If you’re going through a separation from your spouse, then it’s worthwhile to reach out to a family lawyer for divorce help. While working with your own divorce lawyer, you’re going to want to make sure that you’re fully protected and that you get everything out of the divorce that you deserve.
During your first meeting with your lawyer, you may find yourself overwhelmed with questions, especially if you’ve recently been served with divorce papers. However, it’s important to head into this initial consultation prepared to get to work. To that end, here are some important questions that you should ask your new divorce lawyer.
What About the Kids?
Divorces are rarely simple, but they are especially complicated when children are involved. It can be extremely hard to decide time sharing issues when you file for divorce, and the final decision depends heavily on the family law judges in your area. That’s why it’s so important to talk to your lawyer right away about any pressing custody concerns. You need to find out what the chances are of getting equal time sharing with your child. Child custody and time sharing issues tend to delay the divorce process, so it’s important to know what challenges you will face. Your divorce lawyer may recommend working out a co-parenting agreement with your partner outside of the courtroom, but be prepared to give them as much information as you possibly can about your family’s circumstances.
What About the Assets?
When you file for divorce, it’s important to understand that anything you shared ownership of may have to be split. From the house to vehicles, any shared asset can be affected by a divorce. However, that doesn’t mean everything you owned will be split down the middle 50/50. Dividing up assets can be almost as complicated as deciding on child custody, and your partner’s lawyer is also going to be working hard to retain as many assets as possible.
That’s why it’s crucial that you ask your lawyer about what the laws in your state say about splitting assets in a divorce. And if there are particular items or assets that are especially important to you, make sure you tell your lawyer so they know how to fight for you in the weeks and months to come.
What Do You Need From Me?
Finally, this is a very important question to ask your new divorce lawyer. While family law firms are there to provide you with divorce help, they may need certain information or cooperation from you along the way. Every state has its own divorce laws, and every case is different. Talk to your lawyer from the beginning about what procedures must be followed during this process. This will help you understand the general time frame and the major milestones. The typical divorce can last up to six months, from the moment the initial divorce petition is filed and served to the finalization of the legal divorce agreement. However, divorces can drag on much longer if you aren’t prepared for what’s to come.
Divorce can be hard, but it’s important to seek divorce help from a family lawyer to make sure that the process runs smoothly from beginning to end. They can walk you through what to do if you have kids, what to do with your assets, and tell you what you can expect from the case.
