My approach to your case
Once you have reached agreements on every single thing, and then I can draft your paperwork to reflect your agreements in order for it all go smoothly, with the costs explained up front and without any unnecessary stress or drama.
Although I help my clients reach agreements quickly and simply, reaching an amicable split can be challenging. The approach requires you and your soon-to-be-ex to work with each other so I can put those agreements into your final paperwork. Here are the basic steps:
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Step 3
I will reach back out to you by phone or email. I usually respnd between 9 and 430 M-TH and between 9 and 2 on Fridays.
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Step 4
Once we have talked, I will email you a contract that I need you read carefully and sign.
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Step 5
I will send you an invoice for your payment or you can make your payment by clicking the link below. If you choose to set up a payment plan, I will email you every time when a payment is due
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Step 6
If you have a child or children, both sides need to schedule attendance at Children First. I need your certificates before I finalize your case.
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Step 7
Once you have signed your contract and made your payment, I will email you a list of items to have organized. this will help us be prepared for your intake
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Step 8
I will schedule a time to get the information I need so that we can draft your paperwork. This is usually done by phone or in Zoom
I use this form of communication with clients who live far away because it's convenient and cost effective.
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Step 9
When I finished the first draft, an email will be sent with links for reweiwing your documents and suggesting any changes.
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Step 10
Once your documents are perfect, I will email you before reaching out to your soon-to-be-ex.. This way there's no need for awkward conversation when it comes time notify them.
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Step 11
Once your soon-to-be-ex has had a chance to review the paperwork and suggest modifications, I will get them ready for you both to sign.
The Courts prefer that the Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage, the Marital Settlement Agreement and Parenting Plan (if you have one) are notarized. If you want to use an in-person notary, I will either mail your documents or put them in a secured pick-up box, which can be accessed 24 hours a day. If you want to use an online notary, I will email you a referral.
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Step 12
After you and your soon-to-be ex sign all the necessary papers and return them to me, I will file them with local Court Clerk. When they are ready for the Judge I will get the Judge's signatures. The Clerks then will process the papers signed by the Judge and send me copies. After I scan copies for your dropbox, I will mail you a copy as well.
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Step 13
I will then complete anything else, like getting official copies for a name change, starting child support or recording a new deed for your house.
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Step 14
Now you can start your journey towards your post-divorce life!
You have to stop thinking, "but it's mine because I paid for it", "I want revenge" , "I do not owe him or her anything because s/he left", or "its the principle of the thing". If you do, you will end up with an unpleasant and epensive divorce process.
Divorce proceedings are very hard for everyone involved. If you cannot do all of this in one attempt, take several tries at it.
Many parents get stuck on the title of being the custodial parent. The legislature has changed the law, removing the title of 'custodial parent' and, instead, calling it an allocation of parental responsibilities. No matter what you call it, what it means is who spends time with your children, how they see both of their parents, and how parents make decisions for them. The reason that some parents get stuck on the title is because they think that being the custodial parent means that they get child support. Other parents think that sharing the kids 50/50 means they will not have to pay support. Neither of these is true. There are cases in which the parent with more time pays support to the other parent. There are cases in which the parents share time, and one parent still has to pay support. Finally, some parents want the title of custody for no other reason than control. They think if they have custody, they can determine if their child sees the other parent and when. This is not the truth either. Having custody of your child is not the opportunity to control them. Children need both parents. Think about your children, what they want, and how to ensure that you can both be a part of their lives.
If you can settle your case, do so, even if it does not turn out quite like what you wanted. There are several different ways to resolve your divorce issues. Mediation is an excellent way to reach an agreement without going to court or hiring lawyers. Collaborative law also allows the spouses to work together to make decisions about their children and property division. Besides helping with the stress of the legal process, these methods take less time and save you a lot of money that could be better spent on something else like affording child care, your children's college or your future.
If you think that you cannot come to any agreements with your soon-to-be-ex, the average attorney charges about $300 per hour. You will pay for every call and email. Lawyers.com suggests you will spend $11,000 or more getting divorced. I have outlined a typical divorce here. And with all of that money going out, it is possible that you will end up with nothing or very little.
What most people actually experience is this: hiring attorneys to get the Court to resolve every issue creates more stress than it relieves and it takes longer to finalize your divorce than you had expected. Attorneys are expensive and you are letting someone else decide your future.
