tips above to hire the best divorce lawyer for your divorce case.
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