what to ask your attorney before you file for divorce

What are the best questions to ask a divorce lawyer?

Feb 11, 2022 · Given the scope of depth and complexity of family law you do not want to be left scrambling to find an attorney in an effort to be the first one to file for divorce. Questions to ask your divorce attorney: During your consultation, you should ask about strategy and costs. Be sure to ask what costs are expected you need to hire experts such as forensic accountants or …

What you should know before contacting a divorce attorney?

Before you move forward with divorce, the savviest attorneys would advise you to make some preparations. It might seem heartless, but if you plan to ask your spouse for a divorce, or if you think your spouse might want one from you, there are some matters you should take care of first.

What qualities make a good divorce attorney?

Oct 17, 2019 · Your financial account records, phone records, mortgages, and car notes are all likely relevant to the divorce. To the extent possible, gather all the documents you’ll need for your case before filing for divorce. If you and your spouse have a shared file of paper records in your home, make copies of everything before meeting with your attorney.

What to look for in a good divorce attorney?

If this is something you want to do, you should ask the attorney whether you have the proper basis to make such a request of the court. The attorney should then ask questions to determine if you have the factual and legal basis to do so on an emergency basis or a nonemergency basis.

What should I ask for in my divorce?

Considerations to Make About What to Ask for in a Divorce SettlementMarital Home. ... Life Insurance and Health Insurance Policies. ... Division of Debt. ... Private School Tuition and College Tuition. ... Family Heirlooms and Jewelry. ... Parenting Time. ... Retirement Funds.

What to do before asking for a divorce?

Top 10 Things to Do Before You File For a DivorceNever Threaten to Divorce Until You Are Ready To File. ... Organize Your Documents. ... Focus on Your Children. ... Make Sure You Have Three Months of Financial Resources. ... Obtain the Best Legal Advice You Can Get. ... Make Sure You Have Available Credit.More items...•Jan 4, 2022

Who should file for divorce first?

In legal terms it should have no impact on the eventual outcome whoever starts the divorce process. However, in some circumstances it does make a difference who petitions for divorce. There may be financial implications, for whoever files the petition will incur additional court costs.

What are the five stages of divorce?

There are two processes in divorce. The emotional process can be broken down into 5 stages: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance.

What is collaborative divorce?

In collaborative divorce, the two attorneys work together as a team, with the goal of problem solving, not duking it out. The well-to-do may always divorce the traditional way.

Do it yourself divorce?

From the do-it-yourself divorce (referred to as pro se or pro per) to the mediated divorce to all the variations in-between, divorce has become a consumer's marketplace. If you have limited funds, you no longer have to spend them all on your attorney just to sever your marriage.

Is divorce unrealistic?

Unless you've already been through a divorce, you might have some unrealistic notions about what's involved. Ideas about the painful process derive not just from family and friends but also Hollywood movies and tabloids that often focus on extraordinary circumstances, or the extraordinarily rich and famous.

How to deal with divorce emotionally?

If you have the financial means, it can help to speak with a therapist or other mental health professional. At the very least, speak with friends who have been through divorce. Let your family and friends know that you’ll be leaning on them for advice and moral support. Being emotionally stable will better prepare you to make smart decisions as your divorce progresses.

How to decide on financial goals for divorce?

You can’t decide your financial goals for your divorce without having an accurate picture of your assets and debts. While it’s not usually necessary to hire an accountant prior to filing for divorce, it’s a good idea to put together a simple balance sheet showing all of your assets and debts. Include real property, cars, retirement accounts, bank accounts and other assets, as well as any mortgages, notes, credit cards, and other debts. This can give you an idea of what you and your spouse will split, and you can start working on your desired division of the marital estate. Determining your total assets can also help you set a budget for how much to spend on your attorney and the divorce litigation.

What does a divorce decree mean?

In most jurisdictions, the judge automatically issues an order at the beginning of your divorce case that prohibits you or your spouse from selling, buying, or otherwise encumbering or disposing of any marital property. Courts do this to prevent either spouse from draining the bank accounts, or dissipating the marital estate out of spite.

Can a divorce be granted if only one spouse wants to end the marriage?

The court can grant a divorce even if only one spouse wants to end the marriage. If you’d still like to give marital counseling a try, do so before you file for divorce.

Should I close my credit cards before filing for divorce?

Depending on how you and your spouse handle your joint financial accounts and credit cards, your attorney may advise you to close the accounts or leave them the same. You don’t want to be in a situation where your spouse has the ability to run up bills in your name or drain the bank accounts – both circumstances may take the entire divorce to sort out. Your attorney can best advise you about whether you should divide the accounts in half, close them, or leave them the same before filing for divorce.

Can I have a relationship with my spouse before divorce?

Additionally, a judge may consider money you spend on a paramour dissipation of the marital estate, and could require you to reimburse your spouse for those expenditures. In any case , it typically doesn’t help your case to have started another relationship before your divorce has been filed. In some states you can begin a relationship after filing for divorce; speak with your attorney about how the court will view dating before your divorce is complete. See Divorce and Dating for more information.

Can I start a relationship after divorce?

In any case, it typically doesn’t help your case to have started another relationship before your divorce has been filed. In some states you can begin a relationship after filing for divorce; speak with your attorney about how the court will view dating before your divorce is complete.

What can a divorce attorney do for you?

An experienced and knowledgeable divorce attorney will provide you with the tools to communicate better with your spouse. These tools include how to communicate with your spouse, when to communicate with your spouse and how to diffuse conflict.

How to plan your life after a divorce?

If you want to plan your life after a divorce, you should at least have a general idea of how long divorces similar to yours take. This planning will also help you prepare a budget for the cost of divorce. The attorney should truthfully tell you there is no way to predict exactly how long a divorce will take.

What is spousal support?

Spousal support, also called alimony, is either temporary or ordered at the final judgment. Most divorce cases include both temporary spousal support and spousal support at the judgment phase. We are not going to go into a lengthy discussion about spousal support.