If you’re considering divorce, it’s important to know when to get a lawyer and when you can go it alone. While it’s possible to get divorced without an attorney, the process is often more complicated and time-consuming than you would expect. Here are some situations where it might be a good idea to hire an experienced divorce lawyer:
You Own Assets or Have Debts
When a relationship ends, the process of dividing up assets and debts can be complicated and emotionally charged. If you and your partner own property, investments, businesses or other significant assets, you need a lawyer to help you divide them equitably.
Similarly, if you and your partner have significant debts, such as mortgages or large credit card balances, you’ll need an experienced attorney to help ensure that the debt is divided fairly.
You Have Dependent Children
If you have minor children, it is imperative that you hire a divorce lawyer. A good attorney can help you establish and protect your rights as a parent, ensuring that you are able to get custody or parenting time that allows for the best interests of the children.
Your lawyer can also help you navigate the often complex legal system, making sure that all of the necessary paperwork is filed and that deadlines are met.
In addition, a lawyer can provide invaluable support and advice during what is often a difficult and emotional time.
By hiring a qualified divorce attorney, you can help to ensure that your rights as a parent are protected and that your children are able to maintain as much stability as possible during and after the divorce.
You Need Alimony
Alimony, also known as spousal support, is a financial payment made from one spouse to the other after a divorce. If you are eligible for alimony, an experienced divorce lawyer will be able to negotiate a fair amount with your spouse and make sure that it is included in the final divorce agreement.
While there is no hard and fast rule for how alimony is calculated, there are a number of factors that can be considered, such as the length of the marriage, each spouse’s earning capacity, and whether one spouse sacrificed their career to care for the home and family.
To ensure that you receive a fair settlement, it is important to have an experienced divorce lawyer on your side who can advocate for your rights and help to reach a favorable outcome.
You Have Complex Tax Issues
Divorce can have significant tax implications, and a knowledgeable divorce lawyer can help to make sure that you are not subject to any unexpected tax liabilities. Your lawyer can provide valuable advice on issues such as the division of retirement accounts, capital gains taxes, or other complex financial matters that may arise during a divorce.
By hiring an attorney with extensive experience in dealing with these types of issues, you can ensure that your taxes are handled properly, and that any disputes between you and the IRS are resolved quickly.
You Are in a High-Conflict Divorce
Sometimes, even the most amicable of divorces can become high conflict. If your partner refuses to cooperate or is not willing to negotiate in good faith, an experienced divorce lawyer can help protect your rights and make sure that your best interests are taken into consideration.
Your lawyer can also provide invaluable advice on how to handle the situation, helping you to avoid costly litigation or other contentious legal disputes. Ultimately, a good divorce lawyer will be able to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive a fair settlement.
No matter what the circumstances of your divorce, it is important to have an experienced attorney on your side who can help protect your rights and guide you through the legal process. A good divorce lawyer will be able to provide valuable advice and support during this difficult time, helping you reach a favorable outcome that meets your needs and protects your best interests. With an experienced lawyer on your side, you can ensure that the process of divorce is as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Your Spouse Already Hired a Divorce Attorney
Being served with divorce paperwork by your spouse’s attorney can be daunting. Seek professional legal counsel immediately.
Family law is complicated and a small error on your forms can cause serious, lifelong consequences.
If your spouse has already hired a lawyer, the clock is ticking.
Gantt Family Law in Raleigh
Our team of experienced attorneys understand that divorce can be an emotionally and financially challenging experience, and we strive to provide compassionate counsel while fighting for our clients’ best interests.
We handle a wide variety of legal matters related to divorce, including spousal support, child support and custody arrangements, division of assets and debts, and pre- and post-marital agreements. Our attorneys are experienced in handling high-conflict cases, as well as those involving complex tax issues or other difficult financial matters.
Schedule a consultation to learn more.