Being served with legal papers to initiate a divorce can be traumatizing and emotional and comes with many legal details. It’s a complex journey right off the bat. You’ll need a divorce custody lawyer to help you navigate this intricate phase of your life.
Aside from the dissolution of your marriage, you’ll need help with various issues, such as child custody, spousal support, and property division. You may be entitled to a divorce care package to cushion you during the life of the divorce case. Other than the formalities of the case and documents, a divorce information sheet is often attached to the legal documentation.
This essential document stipulates clear procedures and the obligatory requirements before a divorce is finalized. It can help you answer questions such as; “if I get a divorce after 5 years what am I entitled to”? This is a crucial question, and in answering it, include all assets, rights, and alimony as part of what you’re entitled to as a spouse.
You also need to understand divorce language. Deciphering it and the implications it has is vital, so you can make informed decisions. Divorce is a brutal process requiring mental and emotional fortitude, compensation guidance, and adequate legal knowledge.
So you’ve been served. Whether it was a complete shock, or a long time coming, most people feel a complex mix of emotions when holding divorce papers in their hands for the first time. When the fog of feels starts to clear, you’ll probably be left with one thought, “Now what?”
And we don’t mean in life, we mean in your now inevitable divorce. Well, here are three concrete steps you can take right away.
1. Look Down
On your divorce papers, there will be a deadline for response to the petition of divorce. Before you do anything else, make sure you know exactly how much time you have to respond. No matter how you’re feeling, make plans to meet the deadline.
2. Get Support
Divorces are messy, because you know what they say about a “house divided against itself.” After getting served with divorce papers, don’t waste any time in reaching out for support. And we don’t mean liquid courage, we mean the support of close friends and family who can be there for you in the days to come. If you have anyone close to you that’s already been through a divorce, reach out for help and advice.
3. Finances
If the divorce papers came as a surprise to you, then odds are your spouse has already done a thorough investigation of your household’s finances. No matter the circumstances surrounding your divorce, it is absolutely essential that you start painting a clear financial picture as soon as possible. No excuses, going through your finances right away.
4. List of Questions To Ask Divorce Attorney at Initial Consultation
After you draw up a list of finances, you should draw up a list of questions to ask your divorce lawyer. You don’t have to find legal representation overnight, and in fact you should do a lot of research before making a decision, but start making a list.