Going through a divorce can be one of the most difficult times in your life, regardless of whether you are a man or a woman, a parent or without children, in your 20's or in your 60's. When a marriage has been irretrievably broken, betrayal, loss, confusion and despair can cloud every area of your life, from your work to your friendships to your goals for the future.
Understanding Divorce Law
Trying to navigate a divorce without understanding the laws that govern divorce proceedings is not an uncommon position to be in. Most individuals never plan on being divorced, but find themselves having to submit to laws they have never heard of and have certainly never studied. But to insure that you don't lose your home or possessions, as well as your spouse, you may need to be better prepared than the average person.
Settling Out of Court
Many divorces are settled out of court through amicable negotiation between the divorcing couple. But arguments can arise regarding almost every aspect of a marriage, including:
Child custody
Real estate ownership
Alimony payments
Child support
Retirement funds
Automobiles
Personal items
Divorce Hearings and Judgments
For couples who encounter one of these disagreements and are not willing to relinquish their position, a divorce hearing may be called. Because this is not a criminal hearing, the outcome is often determined by an individual judge, who hears hundreds of divorce cases every year. Because of this, whether or not you receive what is rightfully yours hinges on your ability to present your side of the story clearly and accurately. Most individuals rely on an experienced divorce law attorney to help them do so. It is almost certain that, whether you are settling the division of property in court or out of court, your former spouse will have legal representation. So should you.
Finding a Divorce Lawyer
Because going through a divorce is already a stressful process, it is important to work with a divorce attorney who you feel comfortable with and feel you can trust. Most divorce attorneys will meet with you to discuss your expectations and concerns long before you meet with your spouse and his or her attorneys, and will answer your questions about divorce law up front. This also gives you the opportunity to consider what is important to you to retain after the divorce, and on what points you may be willing to concede to get what is most valuable to you.