The most disheartening aspect of a divorce is that no one is ever truly prepared for one. On the day of their union, couples are filled with hope that their marriage will be the one that lasts. But as time progresses and life hurls problems their way, some people find themselves so unhappy that divorce, which was once an inconceivable option, now seems like the only suitable option.
The key to splitting quickly and with minimal financial issues is a good divorce lawyer. All too often, spouses seeking a divorce waste large amounts of money in an attempt to find the right lawyer for them. But they have yet to realize that the problem often lies in their unrealistic expectations or the fact that they simply do not know what they want. Hiring an attorney is an investment, and you must be certain about your decision and what you expect out of a legal professional to find the one that best accommodates you.
If you are contemplating hiring a divorce lawyer, below are a few questions you should ask yourself before making a choice.
What is my goal?
A divorce is essentially a process that will result in the dissolution of your marriage, and the mitigation of your child custody, property and asset arrangements. With this in mind, you should ask yourself what your ideal arrangement would be for each of these aspects of a divorce before hiring an attorney. This way, when consulting with several attorneys in your pursuit of the best one, you can find one whose experience and skill align with your interests.
Am I being realistic?
Once you have identified what you expect an attorney to help you achieve, it is time to take a step back and gauge if these goals are realistic. For example, you and your friends and family may think that you are the most responsible parent and that you deserve physical custody of your child, but that doesn't necessarily guarantee that a judge will. Or you may feel that you deserve a certain amount of spousal support, but a judge may feel otherwise. It's important that you consider all possible circumstances or factors that could be brought up in court and reassess your goals objectively.
Have I done everything I possibly can to repair this marriage?
The issues that you encounter while married may seem so difficult that you just want to throw in the towel. But divorce is a decision that should only be made after all else has failed. That includes couples therapy, mediation and other attempts that do not involve litigation to hash things out.
Determining whether or not a marriage is salvageable begins with self-examination. Nobody is perfect, and we all in some way have contributed to some of the problems we have. Acknowledging that you have a role in the difficulties you are facing with your partner does not mean that you are fully at fault, it simply means you are taking responsibility for your actions. Once you have truthfully and honestly identified your part in the dysfunction and accordingly change negative behaviors, it could make a world of a difference in your marriage.
Experienced North Carolina Divorce Attorneys
Getting a divorce in North Carolina is a legal process that you will need adequate legal advice to successfully navigate through. The attorneys at Caulder & Valentine have extensive experience handling divorce cases and are dedicated to meeting their clients' needs. Whether you wish to hire a legal professional for advice or to represent you throughout these processes, we are here to help. Contact us today for a consultation.
