What Questions Should I Ask a Divorce Attorney? 

Considering getting a divorce? Here are some questions you should ask a divorce attorney:

(Family Law Missoula Attorneys at S. DeBoer Attorney at Law are committed to helping you face your family legal matters with expert legal assistance.)

Question to ask a divorce attorney 

Before you begin a divorce, it’s critical to gather all the documents you and your spouse have. Gather copies of all the accounts, joint, and individual. The primary account holder should be listed, as should the balance. Gather all personal and financial information, including credit card balances, mortgages, and other debts. If your spouse has owned a business, ask about the current state of that business and any recent appraisals. 

In addition to determining the level of expertise needed to successfully navigate a divorce case, you’ll want to be sure your attorney is on the same page as you. For example, if you want to go through mediation, you’ll want to be sure your attorney wants to do so as well. However, if you want to go to trial, your attorney must be also on the same page. 

Cost of a divorce 

The cost of a divorce is high, but it doesn’t stop there. The divorce process also involves many other costs, such as alimony payments, dividing a household, and financial ramifications. However, these costs can be minimized by finding ways to streamline the divorce process. Here are a few ways to reduce the cost of a divorce. One of the best ways is to work out a settlement that’s acceptable to both parties. 

The average cost of a divorce depends on several factors, including the complexity of the case. For example, couples with short marriages and no children usually spend the least, with an average total cost of $3,500. The most expensive divorces, however, are those with a lot of assets and contested issues. Divorce attorneys can add up to thousands of dollars to your bill, so you should budget accordingly. However, if you and your spouse have an agreement on all the important issues, your divorce will be completed much faster. 

Power-control issues in a divorce case 

While both spouses may be entitled to an equal share of financial resources, it is important to consider how much control they have over specific areas of married life. When one spouse has far more control than the other, the result is a power imbalance. This may be a result of extreme differences in personality, education, health, profession, or accomplishments. By addressing power-control issues early in the process, you can avoid putting one spouse at a disadvantage when it comes to making decisions. 

Financial abuse is another common source of power-control issues in a divorce case. In such a scenario, one spouse tries to use the money to control the other. The abuser may frighten or intimidate the victim into doing something. Children may also be involved in this kind of abuse. In any event, financial abuse should be addressed as soon as it is discovered. In this situation, witnesses should be found to corroborate the abuse. 

Alcohol abuse issues in a divorce case 

If you suspect that your spouse is a substance abuser, you may need to address the problem during your divorce proceedings. Fortunately, California has no-fault divorce laws, which means the courts may consider substance abuse during the divorce process. However, the abuse of alcohol or drugs can be difficult to disclose and prove. In such a case, it may be necessary to hire a divorce lawyer. The following are tips on how to handle alcohol abuse issues during your divorce. 

Substance abuse may also affect child custody and visitation rights. Courts consider the best interests of the child in custody decisions, and if the abuser has a history of substance abuse, the court may change his or her custody arrangement. If a child is involved, the sober parent is more likely to be awarded primary or sole custody. The court may also modify the custody order if the substance abuser is a danger to the children.