You marry the love of your life. You were both happy, but now the honeymoon phase is over.
There’s constant arguing and fighting. There’s a chance that your marriage is heading for a breakup.
In fact, statistics show that between 40%-50% of marriages end in divorce.
Are you thinking of filing for a divorce? If so, it’s a good idea to hire a divorce lawyer.
Of course, there are several things you have to tell the divorce lawyer. Being honest with your divorce lawyer will help the process to go smoother.
Read this article to learn which things you should tell your divorce lawyer.
You Don’t Want a Divorce
First of all, you must be honest with your divorce lawyer. Think about these questions:
- Do you truly want to get a divorce?
- Did you make a rash decision after a major fight?
- Do you want to reconcile with your spouse?
- Are you hiring a divorce lawyer to show your spouse you’re serious about the marriage?
These are some of the factors that might be influencing your decision to seek a divorce.
You Have a Prenuptial Agreement
So, there’s a signed prenuptial agreement? This is great news if you’re seeking to select and take control of your assets and property.
It’s also a great way to avoid arguments after a divorce.
You must tell your lawyer if there is one in place. Your lawyer will review it to help make the case on your behalf.
This way you can clarify your financial rights and protect yourself from debts.
Did you verbally agree to a prenuptial agreement? If you did, you must inform your lawyer. This includes any agreement that you both signed on a piece of paper or napkin.
Yes, even verbal prenuptial agreements count. The courts do sometimes acknowledge them, so it’s beneficial that you talk about this with your lawyer.
A prenuptial agreement can change the outcome of your case.
The Legal Status of You or Your Spouse
What happens if you or your spouse aren’t American citizens? This is where a divorce case can get tricky. After a marriage ends, your legal status can change.
If you aren’t yet an American citizen, you’ll want to bring this up. Your divorce lawyer will need to know about this.
The lawyer will give you information to help know what you have to do after the divorce becomes final.
There are immigration laws the lawyer will go over with you.
Take them into account if you want to maintain or change your legal status. The last thing that you want is to get in legal trouble.
You Have Hidden Assets
Do you have any assets that you never told your spouse about? It’s never a good idea to keep assets hidden from a spouse. In several states, there are even laws against this.
Refusal to disclose assets during the divorce process can lead to legal issues.
The court can issue penalties. You might even face jail time for your actions.
Tell your divorce lawyer if you’re hiding money or anything else from your spouse. Your lawyer needs to know this.
If you’re worried about losing your money, the lawyer can help you find options to protect it. There’s no need to resort to dishonest or illegal actions.
The fact that you’re hiding assets from your spouse will certainly come out. This can happen during the “discovery” phase of the divorce trial.
There’s no need for you to experience embarrassment or legal trouble for this action.
History of Abuse
If you were the victim of abuse during your marriage, you must tell your lawyer. Yes, it can be difficult to talk about it, but you must disclose any history of abuse.
Spousal abuse is a form of domestic violence. It can include physical, verbal, and emotional abuse.
If you were a victim, you can seek protection from your spouse.
Your lawyer can help you get a temporary restraining order through the court.
This will prevent your spouse from coming in contact with you. It can also give you some peace of mind during and after the divorce process.
Spousal abuse can also influence the outcome of your divorce case. The court might rule in your favor. It can help increase your chances of getting alimony.
The lawyer will seek to make a solid case for you if you were the victim of abuse.
Provide as much detail as you can. This includes pictures of injuries and police reports if they came to your house to resolve a domestic abuse situation.
Infidelity
Did you or your spouse cheat on one another? Past or present sexual infidelity needs to be disclosed.
No matter how sensitive the information is, the lawyer needs to know about it.
This type of misconduct can influence the division of property. The lawyer will know how this can affect your case, as laws differ in each state.
The information can influence how the court decides on marital funds. It will also play a role in the decision about child custody.
If you are seeking a divorce, you’ll need to hire a good divorce lawyer. Contact Litvak Litvak Mehrtens and Carlton, P.C to speak with a divorce lawyer about your case.
Tell Your Divorce Lawyer All Relevant Information
Going through the divorce process is never easy. If you hire one, you must tell your divorce lawyer all relevant information. In this case, honesty is always the best policy.
Your divorce case will depend on the information you give your divorce lawyer.
You must give the lawyer information to support your case so you can get the outcome you want.
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