Divorce is a huge emotional journey that can take anywhere between 30 days and 24 months, depending on whether it is contested or not. For those on such a journey, this can be a very long and difficult time.
If you are currently going through a divorce, you may be wondering if there is anything you can do to make your divorce go more smoothly and that will help you achieve the best outcome possible. With that in mind, here is our best advice for anyone going through a divorce in Arkansas.
Make Sure That You Have The Right Lawyer
This means that if, for example, your divorce involves a sizable retirement account, you should be working with a lawyer who has experience with such accounts and how they are allocated in a divorce.
If you are a busy person, then it is important that you hire a lawyer who you can contact whenever you have the time. So, for example, , you may want to look for a lawyer whom is readily available, or who provides you with his or her personal phone number. Very often questions may arise after hours and it’s important that you have the ability to contact your divorce lawyer to get answers to important questions that are causing you stress at the time.
It is also important that you look at the expertise that your lawyer can bring to your case. If your divorce involves a business, then what forensic accountants can your lawyer hire? Does your lawyer have tax expert contacts? Sometimes, if the law firm has a good relationship with experts such as these, they can negotiate a good discount on their services.
Divorces can be upsetting and emotional for everyone involved. So, it is extremely important that you have the right lawyer and the right team involved who can get you through your divorce as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.
Listen to Your Lawyer
Your lawyer is experienced in what he or she does and will give you realistic and helpful advice. Though it may not be what you want to hear, a good divorce lawyer will always tell you what you need to hear.
If it’s helpful, ask your lawyer to explain why they are giving you the advice they are giving. Likewise, if you have questions to ask your lawyer, be sure to ask them.
Either way, think carefully about what your divorce lawyer says to you because he or she is there to help and advise you and has years of experience giving divorce advice to clients in similar, if not the same, circumstances.
Communicate With Your Spouse
Keep the lines of communication open with your spouse, especially if you have children. This is because you have been parenting together for years, and chances are, you will be parenting together after the divorce for many more years to come. So, you need to be able to communicate with each other effectively.
Your lawyers are there to advise you and to help you with more complex issues, like how marital assets will be split between the two of you. Lawyers are a very expensive way of resolving these minor disputes and you would be far better off dealing with these issues yourselves.
Be Honest
The family courts have been dealing with people being dishonest, evasive, and difficult for many years and they have seen every trick in the book. If you try to do something to beat the system and gain an advantage in your divorce, the chances are you will be caught.
Judges don’t like people who don’t play by the rules and if you are caught, this can influence how the judge rules in matters involving the distribution of your marital assets, child custody, child support, and spousal support. In other words, it can ruin any chance for a favorable outcome to your divorce.
Protect yourself Financially
Here is something you can begin to do before your divorce—get prepared and financially informed of your assets. Educate yourself by reviewing your tax forms, bill statements, and other financial documents. Compare income and expenses to tax forms. If there is a discrepancy, then ask yourself, “Where is the money?”
Although you may have good intentions when it comes to distributing your assets and liabilities equitably between you and your spouse, he or she may not have your best interest in mind. Don’t allow yourself to be vulnerable because you are unaware. Consult with your attorney about steps you can take to keep from incurring any added debt from your spouse while the divorce is occurring.
Doing so will give you peace-of-mind and prevent any surprises from popping up during your divorce. It will also allow you to focus on other things, such as child custody and other important issues.
Contact a Divorce Lawyer Near You
When going through a divorce, it is critical that you find a divorce attorney who is going to stand up for your needs and rights and ensure that you get what you deserve. We would love to help you.
We are dedicated to helping those who are going through a divorce and protecting their rights. You deserve a law firm that is professional and experienced. Contact Mann & Kemp today at 501-222-4730, or fill in our contact form here to request a consultation with one of our expert divorce attorneys. We look forward to hearing from you.