3 Key Things A Divorce Attorney Can Handle
The aftermath of a divorce can be difficult to navigate. You may have questions about custody rights, property division, and other concerns. Fortunately, a divorce attorney can handle these issues and many more for you, making this process easier. Here are three key things these lawyers will handle for you.
Debt Repayment Plan
Family debt is often an added stress to a divorce. Unfortunately, many couples don't consider it until it's time to divide their property. If you jointly own debt, a divorce attorney can ensure both of you take equal responsibility for paying it. They'll devise a repayment plan that's fair to both of you and split it up to ensure each party is responsible for their own financial obligations.
However, if it's only your partner who's responsible for the debt, an attorney will protect you from being held accountable. This is especially important if they have child support and spousal support debt. They can also subpoena financial records if your spouse is hiding assets or transferring them to their relatives. That way, you won't have to worry about ruining your credit because of the other person's financial missteps.
Spousal Support Payment
Spousal support is a point of contention in many divorce cases. They occur when one spouse has been out-earned by the other through personal choices or because one partner couldn't earn an equal income during the marriage. The court generally sets child support payments first, using state guidelines that consider both incomes and custody arrangements. After it's settled, the court can award spousal support based on your needs.
A divorce lawyer can help you petition the courts for appropriate payment amounts. They'll calculate the payments that your partner should contribute while ensuring it complies with federal, state, and local laws regarding spousal support. If your spouse isn't cooperating, they'll file papers with the courts to ensure compliance.
Property Division
Property division can be a long, complicated process. It requires a lot of time and paperwork to enable your spouse to understand what is being divided and how the division was made. A lawyer can help with this division and ensure both of you walk away with an equal amount of your shared belongings after the divorce proceedings. During the division, they'll consider factors such as who paid for certain possessions during the marriage and whether one party may need more money than another because of children. If it's necessary, they can also help you file for temporary orders, which will determine how assets, child custody, and support payments are divided during the divorce proceedings.
Divorce attorneys can help you to handle many issues related to the divorce process. If you hire them, they'll take care of everything for you, giving you time to focus on other things. Contact a local law firm, such as Gomez May LLP, to learn more.
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