Divorce lawyers are zealous advocates for their client’s legal interests. People who attempt to go through a divorce without an attorney can miss deadlines, be unprepared for court or fail to properly complete paperwork.
Lawyers for divorce can also act as negotiators, helping their clients reach fair settlements in terms of property division, child custody, and alimony.
1. Objectivity
In the case of divorce, objectivity is critical to ensuring fair outcomes. Divorce lawyers can help their clients navigate the legal process and ensure that their rights are protected. They can also provide objective advice, free from emotional attachments, to ensure that their client makes rational decisions based on the facts of their case.
Moreover, divorce cases often involve complex and nuanced matters of law, which require professional objectivity to properly present. For example, a divorce attorney who doesn’t support same-sex marriages may struggle to represent those who do.
Similarly, the financial perspective of a divorce case requires objectivity to establish a fair settlement. For instance, the division of marital property must take into account each spouse’s unique contributions to the relationship. To achieve this, a broker price opinion (BPO) must be obtained to provide an objective assessment of the property’s value. This eliminates any biases or subjective opinions that could lead to unfairness. For this reason, it’s crucial for a couple to work with an experienced divorce lawyer.
2. Amicable Custody Arrangements
One of the main reasons people hire divorce attorneys is to help them with custody arrangements. Custody and visitation schedules are often contentious and emotional matters. Divorce lawyers in Harrisburg, PA have the experience and knowledge to help their clients reduce drama and negotiate out-of-court settlements.
Divorce lawyers also know how to work with the courts and other family law professionals to ensure your rights are protected. They use their specialized training and skills to fight for what you deserve, including a fair division of assets and child custody.
They can also assist with divorce mediation and help you with other legal issues, such as child support and alimony. Hiring a divorce attorney to do the heavy lifting for you allows you to focus on your life and create the future you want to live in. You can rest assured that your lawyer will handle any communication with the opposing party, preventing you from saying anything you might regret later in court or during informal negotiations.
3. Keeps You Calm During High Emotions
Divorce proceedings are often emotional, especially when the issues at hand are
complicated and have long-term effects. An experienced divorce lawyer will know how to help their clients work through these emotions so that they can make logical choices about their future.
In addition, divorce attorneys have a wealth of knowledge about the court process and can shape their strategy based on how judges have ruled in the past. This can save time, money, and frustration when it comes to working through issues like child custody, property division, and alimony.
Additionally, divorce lawyers can also support their clients during alternative dispute resolution processes. This includes mediation. Spouses can become their own worst enemy during a divorce, leaving horribly profane voicemails for their soon-to-be ex, giving away personal property that belongs to their spouse, and other actions that can negatively impact their case in front of a judge. A good attorney can keep their client from acting out during a divorce process.
4. Keeps You Legal
Whether it’s property division, custody issues, or spousal support, a divorce lawyer can make sure that you don’t miss out on the assets and benefits that you are entitled to as a spouse. They will offer sound advice on the best ways to settle your case without going to court.
A good attorney will also have a solid understanding of how judges typically rule on specific issues in your area and be able to shape their negotiation strategy based on that knowledge. This can be particularly helpful in high conflict cases where there is a power imbalance or history of violence.
A good divorce lawyer will be an advocate for you and will look out for your interests, protecting your reputation. Some lawyers also offer mediation services, in which case they can legally assist both parties as a mediator, but then cannot continue to represent one or both of you in the legal process (in most states). This is called dual representation and is against the rules of professional conduct.