Continuing Dissolution of Marriage
In my last dissolution of marriage blog, I started with four of the top 9 things you should think about before speaking with an attorney about divorce. Today, I want to continue this appetizer for thought to use before consulting an attorney. You don’t need to have all of the answers, just be thinking about and have some knowledge of these things when you go for your first consultation. This will help your attorney gain a good, clear understanding of your case and save you some attorney’s fees by being prepared.
Top 9 Things to Consider When Seeing a Divorce Attorney (Cont.)
- Custody – Please read my blog Child Custody: How the courts decide in Tampa.
- Child Support – Typically, the courts will decide child support responsibilities based on a calculation that estimates how much support the child would have received if the family had stayed together and the child’s needs. That amount is then divided by income amongst the parents.
- Asset Documents Needed – You’ll need all information about your marital assets. Bank statements, taxes, investment statements, etc. You should also inventory your personal and family possessions and make a detailed household budget, so the courts can make a fair and equitable judgement on division of assets.
- Liabilities Documents Needed – You will need all of the documentation you can get on your marital debts, which are debts incurred during the marriage. (For example, student loans incurred prior to the marriage would not be a marital debt.) Especially important are things like mortgage documentation. There are many different ways the courts can handle the marital home and your lawyer will need to know details about your personal situation and your mortgage contract in order to council you. If you are considering a divorce, read my blog, Dissolution of Marriage: What are the most common mistakes I can avoid in a traditional adversarial divorce? Please, make sure you read it before you make a decision and inform your spouse.
- Accountants and Taxes – Taxes can change your life after a divorce. You may end up responsible for taxes on alimony, property transfers and with changes in deductions for dependents, you do not want to be blindsided by the tax man after your divorce has been finalized. Having an accountant work with your lawyer will help you avoid mistakes you cannot fix later.
Where to Turn for Dissolution of Marriage Help
If you are considering a dissolution of marriage, consult with a lawyer who has experience in collaborative divorce, mediation, and traditional adversarial divorce so you can receive insight on which type of divorce may be right for you. Seek out Tampa divorce attorneys with the knowledge you need. Seek out S. David Anton of Anton Legal Group!
David Anton is a third generation Tampa Bay attorney who has handled all aspects of dissolution actions since 1985.
To schedule your family law consultation, call the Anton Legal Group at 813-443-5249.