A good divorce attorney is an ally that will be a big part of your team as you move through this difficult process. But what exactly can you expect from your lawyer? Most Americans entering into a contract with a divorce attorney aren’t always sure what the lawyer’s role is, even as they depend on this person. If you fall into this category, keep in mind these five key contributions.
1. Your Attorney Will Craft a Plan
The end goal is a successful divorce, but there must be a strategy to reach that goal. This is where the divorce lawyer steps up to the plate. Their job is to look at your particular situation, assess the obstacles, respond to those obstacles, and know what it takes to reach the goal.
This game plan could be simple, such as outlining the various time tables involved in completing steps in the process. Or it could be a more thorough proposal that includes ways to accomplish specific steps like valuing your business or finding your spouse’s hidden assets.
2. Your Attorney Will Communicate
You aren’t likely to need to talk to your divorce lawyer every day, but you also shouldn’t be left wondering what’s going on with your case. A good lawyer will keep their clients updated regularly through phone calls, emails, and letters as well as in-person meetings. The types and frequency of these communications will depend on what stage your divorce is in and how much you want to be involved.
3. Your Attorney Will Assign Homework
While your lawyer will do a lot of the work involved in reaching the right conclusion, you will also contribute in ways that no one else can replace. This mainly focuses on documents only you have access to as well as personal accounts.
Common divorce homework you are likely to receive includes finding and providing verification of unusual income or expenses (such as business income) or gathering statements from your financial accounts. The legal team may also ask you to personally document important information, like time spent with the children or what you contribute to the family business.
4. Your Attorney Will Make Wise Use of Resources
Accounts of astronomical prices and unscrupulous divorce attorneys can be scary, but they shouldn’t be taken as fact. In fact, divorce lawyers are legal professionals who work for their clients’ best interests rather than running up bills just because they can.
If your lawyer recognizes that your divorce can be made simple, they will work with you to accomplish that if you want it. And if they can keep your bill reasonable by using paralegals or other less expensive methods, they’ll do so. But if you have a particular ‘line in the sand’, your attorney will also help focus your money and energy on the resolution of that particular subject.
5. Your Attorney Will Adjust to Your Needs
Each divorce is unique, so the divorce attorney adjusts their response to provide the best for each client. A client who is going through an amicable divorce without kids in the mix might be willing and able to work through some of the common issues like asset division directly with their spouse. In this case, the lawyer might step back and let the client do more of the leg work.
But a client who is leaving an abusive or manipulative spouse might need their lawyer to serve as more of a go-between and handle all communications. In this case, the lawyer would likely be more involved at all levels of the proceedings, taking an active role to spare their client.
Now that you know what you can expect from your lawyer, are you ready to learn more about the divorce process? Start by meeting with Randall A. Wolff & Associates, Ltd. We can answer your questions and explain what you will experience working with our team to find the best outcome for your particular divorce. Call today for an appointment.
