Divorce is never fun. But it is a fact of life, and it tends to happen fairly often in this day and age. It’s estimated that the probability of a first marriage ending in separation or divorce within the first five years is 20%, and the probability of that first marriage ending after 10 years actually rises to 30%. Where once people were judged for getting divorced, it’s gradually becoming more socially acceptable. Still, many people don’t understand how divorces actually work. They imagine that as long as both parties want to get divorced, they’ll sign some papers and it will be done quickly enough. This lack of knowledge is why many divorces which could have otherwise been amicable end up becoming battles in court. It’s not as if anyone can handle the legal matters that come with divorce. In fact, divorce requires the careful work of specialized attorneys. These specialized attorneys focus entirely on family law — which in itself can cover more than some might think. Below, we’ll look into a few ways that divorce attorneys can make this difficult process a little easier on you. With the help of specialized attorneys, your legal issues will hopefully become a thing of the past, and you can move on with your life.
1. Mediation
Mediation is one of the first ways in which specialized attorneys can help you navigate your divorce. In this case, you and your spouse will meet with your attorneys and a neutral third party called a mediator. The mediator and your attorneys will attempt to help you and your spouse reach a settlement without going to court. There are many reasons why spouses end up going to court during a divorce — and without good attorneys, they’ll be more likely to do so. One of the main reasons is that the divorce isn’t “mutual”. That is, only one spouse wants the divorce, leaving the other one hurt and reluctant to concede to any agreements. In fact, 80% of divorce decisions are unilateral like this. A mediator can help spouses think through their bad feelings and focus on the task at hand. Your attorney, on the other hand, will make sure that your interests are still represented. The last thing you want to do is go to court; a divorce in which people go to court is much more expensive than one where they do not.
2. Custody
One of the most important things for divorcing couples with children to consider is a custody agreement. With custody agreements come many things. The parents will know how often they can see their children, and for that matter will decide what will happen when the children are out of school, as well as what will happen should a parent move far away. There are other considerations too — including that of child support. Unfortunately, many custody cases do end up going to court. This is because the parents were unable to come to an agreement during mediation or through their attorneys. A good attorney can both help you try to find a solution out of court and defend your rights as a parent in court. Certainly, the matter is not to be taken lightly.
3. Dividing Assets
The division of assets is very important during a divorce. Essentially, this division decides who gets what — in regards to money, furniture, property, and much more. In some cases couples are able to figure this out on their own. In others, however, the issue can become very complicated. This is especially true in cases wherein the parties do have a good amount of assets, and don’t have a prenuptial agreement. Divorce attorneys keep a conflict from growing into a war. Remember that the sooner your divorce is settled, the sooner you will be able to move on with your life. Seek out an attorney who understands your goals, is competent, and aggressive. That way, everyone will get what they want.