When you are going through a separation or a divorce, it is one of the most stressful times of your life. If you have a lawyer who isn’t experienced in family law, they may not be able to help you. When you hire a family lawyer who practices exclusively in this field, they will understand the entire process. They can help ease the stress and get you through to a resolution. Take a look at the top eight things that a family lawyer can do for you.
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1. They Understand the Law
When you work with a family lawyer, they understand the law and can manage your case effectively. This means that they are up to date on the common practices and tactics that are used in family law cases today, and they understand what tactics are inappropriate. For example, in the past, couples used to battle each other in court, but today the courts are looking for parties to work together towards a resolution. A family lawyer understands the laws and the common practices used today.
2. They Will Help You with Child Custody Arrangements
One of the most challenging parts of a divorce or separation is working out the child custody arrangements. If there are more children, there may need to be separate arrangements for each one depending on their ages. The family lawyer will negotiate with the other party to come to an agreement for visitation, living arrangements, and holiday visits. It is important to make this plan because it is one of the most emotional as it is always hard for parents.
3. They Help with Child Support Agreements
Another part of family law is determining how each parent is going to pay for the children’s expenses. There are a lot of details, such as basic expenses, additional expenses, college, and more. The family lawyer can help negotiate this arrangement so that each parent is paying what is fair and the children are taken care of.
4. They Help Work out Spousal Support Payments
In family law, there are often spousal support payments that people need to work out. This is another emotional topic, and it is important to get it resolved. One partner might not have been working, and it can give them time to find a job or get the training necessary for another job. One spouse may need to provide a level of support that is similar to what they received during the marriage. There is a lot to negotiate in these cases, and the family lawyer makes the process easier for you.
5. They Can Help Negotiate Division of Marital Assets
Another aspect of family law is the division of marital assets. Some couples agree on this, but if both parties want to remain in the home, there can be an issue. If one party plans to keep the home, they will often need to pay the cash value for half the home. Family lawyers can help with these negotiations so that they don’t have to fight about it in court.
6. They Advocate for You in Court
If you are unable to reach an agreement with your ex-spouse, a family lawyer can advocate for you in the court. They will be familiar with the process and know the best strategies to have success. They also know what you can reasonably expect out of a trial, and they will advise you accordingly. If you have unreasonable expectations, they can help you understand what is realistic so that the process is less contentious.
7. They Can Offer You Support
When you are going through a separation or a divorce, it can feel overwhelming and lonely. Your friends and family may not want to get in the middle because they care about you and your partner. There are times when it can feel as though nobody understands what you are going through, but your family lawyer lives in this world and can understand it.
They can help you make sense of it and pull some of the emotion out. It can be easier to go through this tough time when you have someone impartial there to support you.
8. You Can Focus on Healing
When you have a family lawyer handling the legal aspects of your divorce or separation, you will be able to focus on healing because they will handle the negotiations and paperwork. They will file what needs to be filed and communicate with your partner’s attorney to make sure that it is resolved in the simplest way possible.
Rather than focusing on the negative and working out custody and support agreements, you can heal from the loss of your relationship. It always takes time to get through a major event of this kind, and you can leave the legal arguments to your attorney and focus on yourself.
