You probably already know that getting divorced comes with a lot of legal paperwork. Hiring an attorney can make sure that you fill out all the right paperwork properly.
But it turns out that a good divorce attorney does a lot more than just fill out paperwork. A trusted divorce lawyer advocates for your interests and supports you throughout the process by providing additional support.
They Can Facilitate Communications Between You and Your Ex-Spouse
Talking to your ex-spouse during a divorce can be painful and difficult. It isn’t uncommon for conversations to devolve into yelling, crying, and screaming, with no resolution reached.
A divorce attorney can help by facilitating communication between you and your ex-spouse. They can provide mediation services that will help you reach an agreement that you can both be happy about.
They also show you how to minimize conflict throughout the process. They give you the opportunity to talk to your former partner in a comfortable, safe, and understanding way that you can emulate during future dealings with each other, even if your attorney isn’t present.
They Can Help You Gain Clarity
It can be difficult to see through the hurt when you’re getting divorced. The reason for your separation is still fresh, which can cloud your judgment and make your situation seem more confusing than it really is.
A skilled attorney can help you focus on the things that matter most. They can help you let go and move into a more peaceful state of mind where you’re no longer determined to make decisions that are based in anger and resentment. They help you make decisions that reflect your best self, which are more likely to result in outcomes that you can live with for a lifetime.
They Can Help You Consider The Future
It’s hard not to get caught up in the present when you’re in the middle of a divorce. You will likely spend a lot of time thinking about the physical details, like who gets the house and what you are going to do with your wedding rings. However, it’s much more important to think about the impact your decisions will have on your future.
Your attorney can help you think realistically about things like alimony and what kind of custody arrangement is best. Not only when it comes to what’s best for the kids, but what’s best for both of you, so you don’t find yourself in court every few years disputing the custody arrangement.
Your attorney can help you make informed decisions about your future, even if you feel fixated on making sure your ex is stuck with the boat he insisted on buying.
They Can Help You Figure Out Your Assets
Divvying up assets is one of the most difficult parts of getting divorced. That’s especially true because some assets don’t come to mind as readily as others.
For example, you are probably already thinking about who is going to get the house and who is going to get which car, but there are many other assets that your attorney can make sure you think about too, like:
- Furniture
- Art
- Jewelry
- Business assets
- Computer equipment and electronics
- Pensions and retirement accounts
Your attorney will make sure that every single shared asset is identified, discussed, and properly divvied up so you never have to worry about your ex calling about their great-grandmother’s ring that they forgot you had.
They Can Help You With Debt
Most couples get hung up on dividing assets but forget that cars, furniture, and jewelry aren’t the only things that have to be divided. Debt has to be divided in a divorce too.
It isn’t always as simple as splitting the debt down the middle either. Say one spouse gets to keep the house; are they responsible for the rest of the debt on the house and the credit card? If your job pays more, does that automatically mean you shoulder more of the debt?
Talking through these points can be extremely tricky, especially if you’re trying to talk to your ex-spouse without help. An attorney can help you talk about your shared debt in a constructive way so that you can both reach an agreement you’re comfortable with.
They Can Explain the Legal Process
You can technically get divorced on your own, but navigating the legal process can be a nightmare. From figuring out what paperwork to fill out to how to file it properly to figuring out how long it’s going to take, it’s a complete nightmare to do it on your own.
An attorney has gone through the divorce process many times and knows exactly what to expect. Not only that, but they can translate legal jargon and clarify each step in the process. No matter what your question, an answer is only a phone call away, which can bring peace of mind during an otherwise stressful divorce.
They Listen
Loneliness is a real problem, but it’s especially difficult when you’re going through something that you don’t feel like anyone else understands. Divorce is an experience that can easily make you feel isolated and alone.
An attorney is there for you throughout the entire process. Although it can be difficult at first to divulge such personal information, by being open and honest, they truly get to understand your case and what you’re going through.
It’s true that they aren’t going to provide you with the same kind of support that you can get from a therapist, but having someone who truly understands your situation can do wonders for combating feelings of loneliness. It’s their job to listen to your concerns, your worries, your hopes, and your dreams, which can help you feel supported through an otherwise alienating process.
Hiring a divorce attorney is invaluable when it comes to filling out and filing paperwork, but a lawyer is worth much more than a few pieces of paper. Hire the right attorney and you’ll get all the support you need to emerge from your divorce stronger and more resilient than before.
