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5 Ways a Divorce Lawyer Can Save You Time and Money

Divorce is common, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.

The divorce process is stressful and emotional, and litigation can take up a considerable chunk of your time and money.

The good news is that you don’t have to go at it alone. In fact, you’re better off with a lawyer.

If you’re facing a potentially complex divorce and are nervous about the cost of a lengthy court process, a Miami divorce attorney may be able to help.

Here are five ways hiring an experienced divorce lawyer pays off in the long run.

#1. Negotiation is More Effective with a Divorce Lawyer

The most expensive and time-consuming portion of divorce comes from settling conflicts and disputes. These struggles often involve child custody, spousal support, and the division of marital assets.

A knowledgeable divorce attorney will ensure that:

• Motions and conflicts brought by the other spouse or their attorney are addressed quickly and productively
• The terms offered in divorce settlement negotiations support your wishes and are reasonable enough to avoid disagreements.
• Tactics are implemented to move the process forward instead of locking up discussions in conflict.

First and foremost, an experienced divorce lawyer will listen to your wishes and priorities when it comes to the terms of your divorce. Then, they’ll efficiently negotiate a marital settlement agreement that works for both parties and saves everyone time and money.

#2. Divorce Documents are Handled by a Professional

The most common Florida divorce documents include:

1. Divorce petitions
2. Financial affidavits
3. Custody arrangements and parenting plans
4. Marital property division agreements

When it comes to filing the paperwork, complexities in a divorce can create a big headache.

If paperwork is written with improper language or filed incorrectly, the best-case scenario is that you could end up losing time and money on re-filing the divorce documents. The worst-case scenario is you could commit to divorce terms you didn’t intend.

An experienced attorney can complete and file divorce documents on your behalf to ensure they follow legal requirements while meeting your expectations for the divorce.

#3. Parenting Plans are Designed to Work for Everyone

One of a divorce’s most complex and emotional aspects often involves child custody.

Florida divorce laws primarily consider the child’s best interest when determining child custody, known as “parental responsibility.” Florida courts will default to a shared parental responsibility model unless issues impact the child’s safety or welfare.

Your divorce lawyer will be able to examine your parenting situation and fight for your parental rights to ensure you get the parenting time and decision-making abilities you deserve.

#4. Child Support and Alimony are Negotiated Fairly

Support orders—child support or spousal support—are issued after considering various factors.

The courts consider both parents’ income and the agreed-upon parenting time plan for child support payments.

Alimony payments depend on whether the receiving spouse needs support and whether the paying spouse can pay it.

Expert divorce attorneys can dig into the financial aspects of the marital relationship using connections like financial experts to negotiate a fair settlement that ensures spouses and children are all supported post-divorce.

#5. Assets and Property are Combed Through with Expert Hands

The financial expert connections divorce attorneys have will also come in handy when it’s time to dig into the division of marital assets and the property of the marital estate.

Florida is not a community property state that simply splits assets down the middle in a divorce. Instead, Florida uses an equitable distribution model for marital property division.

This means that property is divided fairly instead of equally, and there’s much more work involved in determining which property and assets should be divided and how to divide them equitably.

Many assets build up throughout the marriage that you may not think of, particularly in divorce cases where the couple has a high net worth or the marriage was lengthy.

Some of the most common assets often overlooked in a divorce include:

• Each spouse’s pension and retirement accounts
• Stocks, bonds, and mutual funds
• Frequent flier miles and rewards points
• Valuable belongings like jewelry, collectibles, and art

Most divorce lawyers can also call on their network of financial experts to advise you regarding the financial consequences—like the tax implications of splitting your assets or expected inflation rates—that could impact your divorce settlement agreement.

How to Find Peace of Mind During Divorce

Divorce is never easy, but it doesn’t have to break you.

If you’re facing a stressful and emotional divorce, or if you expect your divorce to be highly complex, you need an experienced Miami Divorce Attorney in your corner. By building a solid attorney-client relationship, your divorce attorney will help to mitigate loss and get you what you’re entitled to in your divorce agreement.