Family Lawyer Greenville SC
The legal side of a divorce – How to find the best divorce attorney
They say marriages are the epitome of all romantic gestures in the human race. Indeed the very thought of marrying the person you love is a dream for many and an expensive proposition too. It is why most people stay away from the idea of handing in a divorce. Unfortunately, there are some situations where there is no other answer other than applying for a divorce.
If you find yourself in such a situation, you would already have a general idea of the challenges and obstacles that lie ahead of you. The first step to moving on is to find yourself the best divorce attorney possible. This article aims to present readers with an in-depth understanding of a divorce attorney's day-to-day responsibilities and other tips on how they can hire a divorce attorney or a divorce lawyer.
Who is a divorce attorney?
As you probably guessed from the name, lawyers who have experience handling divorces, child custody, child support, and other related issues are known as divorce attorneys. Initially, some people may wonder if it is mandatory to hire a divorce lawyer or if they need a divorce lawyer. However, the number of legal issues and paperwork one may face may tempt them to approach the best divorce attorney to make their lives far easier.
A competent divorce lawyer will explain all the procedures and rules that have to be followed during the family process while also checking that all required paperwork and documents are submitted on time. As divorce laws vary from region to region, it is advisable to hire a divorce lawyer from the same jurisdiction.
Benefits of hiring a professional lawyer:
You know what a divorce lawyer does and how they function on a day to basis. What are the benefits for you as an individual if you hire a professional divorce lawyer to help with your family matters? Let's take a look:
• The best divorce attorney will undoubtedly have a better knowledge of the court's law and workings than a normal person. Even if you are confident handling any paperwork, only lawyers know the various intricacies of different laws and jurisdictions.
• In any divorce, the distribution of legal assets between the people involved is one of the most important things. A divorce attorney will do their best to ensure that both parties get a fair share of the available assets. Thus both parties can be satisfied.
• A divorce attorney helps keeps things objective and level-headed throughout the process. Naturally, a divorce is an emotional process, but the best divorce attorney will strictly keep things as fair and unbiased as possible.
• An attorney may also offer the couple an alternative route to settle the case more amicably. Normally, court cases are not only expensive but also mentally exhausting. If there is a way to settle the case at home, the attorney will suggest that instead.
What can a divorce attorney do for me?
If you've read through thoroughly up to this point, you should now be having a basic idea of how a divorce attorney can help you. So, without further ado, let's dive deeper into some of the logistics that van be handled competently by the best divorce attorney:
Explaining divorce
First and foremost, every divorce attorney's basic duty is to explain the legal grounds for a divorce to both parties in an understandable manner. Different states have different rules for divorce. Some common grounds for divorce include abuse, incarceration, malicious treatment, and even adultery. A professional attorney may also go through all legal paperwork concerning the marriage to check for any loopholes or missing files.
Rendering advice
As mentioned earlier, a divorce is a hard thing to undergo for all parties involved. It is generally emotion-laden, and tensions can run high. Any divorce attorney in Greenville sc will first and foremost take an objective stance and present you with facts and data regarding the long term consequences of your divorce, such as child custody. Additionally, an attorney may also act as an intermediate between you and your spouse so that you can avoid personal contact.
Splitting assets
In most marriages, the married couple usually handles all financial assets together. However, in some cases, one party may not be aware of certain valuable financial assets that could be used while chalking out a divorce settlement. It is where the best divorce attorney will give you a massive boost. The attorney will do their best to ensure that both you and your spouse are transparent and have disclosed all your marital assets.
Paving debt repayment plan
Debt can be described as an unpaid loan to your local bank. It can be a car loan or a housing loan, or even a personal loan. In married couples, there is an option called joint debt, where both partners agree to repay debt together while they are married. However, this can get problematic in a divorce. The best divorce attorney will try to find a way for you to avoid debt repayment, if possible, and thus lessen your burden.
Child custody
It is one of the major and one of the more emotional aspects of getting a divorce settlement. If you and your spouse do not have any children, you'll be spared the trouble of going through the process of getting child custody. Child custody allows both parties to visit and take care of the child for a set amount of time. A divorce attorney in Greenville sc will be experienced dealing with such delicate issues and ensure all the necessary paperwork is to strike a fair deal between both parties.
Preparing papers
All the talk of getting a divorce and reaching a settlement alone won't suffice. The talk must also be backed up by the relevant paperwork and other necessary documents. In this case, the client can ready the paperwork with some minor assistance from the attorney, or the attorney can ready the paperwork if their client is underprepared. In certain cases, the attorney may reach out to the other party to respond to their divorce petition.
Negotiating settlements
The best divorce attorney is also primarily responsible for helping their client negotiate a deal with their former spouse regarding who gets to stake a claim over the estate. If this process is done in court, it is usually long drawn out and more often than not a waste of time. However, if there is no litigation, both parties can expect a settlement to be negotiated quickly and fairly.
Legal representation
Finally, a divorce lawyer will legally represent you in court if and when required. A divorce attorney in Greenville sc may also opt for litigation, which means avoiding a courtroom battle, in favor of a more family-friendly setting. It can help settle issues such as division of assets, child custody, etc. more quickly for both partners to reduce both the mental and financial burden.
Choosing the best lawyer
You probably now consider yourself well educated on the ins and outs of divorce attorneys. Before you go try to Google "divorce attorney near me," though, ensure that you have the following tips running in your mind to select only the very best
• Professionalism: The most important thing for any lawyer is body language. A professional lawyer is someone who views the case objectively and bases his suggestions solely on facts rather than emotion or personal bias.
• Experience: A lawyer with less experience doesn't necessarily mean they are not good, but it always helps to get someone who has plenty of experience working in similar cases in the past. It can help avoid any unnecessary hiccups.
• Background check: Whether it is a firm or a lawyer, everything these days needs to have a background check. Have a good idea of the person you'll be working with for the next few months.
• Willingness to take the case: In some cases, you might find the best divorce attorney, but they may be unwilling to take the case. Always look for a lawyer with a keen interest in your situation and the case.
• Practical advice: A lawyer should always work and suggest a solution that benefits their client and is also practically feasible. Nonpractical solutions are simply a waste of time for everyone involved.
• Engaging communication: The best divorce attorney is someone who is not only knowledgeable but also very open to communicating with you and your spouse. It gives roots to a smooth process.
• Reputation: Veteran lawyers who have been in the field don't need an introduction. If you can find someone with a glittering CV, don't think twice about approaching them for your situation.
• Reviews and References: This final step goes hand in hand with a background check. See past cases dealt with the lawyer and if their clients were satisfied with the outcome or not. Such reviews can help.
It isn't easy by any means to go through a divorce. It is said to be a very mentally exhausting process. However, one will not have much trouble finding a good divorce attorney in Greenville sc, and that should help lessen the strain on you and your spouse.
