When to Get a Lawyer for Divorce

Start your search for a divorce attorney by seeking personal recommendations from friends or family who have gone through the process themselves. In addition, identify your needs and goals so you can select an attorney who will provide tailored representation.

Consider factors like communication style, fee structure and approach to alternative dispute resolution methods.

1. If Your Spouse Has Changed His or Her Mind

At times, couples who are divorcing realize they no longer want to part ways after all. If this occurs before finalization of the divorce is completed, filing a motion to dismiss can save both time and money – it will require one spouse who filed divorce papers to acknowledge awareness of these proceedings before agreeing to reconcile with their partner.

If either of you has experienced a change of heart and wants to remain married, consulting with a family law attorney might be in order. An attorney can help identify whether the source of problems can be overcome through mediation or counseling sessions.

If it’s too late to do that, another option would be convincing the judge to reopen your case – typically this only works in extreme situations such as fraud during settlement negotiations.

2. If You Have a Child

With children involved, divorce issues tend to become more complicated. Divorce lawyers can help manage issues such as custody, visitation, child support and property division.

Lawyers can also assist couples in crafting separation agreements or filing for a divorce in court. If negotiations between spouses fail, your case will need to be heard by a judge who will make decisions regarding spousal support, child support payments and asset distribution.

If your spouse has children, the judge will likely bring in mental health experts and a guardian ad litem to give their opinions about what would be in the best interest of your kids. Your attorney can assist in providing evidence to support your side of the story while protecting them from harm; mediation or alternative dispute resolution methods may be used as well to lessen conflict and keep children out of the middle. The goal should always be keeping children out of your conflict situation.

3. If You Have a High-Conflict Spouse

If both parties involved can reach an agreement on most details related to their divorce, including child custody, support payments, property division and prenuptial agreements, it may be possible to handle it yourself without needing an attorney. If there are disagreements on major issues though, hiring one will often be beneficial.

Numerous factors can contribute to high-conflict divorce proceedings, including domestic violence, financial abuse, mental health issues, substance abuse issues, threats, resentment and narcissism.

An attorney can assist in helping to avoid or reduce high-conflict situations during your divorce proceedings by employing strategies like focusing on specific events and asking questions rather than levelling accusations, using tools like mediation for productive discussions and working towards finding a resolution that benefits both parties – be that via settlement or trial; however contested divorces tend to take longer and cost more.

4. If You Have Assets

Divorce can be an emotional journey, so it is crucial that you take steps to safeguard your finances throughout the divorce process. Seek legal advice as soon as possible so your best interests are being represented during this critical stage.

No matter the value or circumstances surrounding your divorce settlement, hiring an experienced divorce attorney such as Ksenia Rudyuk of Rudyuk Law Firm should be top of your agenda. She will work tirelessly on your behalf to make sure you can obtain what’s owed to you from it.

As part of their efforts in their divorce proceeding, spouses can sometimes attempt to conceal assets or debt during a separation or divorce. Some may refuse to disclose bank accounts while others might shift money abroad into trusts. Other popular tactics may involve transferring property or using assets as payment on loans and debts that didn’t exist before. If you suspect your partner of hiding anything or trying to defraud you in any way, immediately consult an attorney.