Whether you're getting a divorce or considering one, finding the right lawyer can be a challenge. You want to find someone who's skilled at saving your money, enhancing the terms of your settlement, and keeping you out of court whenever possible.
The best way to go about this is to interview your top choices and get a feel for how they work. Ask them about their approach to divorce cases, how long they've been practicing, and what they charge.
Child custody
Child custody is one of the most difficult and emotionally charged issues a divorcing couple faces. Both parents want to ensure their children are well taken care of.
The question is, how do you do that?
There are two main types of custody - physical custody and legal custody. Each type of custody has its own set of laws and is handled differently.
Property division
Property division is one of the most challenging aspects of divorce law. It can be difficult to split shared ownership of a home in a fair way, particularly in long-term marriages.
When dividing property in a divorce, courts will typically assign each spouse a percentage of the total value of all marital assets and minus their debts. Judges will then distribute those assets and debts based on a formula that is designed to be equitable (fair) under the circumstances.
This formula is not always easy to determine, especially in high-asset cases or those involving a great deal of varied property. That's why it's essential to have a Family lawyer near me on your side who knows how to evaluate all of your assets and make sure that they are properly valued for property distribution purposes.

In addition to valuing your physical assets, your property division lawyer will also make sure that you are fully disclosing all of your financial assets and liabilities. This includes a full list of your current and former sources of income, along with paycheck stubs and tax returns.
Family debt
A couple can run up a lot of debt during a marriage. This includes credit card debt, mortgages, student loans, and car payments.
The way a court divides family debt depends on many different factors. The division of debt is usually referred to as equitable distribution, which means that a judge considers all relevant issues and is supposed to distribute things "equitably."
This can be a confusing process for people who don't have much experience with debt and divorce. It is important to speak with a qualified lawyer who can help you understand the law and deal with your specific situation.
The laws regarding how debt is divided vary from state to state, so it is essential to know which one applies to your situation. For example, some states follow community property law, while others use equitable division.
Spousal support
Spousal support is often ordered to help a financially dependent spouse get back on their feet after a divorce. The court considers many factors when determining how much and for how long support should be paid.
In addition to direct payments, an ex-spouse may also be required to make third-party payments like health care coverage or mortgage payment. These payments are often referred to as maintenance and can be especially valuable in cases where one spouse is unable to make their own financial support because of a disability or health condition that makes it difficult for them to earn an income.
For a court to award spousal support, it must be in the best interests of the spouses. This can be determined through an assessment of the unique situations of the parties and how the recipient has been affected by their marriage.