Getting Divorced? 3 Ways A Family Lawyer Can Make This Stressful Time Easier For You

Law Blog

If your partner and you have decided that your marriage is no longer working and that divorce is the best solution to your problem, then you are likely feeling a lot of stress. Divorce can be one of the most stressful events a person ever experiences in their life, and you need to take care to protect your mental  health during this time. While a counselor can help you deal with your emotions, a good family lawyer can help you every step of the way through the legal battle between you and your spouse that may just be starting. 

Read on to learn three ways family lawyers help make the divorce process less stressful for adults seeking divorce. 

1. Your Lawyer Can File the Divorce Papers for You

If the divorce papers have not yet been filed, then your lawyer can help you tackle this often-overwhelming step to seeking divorce. There are many federal and state laws that dictate where your divorce papers must be filed and whether your spouse and you must file for separation before official divorce papers can be filed.  Whether your state requires legal separation before divorce or not, there can be some advantages to filing for legal separation or informally separating from your spouse before divorce that your lawyer will inform you of to help ensure the divorce process goes as smoothly as possible for you. 

2. They Will Also Help You Fight for Custody of Your Children If Needed

If your spouse and you can come to a mutual agreement about who will be the primary caregiver of your children after the divorce and a visitation schedule that makes you both happy, then that is great. However, unfortunately, many divorcing couples have different ideas about what a fair child custody agreement is that leads to extreme stress that can often even impact the psychological well-being of the children. 

A good family lawyer will inform you of the state's laws regarding child custody after divorce and exactly how much time with your children you are entitled to. They will then work with your spouse, or your spouse's lawyer, to get them to agree to treat you fairly, so you don't have to endure another argument with them that leaves you stressed out. 

However, if your spouse will not agree to the custody plan you desire, then your lawyer can help you fight for the custody plan you desire in court. 

3. They Can Also Tackle Child Support and Alimony Issues

If you would like to seek full custody of your children after your divorce, but are unsure if you can support them financially, then your lawyer will inform you of how much child support and alimony you are entitled to after the divorce to help ensure you can provide for your children. Child support and alimony laws vary by state, but in all states, the spouse who the children reside with most of the time (the primary caregiver) is entitled to child support from the spouse who is not the primary caregiver. This is usually a percentage of the non-primary caregiver's income. 

However, realize that your lawyer can also help convince your spouse to agree to pay for expenses above-and-beyond what is required by law. For example, an agreement that each parent will pay for one-half of the child's cost of college after they turn 18 is common. 

Divorcing a spouse is always stressful, but the the help of a good lawyer can help make this time less stressful for both you and your children. 

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24 April 2017

How to Make the Law Work For You

The court system can seem frightening and confusing if you're not used to using it. Whether you've been accused of a crime and you're trying to navigate the criminal court system, or you're being sued or considering suing someone else in civil court, you need an advocate who knows their way around. That's why finding the right lawyer for the job is so important. In this blog, I'll be helping you learn how to choose the right lawyer for the job and sharing information about legal strategies and courtroom procedures that you may come across when you have a legal problem. You need accurate information to help you understand the court system, and this blog can help.