DIVORCE
Your Advocate
Most people don't get married with divorce in mind and never envision what their divorce may look like or feel like. Whether your divorce was a surprise or a long time coming, amicable or full of conflict, we are here to help you navigate the legal system. Often parties are able to resolve their divorce without the necessity of court intervention by participating in mediation or other negotiation conferences. These options are sometimes advisable because it reduces the expense and stress that comes with court proceedings. In other cases the parties\' positions are so far apart that settlement is unrealistic and the court must make decisions regarding your case. When this happens, I am prepared to be your advocate and fight for what is fair and just and in the best interests of your children.
Things to consider:
- What are the community assets?
- Do you have separate property?
- Are you going to need spousal maintenance or contractual alimony?
- Do you think you are entitled to more than 50% of the community property?
- Are there reimbursement issues?
- Is there an asset that needs to be valued because its value is not easily ascertainable, such as a business?
- Is there fault in the breakup of the marriage?
- Has there been family violence?
Additional things to consider if you have children:
- What will the possession schedule look like?
- Who will decide where the children live primarily?
- What geographic area will the children’s primary residence be restricted to?
- Who has health insurance available to them at a reasonable cost? Who is going to pay for it?
- Is a parent going to want to relocate out of state or outside of the area where they are currently living?
- Who will pay child support and how much will it be?
- What extracurricular activities will the children be involved in throughout the year? Who will pay for them? Who is required to take the children to the activities?
- What special needs does my child have?
- Are there substance abuse issues with the other parent?
- Is there a pattern of one parent disparaging the other parent or the other parent’s family to the child?
- When can I contact my child when he or she is with the other parent?
- Does the other parent have mental health issues?