When a married couple decides to terminate their marriage, there are several legal aspects that must be settled. A divorce attorney handles these proceedings, including the separation of property, debt, custody of children and alimony. They prepare and file detailed paperwork for their clients in accordance with New York State law. This process is referred to as a “divorce” in legal terms, or a “matrimonial action.”
The role of a divorce attorney requires a substantial commitment of time and energy. The path to becoming a divorce lawyer begins with graduating from college and passing the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Once admitted to law school, prospective attorneys must complete several internships or clerkships in family law firms before graduating with a juris doctor degree. Then they must pass the bar exam in the states in which they intend to practice.
Choosing the right divorce attorney is an important decision. It is important to choose someone who you can trust and feel comfortable discussing sensitive issues. You will need to communicate regularly with your attorney, and you should be able to get answers to any questions you may have. A good divorce attorney will be attentive to your needs and willing to answer your calls or texts promptly. However, it is unrealistic to expect an attorney to be available 24 hours a day, as they likely have a full caseload of other clients.
A divorce can take from three to twelve months to finalize. This depends on the grounds of the divorce, whether it is contested or uncontested, and the extent to which the parties are able to reach an agreement. In a contested divorce, it is not unusual for the court to hold multiple hearings in order to decide complex issues.
The right divorce attorney will have a strong command of local laws and procedures. They will also be a competent negotiator and advocate in court. However, divorce cases can be very emotional and can easily degenerate into contentious litigation. If the spouses are unwilling to compromise, or if there are complicated financial or custody issues to resolve, a contested divorce can be extremely costly.
When selecting a divorce attorney, it is helpful to seek recommendations from friends and family who have recently been through a divorce. It is also a good idea to do an online search for divorce lawyers in your area. While the number of results that appear can be overwhelming, it is possible to narrow your search by entering a specific type of divorce process in the search query. This can help you limit your options to attorneys who specialize in the type of divorce process that matches your circumstances. This can save you a lot of time and money in the long run. In addition, it can eliminate some of the less qualified candidates from your list. In the end, the most important factor is hiring a competent, compassionate and experienced divorce attorney who you are comfortable working with. Scheidungsanwalt