Divorce is never easy, and it’s natural to have a lot of questions. After all, most of us never imagined being divorced when we got married. It’s always wise to ask questions of an experienced professional whenever you’re faced with a life-altering event, which divorce certainly is. A skilled divorce lawyer for women can help you understand what’s happening, what choices you need to make, and the best path forward for a successful and happy future.
Ask a Divorce Lawyer for Women: Four Frequently Asked Questions
My Husband Wants Us to Just Work With One Lawyer: Should I?
It’s not uncommon for husbands to suggest to their wives in a divorce that they share one lawyer. Usually, this is billed as a way to save money, and it’s also not unheard of a man to make threats in these situations: Use my lawyer or I’ll make this divorce as hard as possible. But you always need your own lawyer. It is unethical for an attorney to represent both sides in any dispute, and it’s simply not possible for a lawyer in that situation to be fair and objective.
You need your own women’s divorce attorney in Westerville to fight on your side. Your attorney will learn about your entire financial situation – and your husband’s – ask the right questions, and make sure your case is presented clearly and accurately to the judge. Remember: the judge decides who gets what and how much in the divorce, not your husband.
How Does the Court Decide Who To Give Custody To?
Your children are important to you, and this issue of who has custody of the children is possibly the most important one to be determined. In most cases, the court will expect you and your husband to work out a plan to share responsibility for the children. The ideal is always for the parents to share both legal and physical custody, meaning parents share time with the children in their respective homes and make decisions together about how to care for the children.
Two other common custody arrangements are sole legal and joint physical custody, where parents share time with the children but only one parent is authorized to make decisions for the children about things like schooling, medical care, and religious instruction; and sole legal and physical custody, where only one parent has the right to see the children and make decisions for them.
You may want to fight for one of these arrangements if you believe your ex-husband is not a fit guardian. Alternatively, your husband may be trying to take the children from you. Whatever the situation, you need a skilled womens’ attorney to help you fight.
How Can I Get Ready to Fight for Custody?
Get Help
If you’re facing any serious custody battle, your first step must be to get a lawyer. That’s the best chance you have to prepare a case that will convince the judge.
Keep Records
You should also sit down and write everything you can remember about the past year: what did you do? What did your husband do (or not do)? Where did he show neglect and how have you cared for your children consistently and carefully? Keeping records will allow you to make a more powerful case.
Show Your Relationship
You might make a photo album or a memory book with pictures of you and your children having fun together, and write down what you know of your children, like favorite colors and foods and even little quirks. This kind of record shows a judge that you are intimately involved in your children’s daily life.
Record His Actions
If your husband has been abusive in any way, towards you or the children, be sure to note that as impassively as you can. Use specifics, not generalities, to show that you are recording facts and not exaggerated emotional outbursts (which is what your husband’s lawyer is likely to accuse you of doing!).
Document Arrangements
Finally, make sure you can prove how you’re arranging things in your children’s best interests. Gather proof of your stable job and living arrangements, child care and schooling arrangements, and the support network you have.
How Will Our Cars Be Divided in the Divorce?
In general, any cars you bought while you were married are considered marital property, and the judge will distribute them if you and your husband cannot come to an agreement about who gets what. You can ask to keep them, but so can your husband.
If you owned a car before you were married, it is not marital property and your husband has no right to it, even if he has paid insurance on it. Any car that was given to you as a gift is also not joint property. It belongs to you.
These are just a few common questions for women going through a divorce. If you have more questions about divorce, your rights, and how to get the best possible outcome, be sure to talk to a qualified attorney in your area as soon as possible.