Do I Need a Divorce Lawyer?

If you and your spouse are facing divorce, you have probably thought about whether or not you need a divorce lawyer. Once you and your spouse have agreed on getting divorce, then the next step to take is determining how to go about it. Here are some factors that you will need to decide on:

• You can try to handle the divorce yourself
• You can hire a mediator (with or without an attorney) to resolve contentious issues
• You can hire a lawyer to represent you throughout the settlement or in court
  

Determining the right path for you will depend on numerous factors, including:

Has your spouse already hired an attorney?

If your spouse has an attorney and you were served divorce papers, then it is in your best interest to consult with your own attorney as soon as possible. Divorce cases are inevitably complex and it is imperative that you have a skilled attorney take a look at the divorce papers that were served to you to ensure that your best interests are accounted for. 

Divorce can have life-long ramifications, which is why it is always best to consult with a lawyer who can explain to you your rights and responsibilities. Additionally, having a skilled lawyer on your side is important so he and she can advocate on your behalf and fight for the best possible results for you and your family.

Do you and your spouse have children together?

If you and your spouse have children (under 18 years old) together, it is important that certain factors such as child custody (both legal and physical) and child support are determined. Certain things like legal custody, which include your child’s health, education, and welfare, as well as physical custody, which includes where your child will live and the amount of custody will need to be determined. In addition, child support will need to be determined. All of these factors are of paramount importance to your child’s well being and if you and your spouse cannot come to an agreement, then it is imperative that you hire a family lawyer to protect your child’s best interests.

Do you and your spouse agree on alimony?

Alimony, otherwise known as spousal support, is a payment arrangement that involves the higher-earning spouse giving payment to a lower-earning or unemployed spouse for a certain amount of time.

Depending on the amount of time that you and your spouse were married can determine how long alimony must be given. Additionally, the amount of alimony is determined based on a number of factors. If you and your spouse cannot agree on alimony, then it is always best to consult with a family lawyer.

Do you and your spouse agree on how to divide assets and debts?

Marital property, including property, assets, and debts must be divided in some way in a divorce. For some cases, this can be tricky and a highly contentious matter, especially if there are a lot of assets or debts involved. It is best to consult with an attorney about property division to ensure that your best interests are protected.

Contact a Family Lawyer at LLM Family Law

At LLM Family Law, our team is highly experienced and skilled in providing clients with excellent advocacy and representation in divorce cases. If you are in need of a reliable family lawyer in Los Angeles, contact LLM Family Law for the help you need and deserve.