Are you worried that your marriage has come to an end? Do you fear that, if you choose to go down this road, things will get messy between you and your current spouse? If so, then you must hire a divorce attorney to represent your side of things.
Like it or not, a line will have to be drawn in several aspects of your life. You’ll have to mediate over things like your current home and other belongings, parenting plans moving forward, and so forth. Without legal representation, that line might begin to favor your spouse.
Be sure to read on to learn more about Charlotte Christian Law and why we’re the best fit for your divorce lawyer needs. We’ve provided an in-depth guide that you can use to understand why hiring a divorce attorney is so crucial during this difficult time.
What is a Divorce Attorney?
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Did you know that the average divorce can take anywhere from three to twelve months to wrap up? The timeframe of the divorce depends on a variety of factors. For example, was it a fault or no-fault divorce? Was it simplified, contested, or uncontested? The very fact that you probably don’t understand those terms is proof enough that you need a divorce attorney.
Family divorce attorneys are, first and foremost, students of civil law. They can help your case in a variety of ways, but the primary focus is helping with things like dividing assets and figuring out parenting plans moving forward.
There are a few skills they depend on to excel in this area. First, they have to have a strong understanding of both federal and state civil law. This knowledge can help you better understand the process as it’s unfolding.
Second, they have strong communication skills. They’re able to communicate with both you (as their client), as well as with your spouse and their attorney to try and find solutions to the problem at hand.
What Are the Signs I Should Hire a Divorce Attorney?
There are some people out there that choose to go through the divorce process without seeking legal representation. In a perfect world and the most ideal situation, that might be possible. It would require both sides to be 100-percent on the same page.
However, we highly recommend that you hire an attorney even if you and your spouse are on relatively good terms. Divorce is an intense process and all it takes is for one situation where tensions are running high to undo all your progress. See below for more signs that you should hire a divorce attorney.
You Don’t Understand Divorce Law
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This is a given. The divorce process is elaborate and, usually, quite time-consuming. The odds are that your soon-to-be ex-spouse is going to hire a lawyer, so you’re already at a disadvantage if you elect not to.
It involves a plethora of legal terms and both federal and state laws that you likely don’t understand. Your opposition will intentionally use legal jargon to overwhelm you and force you into a bad decision. They’ll use tricks of the trade to get you to settle for less than you might deserve during mediation.
Hire the best divorce attorney in your community to oversee your end of things. They’ll take the time to listen to your goals, then go to work trying to reach the best possible solution for your situation.
You Have Children
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Simply put: you never want to put the custody of your children at risk. It doesn’t matter whether your spouse is the clear reason for the divorce or not, their lawyers might be able to give their client more time with your kids than you’re comfortable with. There’s also the aspect of child support that needs to be resolved.
As soon as you and your spouse decide to pursue a divorce, reach out and hire a lawyer. They’ll help prepare you for your divorce settlement and remain steadfast on your wishes regarding child custody, child support, etc.
For all you dads out there, you should be warned: family law typically favors the mother. If you’re wanting to gain custody of your children, you’re already facing an uphill battle. All the more reason to hire a trusted Alabama family lawyer.
You and Your Spouse Don’t See Eye to Eye
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Here’s something to find comfort in: most spouses don’t see eye to eye when it comes to the mediation aspect of a divorce. It’s just the nature of the situation. Emotions are high. Pride gets in the way at times. Oftentimes, one side is more difficult and unwavering than the other.
There’s no way to foresee what lies ahead. All you can do is prepare yourself for the divorce process and get yourself in good hands by hiring a lawyer.
In doing so, you’re giving yourself the best opportunity for a desirable outcome. Family lawyers can help both sides remain as amicable as possible through this process.
You Have a Common Law Marriage
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For those of you that are unfamiliar with the term, a common-law marriage refers to any situation in which a couple is legally considered married without ever having registered or documented it as a civil or religious marriage. The most common scenario for this is when couples have lived together for several years.
Here’s where it gets interesting. While the state of Alabama abolished the common law marriage law on Jan. 1, 2017, they still honor any common law marriages that were documented before that date.
As you might imagine, this can complicate things quite a bit. It’s best to hire an experienced divorce lawyer to navigate the laws and regulations, giving you the best results possible.
Hire a Trusted Divorce Attorney for Your Case
Now that you have seen an in-depth guide on why you should get a divorce attorney and the telltale signs that you need one, be sure to use this information to your advantage.
