Most people have watched the drama of unhealthy marriages unravel around them, as well as across the big screen. The scene is very common. It entails quarrels over custody, investments, vacation homes, and anything else that binds husband and wife together through their engagement. A family law attorney usually comes next. Not surprisingly, continuing divorce proceedings quickly and in a respectful manner requires some outside help. Here are the three main reasons you might consider a family law attorney before embarking on a divorce.
Nursery
If you and your spouse had children during your marriage, you probably thought about their fate several times before embarking on a divorce. Where will they live permanently? How often will we switch visits? How will we divide their expenses? In order to resolve these questions and concerns, a family law attorney can provide his or her years of experience in the field to these decisions more easily.
Depending on the level of respect and communication between the spouses during the split, custody decisions can be made in two ways. Either the parents reach an agreement as a result of informal settlement negotiations (usually with lawyers present) or dispute resolution options such as mediation. If neither of these options works, the court will make a decision. Usually, it is best for children that the parents come to decisions together before taking the matter to court with the guidance of an experienced legal professional.
Property
When couples marry for the first time, they usually invest in real estate together. When it comes to splitting this property, many different factors play a role in how the assets are divided. Most states use “common law” systems of ownership, which is something an attorney has more experience with. You will need your previous documents such as a title deed, registration or other title document. If both names are listed on the papers, the property can be divided in half and half. Otherwise, things get a little more complicated, especially if the pre-existing is involved. This is where a family law attorney can take over when worrying about how to divide property into a married couple.
bank accounts
Not surprisingly, most couples share some form of bank account. Some couples maintain individual bank accounts during marriage, but this money can also be subject to analysis during divorce depending on the employment status of both people in the relationship. Many couples have trouble figuring out who is entitled to what, especially if one spouse stays home from work to raise children during the marriage or if one spouse has accumulated a lot of credit card debt without the other half knowing about the activity. This is where a family law attorney steps in and takes over to make sure your best interests are protected.
Before you take another step in the divorce proceedings, you should think about what a lawyer can do for you in order to protect your lifestyle. Whether it is time with your children, your home or your financial living, all these factors must be protected with the help of an experienced professional.