Divorce Lawyer

A divorce lawyer can represent the petitioner (plaintiff), who is the spouse requesting the divorce, or the respondent, the spouse who is being asked for the divorce. Each state has its own laws regarding divorce covering everything from community property issues to separations, no-fault divorce, annulments, debts, assets, alimony, child custody and child support, how long you have to wait till the divorce is final and much, much more.

Although it is possible to represent yourself in a divorce, the majority of divorces involve so many different factors that you are better off if you have legal representation. It is quite common for divorce cases to also involve other legal issues like bankruptcy, abandonment, accusations of abuse or other criminal activity, among others, and therefore many divorce lawyers are also experienced in family law or they are partners in a law firm that can encompass all aspects of law that could be involved in your particular case.

The two most critical areas that a divorce lawyer can help with are financial arrangements and child custody. Whether you are the petitioner or the respondent, you need to make sure that all of your interests are protected and that’s what divorce lawyers do. While some couples share a lawyer, this is usually a bad idea and can lead to malpractice charges. It is in your best interests to have separate lawyers whose loyalties are not in question.

Some divorce lawyers emphasize divorce mediation or collaborative divorce in order to resolve issues and work through the divorce process in a less antagonistic manner. In fact in some states, mediation is required before a divorce will be granted. If you think your situation could be resolved amiably, be sure you select a divorce lawyer who is experienced in mediation and collaboration to keep your divorce from ending up in court and having the issues decided by a judge.

The fees that divorce lawyers charge can vary greatly, and some attorneys are hard to pin down when discussing the cost. While it is understandable that a lawyer can’t always tell you in advance exactly how much your divorce will cost, he should have enough experience with different types of situations to be able to give you a ball park figure.

There are many facets to a divorce – it’s a good idea to write down your basic questions and concerns, do some research, and consult with several different attorneys before selecting the divorce lawyer you want to represent you.