Most Westerville divorce lawyers are experts in their fields, but not all will go the extra mile to protect your rights. What you need during this process is a professional who can serve as both an advocate and trusted confidante – in short, you need a divorce attorney for women. This person will manage the legal aspects of your divorce even as they provide guidance to help rebuild your life.
6 Things a Divorce Attorney for Women in Westerville Specializes In
1. Mediation
Mediation provides a unique alternative to trial and comes with a number of compelling benefits. It often eases the separation process by allowing both spouses to amicably decide their divorce details. An unbiased, independent mediator will listen to both of you and strive to equally serve your individual interests. All of this takes place in a low-stress environment. And less stress for you means less stress for the family, including your children.
Mediation can also save you money and help in the fair division of assets, child visitation, and other concerns. The process is designed to be flexible, efficient, and quick – unlike going to court, which can drag painfully for months or even years. And your attorney will remain by your side throughout mediation, regardless of the number of sessions needed to hammer out details.
2. Child Custody Arrangements
Couples settle more than 90% of child custody cases without the intervention of the family court. In other words, a judge rarely determines custody arrangements. Having an experienced women’s divorce attorney in Westerville ensures your rights are protected during this vital process.
The right attorney will advocate on your behalf while negotiating with your spouse’s lawyer. If your case does go before a judge, that same attorney will confidently present your case with relevant information in hand.
3. Property Division
Property is divided according to the individual laws of each state. Courts in Ohio generally believe all assets accumulated during the marriage should be divided equally between both parties. The question of which spouse owns the asset is irrelevant. To illustrate, all funds put into a pension account during the marriage are commonly divided equally. The exception to this rule is a signed pre-marital agreement.
While Ohio law does recognize non-marital assets – such as those acquired before the marriage – proving them can be difficult without a paper trail of evidence. This is when your attorney can prove to be an invaluable resource. Using knowledge of the law and skillful negotiation strategies, they can help protect your personal assets and ensure all marital property is properly accounted for and split.
4. Spousal Support
The judge will need to sign any support arrangement you and your spouse decide upon. If the two of you cannot reach a polite agreement, the court will decide what’s fair for both of you. This means you will need a convincing argument to support your claim for spousal support, and a divorce attorney for women will help craft just that. Specifically, your lawyer will develop answers to these key questions:
- Can your spouse afford to pay you support?
- How long were you married?
- How much do you need to live as you did during the marriage?
5. Orders of Protection
Ohio offers two kinds of protection orders. A temporary ex parte order is granted on the day you file your petition to provide immediate protection from an abusive spouse (or partner). Immediate danger includes situations in which you have been threatened with a sexual offense or bodily harm, or in which your spouse has previously been convicted of domestic violence against you.
An ex parte order will last until your civil protection order hearing, which typically occurs within seven to 10 days. At that hearing, a civil protection order (CPO) can be granted and last up to five years. You will need evidence of violence to obtain either protection order. Likewise, you’ll also need a safe place to stay until one of the orders is in place. An attorney can help with both matters and diffuse tension during the divorce process.
6. Post-Divorce Legal Assistance
Legal issues can persist even after your divorce is finalized. But a lawyer can help you navigate tasks that include:
- Changing your name
- Transferring property
- Relocating to a different state or country
- Managing tax obligations
It’s important you know paying or receiving alimony as well as distributing assets and investments can pose tax consequences. A divorce lawyer recognizes these nuances and can offer critical advice. They can also help you understand how moving and/or remarrying will impact alimony, child custody arrangements, and your right to visitation. Such guidance can help you make the best decisions possible for you and your family.
Going through a divorce is a life-changing experience. It’s also a complex process that demands the skill and compassion of a qualified attorney. Not just any attorney, but one who understands the unique issues women face when a marriage ends. They will help determine if mediation is right for your needs and also establish child custody arrangements, ensure the property is fairly divided, and provide assistance even after your divorce is complete.
