Ten Things To Think About Before Calling A Divorce Lawyer

Filing for divorce is a major decision in your life and you may feel overwhelmed about how to start the process. Deciding when to get a divorce lawyer involved can paralyze some people with fear. Before taking action, you may ask yourself, “What should I think about before calling a divorce attorney?”

At the law offices of Kristopher K. Greenwood, we have had many clients who were unsure about the questions they should answer before calling our firm. We compiled this top 10 list to answer our clients’ questions so that they can feel confident before taking action. If you want immediate help with your divorce filing, you can speak with a skilled layer by calling (801) 475-8800.

Ten Things To Think About Before Calling A Divorce Lawyer

Here are 10 things you can ask yourself before calling a divorce attorney:

1. What do I own? Determining what you and your spouse own is an important step when figuring out how assets will be split in a divorce. Utah family courts divide assets between spouses equitably, which does not necessarily mean a 50/50 split.
2. What is best for my kids? For divorcing spouses with children, creating a child custody agreement will be part of their divorce. Whether you determine child custody in negotiations or in the family court, the focus will always be on what is in best interests of the child.
3. How much will it cost to take care of my kids? The cost of caring for your children can include child care fees, the price of health insurance and many other expenses. Having a realistic idea of the amount of money you need to take care of your children can help you get a fair child support agreement.
4. What are my debts? In addition to splitting assets, marital debts can also be split in a divorce. You should get a clear idea of your shared marital debts to plan for your financial future.
5. Do I have a prenuptial agreement? A prenuptial agreement can influence asset division, alimony and many other divorce issues. You should check what your prenuptial agreement covers.
6. Do I have business holdings? In a divorce, spouses may split business ownership like other assets. Determining the value of a business can be a complex problem without the help of a knowledgeable business divorce lawyer.
7. Did I stay home to take care of my children? One spouse may have sacrificed their career or education to take care of their kids. Stay-at-home moms and dads may be able to get alimony as part of their divorce.
8. Did domestic violence occur? People who experience domestic violence should immediately contact a lawyer to protect themselves and their children. Domestic violence can affect many aspects of a divorce, including child custody.
9. Was my spouse unfaithful? Besides the emotional damage that infidelity can cause, it can also play a role in a divorce filing. Adultery is one of many factors a judge uses when determining alimony.
10. Does my spouse have a professional degree? One overlooked aspect of a divorce is the valuation of a professional degree. If you contributed to your spouse obtaining a degree, a judge may take that into account when dividing assets.

You Don’t Have To Answer These Questions Alone

Our law firm can help you answer these questions and take the first step in your divorce. Our Ogden offices represent divorcing spouses in Salt Lake City and across Utah. We will fight to get you the best possible outcome for your divorce.

You can set up your consultation at our firm by calling (801) 475-8800. You can also send us your case details by using the contact form.