Divorce is a difficult, challenging, and violent experience, not one that you should go through alone. With an expert lawyer, you can rest assured you’ll get the best outcome for you and your family. Here are four ways Lawyers can help you and your family during this difficult time.
- Asset Division
Most States use the equitable distribution principle of asset division instead of the community property one. That means instead of dividing the marital property (combined property) 50/50, they take into consideration several factors, which makes for a fairer split. These factors include:
- How much each spouse contributed to the combined property
- How much each spouse owned before marriage
- Amount of assets collected over the marriage
- Sources of income and earning capacities
- The duration of the marriage
- Value and liquidity of marital property
A credible lawyer can ensure that you get allocated a good portion of the individual and shared property collected over the years. They can make your case including all the factors, including how your life will change after the divorce, and defend your right to maintain your previous standard of living.
- Child Custody
Divided time and blended families are the collateral damage of divorce. However, the end goal should be in the best interest of the child, whether that is a win-win solution between both spouses or removing the children from a harmful parent or situation.
If the child’s parents plan on moving far away, then there should be some solution in which they can spend ample time with each parent without sacrificing their academic careers. That is only if both parents are healthy for the child.
If one parent is dangerous or abusive, then, of course, that parent should be distanced or completely removed from the child’s life. This is a tough job, especially if the abusive parent has a credible persona. However, a proficient lawyer can use the right legal leverage to avoid a case or break down that persona in court.
- Child Support
For nuclear families, divorce does not remain between just the parents. It also heavily affects the child. Protecting your child or children’s interests is a heavy responsibility that lawyers who practice divorce law bear. Whether child support is paid or not is decided alongside the division of assets.
If one parent is a homemaker lacking a career, if there are several children or very young children, child support becomes a necessity since one parent may be forced to stay home. Who needs to pay child support so that the split remains equitable? That is something a skillful lawyer can help you with.
- Alimony
Throughout a marriage, traditionally, one spouse always remains dependent on the single breadwinner. Earning and being independent is a relatively new concept for both spouses. That’s why many divorces may leave one of the spouses completely financially helpless. Then, Alimony can be contested.
People are divided on:
- Whether an alimony should be for your basic necessities or to maintain a lifestyle
- Alimonies should be permanent or temporary
- What determines how much alimony gets paid
What’s certain is, when it comes to alimony, how much your Lawyer can sway the judge is what decides what you must pay or receive.