Everyone hopes their marriage will last forever. But the sad truth is that many marriages don’t make it that long and end in divorce. A divorce case, which generally is filed in a family court, also means resolving issues with your spouse such as:
When a divorce action is initiated, it may be brought by either or both parties and may be contested or uncontested. When both spouses desire the divorce and are able to come to an agreement on the relevant issues, they may obtain an uncontested divorce, which allows them to proceed through the court process far more easily and quickly than when there are unresolved issues. These uncontested divorces are the most common.
A smaller group of married couples, though, are unable or unwilling to reach an agreement with regard to the termination of their marriage and the ensuing issues. These contested divorces take a great deal longer, make it necessary to retain legal counsel, and usually require judicial intervention to come to a conclusion and obtain orders regarding the relevant issues.
While divorce may be common, when you go through it yourself, you still deserve dedicated, personal focus on your rights and unique situation.
A divorce attorney can also protect your interests even if you are considering settling rather than going to trial. While some states may have divorce forms you can access online, they may not be appropriate in all situations and an experienced attorney can assist and draft appropriate documents. Knowing your legal rights is always a good idea when going through a divorce. An experienced divorce lawyer can help you figure out the best way forward, explain the law, and represent you in court if it is necessary.