what can a divorce lawyer do for me

The next thing that a divorce lawyer will do is help you file the necessary paperwork with the court. This is perhaps one of the most valuable things a divorce lawyer can do for you. The number of documents that need to be filed can be overwhelming, and a lawyer can help you ensure that all the paperwork is in order.

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What does it take to become a divorce lawyer?

Becoming a divorce lawyer takes seven years of formal higher education, including a four-year bachelor’s degree and a three-year law degree. Read on to learn more about required education, skills and career statistics. Is becoming a lawyer difficult? 1. The challenging years of law school. The process of becoming a lawyer isn’t for the ...

What does a divorce lawyer actually do?

What Do Lawyers Do?

• Family Law Attorneys. In family law, attorneys may devote significant attention to negotiating divorce agreements or handling adoption proceedings.
• Criminal Defense Attorney. ...
• Personal Injury Attorney. ...

What to look for in a good divorce attorney?

You need someone who can take the following actions on your behalf:

• Review the circumstances surrounding your divorce and how state laws are likely to apply;
• File the appropriate legal documents with the court and respond to any pleadings you receive from your spouse;
• Appear by your side at divorce-related hearings, making effective legal arguments on your behalf;

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What are good questions to ask a divorce lawyer?

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How should a woman prepare for divorce?

9 Critical Steps Women Should Take To Prepare For DivorceGather your financial records. ... Open a Post Office Box. ... Start putting money away for legal and other professional fees. ... Open a new checking and savings account. ... Open new credit cards in your name only. ... Get a copy of your credit report.

How do you play dirty in a divorce?

Top 10 Dirtiest Divorce TricksServing Papers with the Intent to Embarrass. You're angry with your spouse, and you want to humiliate him or her. ... Taking Everything. ... Canceling Credit Cards. ... Clearing Our Your Bank Accounts. ... Starving Out the Other Spouse. ... Refusing to Cooperate. ... Jeopardizing Employment. ... Meddling in an Affair.More items...•

How do you fight a narcissist in a divorce?

Divorcing a NarcissistDon't Even THINK That Your Divorce Will Be Amicable. ... Get a Strong, but Reasonable, Divorce Lawyer. ... Get a Therapist. ... Assemble Your Support Team BEFORE You Divorce. ... Get EVERYTHING in Writing! ... Stay Out of Court as Much as You Can. ... Find Ways Your Narcissistic Spouse Can “Win” ... Pick Your Battles Wisely.More items...

What should you not do during separation?

5 Mistakes To Avoid During Your SeparationKeep it private. The second you announce you're getting a divorce, everyone will have an opinion. ... Don't leave the house. ... Don't pay more than your share. ... Don't jump into a rebound relationship. ... Don't put off the inevitable.

What do you do when your spouse is a lawyer?

communicating with your spouse’s attorney (or directly with your self-represented spouse) and anyone else involved in the case. reviewing documents and performing research. discovery (such as requesting documents or other information and conducting depositions) drafting settlement agreements.

Why does divorce take so long?

There are several reasons divorces can take a long time, including the number and type of contested issues, combative spouses (or attorneys), the amount of time needed to gather evidence about things like complex finances or custody issues, and whether you go to trial.

How long does it take for an attorney to bill you?

Attorneys generally bill you (usually increments of six to 15 minutes ) for everything they do in connection with your case, including: every communication you have with them (whether by phone, text, or email), from quick status phone calls to dealing with your email about who gets the Instapot.

Do divorce attorneys charge by the hour?

Divorce attorneys almost always charge by the hour, rather than a flat fee, because every divorce case is unique. Even if your situation looks similar on the surface to another couple’s (a two-income household with two kids and a home owned together), it doesn’t mean your case will turn out the same way.

Can an attorney predict how much work will take?

Because of this, attorneys can’t predict how much work your case will take. However, our survey results on total costs (discussed below) can give you a general idea of what other people paid their lawyers overall, and how certain factors affected those fees.

Can a divorce judge order a spouse to pay for attorney fees?

Sharing Legal Fees in Divorces. In most states, family law judges may order one spouse to pay for part of the other spouse’s attorneys’ fees, especially when there’s a big difference in their incomes and one spouse needs the help in order to have an equal playing field.

What should an attorney tell you about a case?

Throughout your case, your attorney should give you some sense of whether the law supports your position. No attorney worth her weight will guarantee you a victory, but a knowledgeable lawyer should be able to tell you whether there is a basis for your position and what is likely to happen if the case is tried.

Why can't my lawyer say when things will happen?

Maybe your lawyer can't say when things will happen because too much depends on what the other side wants; still, she should have a general idea of how the case will proceed from your side given any number of scenarios. One matrimonial lawyer tells us that clients often seek her out for a second opinion on their case.

How long does it take for a lawyer to call you back?

If the court hands down any decisions regarding your case, your lawyer should notify you at once. Your attorney should return your calls within 24 hours unless there's some reason why that's impossible—for instance, if she's in court or in the middle of a trial.

How long does it take for a lawyer to respond to a letter?

Copies of letters should be sent to you within 24 hours of the lawyer's receipt. He or she should notify you about important phone calls—those concerning settlement proposals, for instance—as soon as possible.

Do you need an expert to testify in custody?

Maybe custody will be an issue, and you'll need an expert to testify on your behalf. In some jurisdictions, the judge will appoint an expert to report to the court, but you still might need someone to support your case. Your lawyer should start getting you the names of qualified people.

Do matrimonial lawyers seek second opinions?

One matrimonial lawyer tells us that clients often seek her out for a second opinion on their case. The most frequent complaint: their case has no direction, they see no end in sight, and it seems like they're always responding to their spouse's action with no overriding plan of their own.

De La Cruz & Cutler, LLP

Jeff Cutler is a native Miamian, attending local public schools before graduating with honors from the University of Florida School of Business Admin... Read More istration (BSBA, Finance) and receiving his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida School of Law in 1982.

LegalShield (pre-paid Legal Service)

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The Campbell Law Group PA

The Campbell Law Group prides itself on being a friendly and honest, “boutique” law firm in Coral Gables. We specialize in both Family and Corp... Read More

The Walton Law Firm, PLLC

The law is the most valuable when it prevents people, familes, businesses and communities are protected from wrongful actions and from suffering inju... Read More

Law Offices Of Hena Rodely, P.A

I'm a fully bilingual family law and real estate attorney with 16 years of experience practicing in South Florida. I offer free consultation and hand... Read More s-on service.

The Turner Myers Firm

For the past five years, I worked for a major law firm in Miami-Dade. In my tenure at the firm, I practiced in the following areas: Family Law,... Read More

The SG Law Firm PLLC

We are attorney who Establish, Maintain, Protect and Defend Businesses and Families. We have unwavering integrity.

Personal Information

1. Your basic information: full name, date of birth, and social security number.

Financial Information

29. A list of all joint and separate bank accounts, savings accounts, C.D.’s, Credit Union accounts, Savings Bonds and Stocks and Mutual Funds.