Divorce Attorneys

What do Divorce Attorneys do?

At the initial appointment with your divorce attorney, you will sit down face to face and discuss together the issues that are most important to you concerning a potential divorce, an ongoing divorce case, a child support issue, financial disputes in your divorce case or other family law matters. Your divorce attorney will then provide choices, possible alternatives and possible solutions for your problem, along with your chances of success given any particular course of action you should choose.

A divorce case does not always have to be a combative experience. Even when the issues are complex, your future is at stake and emotions are running high, an experienced divorce lawyer will protect your legal rights while avoiding unnecessary conflict and heartache as much as possible.

A court of law is the only way in which one can obtain a divorce decree, dissolution, legal separation, nullity, or other form of terminating a marriage. Other than the termination of the marital estate, the court also has jurisdiction to resolve other issues that are intertwined in the existing marriage which include, but are not limited to: custody and visitation rights, division of property of the marital estate, spousal support, child support, restraining orders, etc. An experienced divorce attorney has the commitment and skill to help you through every phase of your divorce case.

Can a divorce action be stopped by one of the spouses?

A no-fault divorce can't be stopped by a spouse because objecting to the other spouse's petition for divorce is itself an irreconcilable difference that would justify the divorce. However, a spouse could potentially stop a fault divorce by either convincing the court that he/she was not at fault or by using any of the following defenses.

1. Condonation - implied approval of another's activities by treating the person as though the offense were never committed.
2. Connivance - setting up a situation so that the other person commits a wrongdoing.
3. Provocation - inciting of another to do a certain act.
4. Collusion - secret agreement or cooperation between the spouses designed to deceive the judge.

Should I hire a Divorce Attorney?

It is ordinarily a good idea to consult with a family law attorney about any major life event or change, such as a contested or uncontested divorce, adoption of a child or placement of a child for adoption, child abuse matters, child support modifications, child visitation and custody, being accused of or a victim of domestic violence, elder law, juvenile law, probate or other major family law issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How Do I File For Divorce?
  Filing for divorce is like initiating any other civil lawsuit – you must first file papers at the courthouse (a “Complaint”).  Many states have the necessary forms available … more
• What Exactly Does It Mean To Be Divorced?
  If you are divorced it means that a judge has signed a “dissolution of marriage” declaring that you are no longer legally married to your spouse.  Just as getting married is a … more
• What Is The Difference Between a "Fault" and a "No Fault" Divorce?
  A “no fault” divorce is one where the spouse filing for divorce does not have to prove that the other spouse did something wrong. All states allow divorces regardless of who is at … more
• How Long Does It Take To Get Divorced?
  This is really a two-part question.  Most states require a certain period of time to pass between the filing of the initial paperwork and the issuance of a Judgment of Dissolution (the … more
• My Husband And I Do Not Make Much Money And We Really Dont Own Anything Of Much Value – Is There A Simplified Way For Us To Get Divorced?
  It depends.  Some states offer a simplified version of divorce that may be available to you.  In the states that do, it is usually required that you and your husband have been married for … more