Family Lawyar
Going through a divorce is extremely challenging. At the start of the process, you might not know what to expect, and it’s likely that you’ll have a lot of questions. Today, we’ll have a closer look at how divorce works, what it might cost, and why you need to hire a highly competent family law lawyer.
Ask a Family Law Lawyer: 5 Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Long Will My Divorce Take?
A standard divorce might take around 11 months, but if you and your spouse can’t come to an agreement without a trial, you should expect a more drawn-out process. In fact, cases that go to court take 18 months on average. Fortunately, there are various things you can do to speed up your divorce. Firstly, you should hire a highly qualified divorce attorney who has experience with similar cases.
This professional will be able to put together the necessary evidence quickly and efficiently, so there won’t be any delays. Additionally, you should consider if you can come to an agreement with your spouse through mediation or arbitration. The more items you and your former partner agree on, the less time it will take for your divorce papers to be finalized.
2. How Expensive Is a Divorce?
Most experts estimate that the average divorce costs between $10,000 and $15,000. However, everything depends on your individual situation. You might have to spend more money if you have children, own a lot of assets such as businesses or property, or can’t come to an amicable agreement with your spouse. On the flip side, Family Lawyer your divorce will be cheaper the fewer contested items there are.
Because fighting with your spouse and going to court is so expensive, many lawyers advise you to settle matters privately. If you can agree on important matters without a dispute, the divorce might only cost $3,000-4,000.
3. What Happens if We Cannot Agree on Child Custody?
Determining child custody is one of the most challenging issues during a divorce. In most cases, shared custody is the best way to go because it allows both parents to build up a relationship with their children. But the court will always act in favor of the child, so one person might be favored if there is a history of abuse or neglect.
Although around 90% of child custody cases are resolved amicably, one parent sometimes doesn’t want the other to have access to the children. Generally, this is only considered an option if the other parent has severe mental health issues, is likely to endanger the child, or has struggled with Family Lawyer substance abuse in the past. If the child in question is over the age of 11, their Family Lawyer wishes might also be a factor.º
4. What Is Mediation and How Can It Benefit Me?
Many of Atlanta’s top family law attorneys believe that mediation is an easier and more efficient way of settling matters than a court case. Because the courts in Georgia are so busy, it is now mandatory for you and your spouse to attend mediation sessions if you can’t agree on issues related to your divorce. This can be beneficial for all parties because it allows you to save both money and time.
Additionally, the Family Lawyer mediation process is much less stressful for the whole family. Instead of fighting with your spouse, you will be working together to come up with a solution that works for everyone. In many cases, such a strategy can lead to a superior outcome. In fact, studies have shown that people are less likely to breach the terms of an agreement that was reached by a Family Lawyer through mediation.
5. How Can I Protect My Family from Domestic Violence?
It is estimated that around 10 million Americans suffer from domestic violence each year. If you’ve been harassed or injured by your partner, you shouldn’t stay silent, especially since there are strict laws in Georgia that can protect you and your family from further harm. With the help of your attorneys, you could get the court to issue a protective order. This stops the abuser from spending time in your home, seeing your children, or harming you in any way.
Although the legal system can be slow, a good lawyer can help you obtain a temporary ex parte order, which protects you while your case is pending. That way, you don’t have to worry that you will be assaulted, stalked, or restrained while the court is processing your request for a more permanent protective order. Once you’ve been granted legal protection, the abuser may face a $10,000 fine and up to 10 years in jail if they harm you again.
If you’re about to go through a divorce, you might wonder how long it might take, what happens during mediation, and how you can make sure you get a fair custody agreement. Although there are general answers that can give you an idea of what to expect, every divorce is different, so there isn’t a universally applicable answer to most questions. To find out more, you’ll need to speak to a competent family law lawyer in your local area.
