If you think you might be going through a divorce soon, you need to think about the legal, financial, and emotional aspects of this incredibly challenging life transition. Here are some critical things you will need to know about the divorce process.
Who do you need to speak to right now?
- An experienced divorce attorney will provide a thorough education of the process and explain your options. The most experienced attorneys will also direct you to other individuals you should consult.
- A real estate agent will be integral if you plan on selling your home and/or purchasing a new place to live, you will need to speak to a realtor.
- A divorce counselor or child counselor, if needed.
- An accountant, divorce financial expert, or similar financial professional can walk you through specific financial issues.
Do you need to attend a workshop hosted by lawyers, financial specialists, and/or divorce coaches?
Absolutely not. You will only receive generic information, wasting your time and money.
Instead, schedule a free consultation with an experienced divorce attorney, who can provide you information that is tailored specifically to your situation. Answers you will likely need immediately include:
- Do I have to leave my home?
- What should I do if there is domestic violence or violence towards my children?
- Do I need alimony and child support, and how long will it take me to get money?
- What will happen to our property? What property is marital? What property is not marital?
- What are the tax consequences of divorce?
- How will legal and physical child custody be determined and how can I protect my children now?
- What is the impact of separation and divorce on children, and should I have them see a counselor?
During this initial consultation, you will learn about the divorce process, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of different processes for managing your divorce, including options for moving forward:
- Should I represent myself?
- Should I engage in divorce mediation?
- Should I use another process like collaborative law?
- Will I end up in Court?
Additional items you may need to consider right now could include:
- What conversations should I be having/not be having with my spouse right now?
- Should I be speaking to my kids right now? What should I be saying?
- How will our bills get paid – now and in the future?
- Can we divide our property on our own?
- Can we reach a written agreement without lawyers on some issues, even if it is not all of the issues?
- Who can help me manage the emotions of divorce? Should I be not telling my friends or family what is going on or should I let them in?
Divorce is rarely easy. You will need a lot of assistance, but early assistance is the key to successfully navigating your divorce.
An initial consultation with a highly experienced divorce attorney is where you need to start. It will make the rest of the process that much easier for you, your children, and your family.
Milstein Siegel can help. Call us today at (410) 792-2300 to schedule a free consultation or fill out the form on this page to request additional information.
